Safety of intravenous bolus administration of gentamicin in pediatric patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety of gentamicin administered intravenously as a bolus.


METHODS
All patients (n = 123, ages: up to 18y, 121; 21y, 1; 31y, 1) who received gentamicin intravenously as a bolus over a four-month period were studied retrospectively. Patient demographics, type of infection, dosing regimen, length of therapy, peak and trough serum concentrations, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urine output were reviewed. Patients were stratified into four groups and data analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
Mean initial dose (5.32 +/- 2.38 mg/kg/d) was consistent with established guidelines for age and kidney development, with subsequent adjustments based on serum concentrations. Susceptible organisms were eradicated with a mean length of therapy of 6.9 +/- 6.9 days (range 1-35). Patients received a median of nine doses: 42% received doses every eight hours and 33% received doses every 24 hours. No relationship between dosing and abnormal serum creatinine were found (p = 0.69). The estimated cost savings mainly from less nursing time and lower equipment and supply use were $50/patient with bolus administration of gentamicin.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous bolus administration was safe in pediatric patients and was associated with lower costs.
Robinson
R F
RF
College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1291, USA.
Nahata
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D003404:Creatinine