title: Acute effects of gentamicin on urinary electrolyte excretion in neonates.
abstract: It has recently been shown that a single dose of gentamicin causes immediate and transient calcium and magnesium renal wasting in adults. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effect of gentamicin administration on renal electrolyte handling in preterm and full-term neonates. Twenty-three neonates treated with gentamicin for suspected infection were enrolled in the study. Serum and 3-h urine electrolytes were measured before and immediately after gentamicin infusion on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 7th day of treatment. Serum gentamicin levels were monitored. Gentamicin caused a statistically significant post-infusion increase in fractional excretion of sodium and magnesium and in the urine calcium to urine creatinine ratio. Potassium and phosphate fractional excretion remained unchanged. The disturbances in electrolyte excretion were observed in full-term as well as in preterm neonates. Serum electrolyte levels remained unchanged. In conclusion, therapeutic doses of gentamicin result in urinary loss of sodium, calcium, and magnesium in neonates immediately after the infusion of the drug. These electrolyte changes may be of clinical importance, especially for sick preterm neonates.
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Clinic, Child Health Department, University of Ioannina Medical School, PO Box 1186, Ioannina 451 10, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Giapros
authors.forename: Vasilios I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Cholevas
authors.forename: Styliani K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Andronikou
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004573:Electrolytes; D005839:Gentamicins