title: Variation in gentamicin and vancomycin dosage and monitoring in UK neonatal units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gentamicin and vancomycin are commonly used in neonatal units for the treatment of life-threatening infections. This study aimed to describe the dosage regimen and the approach to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for both antibiotics in units that participate in a UK neonatal network.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to all units across the Extended Neonatal Network, requesting details of each unit's dosing regimen and TDM practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 43 (of 114) units replied to the gentamicin questionnaire and 29 to the vancomycin questionnaire. Ten different gentamicin dosing regimens were used, depending on gestational age and weight. Most units (79%) followed British National Formulary for Children dosing guidance regarding vancomycin, but there were nine variations in TDM practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is significant variation in gentamicin and vancomycin dosing regimens and TDM guidance across a UK network of neonatal units. The development of standardized, evidence-based protocols should be prioritized.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. skadamba@sgul.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadambari
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharland
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D014640:Vancomycin