EVALUATION OF 3 ANTIBIOTIC PROGRAMS IN NEWBORN-INFANTS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 118  (6) , 659-662
Abstract
Emergence of gram-negative bacteria resistant to a number of antibiotics in intensive care nurseries for neonates emphasizes the need for alternatives in antibiotic combinations. One commonly used combination, gentamicin-ampicillin, and 2 newer combinations, tobramycin-cephalothin and amikacin-ampicillin, were evaluated prospectively in 60 newborns in such a nursery. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the above therapy groups. Dosages in mg/kg per day were 100 for ampicillin and cephalothin, 6 for gentamicin and tobramycin and 15 for amikacin. Aminoglycoside serum concentrations, clinical tolerance and toxicity were monitored. Aminoglycoside concentrations after i.v. administration of the drugs were within the expected range (gentamicin and tobramycin 4 to 6 .mu.g/ml and amikacin 15 to 20 .mu.g/ml). There was no hematologic, renal or hepatic toxicity attributable to antibiotic therapy and the combinations were tolerated equally; no bilirubin displacement was detected in vitro or in vivo.