CLINICAL AND FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES ON INTRAVENOUS DRIP INFUSION OF GENTAMICIN IN THE PEDIATRIC FIELD PEDIATRIC STUDY GROUP OF GENTAMICIN

Abstract

A multiclinic study of gentamicin (GM) given by intravenous drip infusion was carried out by the Gentamicin Pediatric Study Group. The results are summarized as follows:
1. Upon intravenous drip infusion of GM at a dose range of 2.0-2.5mg/kg over a period of 0.5-1 hour, therapeutically effective serum concentrations of 4-12μg/ml were obtained. These values are similar to reported values in previous studies using GM intramuscular injection.
2. High urinary concentrations were observed up to 6 hours after administration, and the urinary recovery rate was approximately 60%.
3. Of a total of 142 cases collected, 117 cases were evaluated. Efficacy rates by diseases were: 100% in pneumonia (30/30), 98.3% in urinary tract infections (59/60), and 92.3% in other infections (skin and soft tissue)(12/13), with an overall efficacy rate of 94.9% (including 77 “excellent” cases).
4. Bacteriological examinations showed high eradication rates with the use of GM; i.e., 80% with Staphylococcus aureus (8/10), 60% with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3/5), 100% with Haemophilus influenzae (7/7) and 97.8% with Escherichia coli (44/45), achieving an overall eradication rate of 92.4%. In mixed infections, the eradication rate was 85.7% (6/7).
5. No ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity or allergic reactions was observed. Abnormal laboratory findings observed were: GOT elevation in 3.1% of cases, GPT elevation in 3.9%, platelet increase in 1.5% and eosinophil increase in 0.8%, thus an overall rate of the appearance of abnormality was 5.6%.
The above results indicate that an intravenous drip infusion of GM is a useful method for treating infections in pediatrics.