GENTAMICIN ONCE-DAILY VERSUS THRICE-DAILY IN CHILDREN

Fifty children aged 3 months-16 y with Gram-negative bacterial infecti ons, were evaluated in this open randomized study; 26 received gentami cin 4.5 mg/kg/day, once daily, and 24 received the same daily dosage, in three divided doses. The groups had similar demographic and clinica l characteristics. Serum trough gentamicin concentrations were signifi cantly lower in the od group than in the tds group, while peak concent ration were significantly higher in the od group. Clinical cure was ob tained in 23 of the 26 (88.8%) children who received gentamicin once d aily, and in 22/24 (91%) children treated thrice daily. Microbiologica l cure was obtained in 10/10 (100%) and 12/13 (92%) of the evaluated c ases. Nephrotoxicity was not observed but ototoxicity occurred in two children in each group. These results, although obtained from a small number of patients, showed a similar outcome in children receiving gen tamicin 45 mg/kg/day whether administered once or thrice daily.