ENZYMURIA IN NEONATES RECEIVING CONTINUOUS INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION OF GENTAMICIN

Urinary excretion of the tubular enzymes NAG and AAP was investigated during gentamicin treatment of 105 newborn infants. The values found f or NAG and AAP show a significant positive correlation. The urinary ex cretion of NAG was on the average 92% higher during gentamicin treatme nt as compared with non-treatment periods in the same newborn infant ( 33 infants). The same tendency applied to AAP. Newborn infants receivi ng continuous intravenous infusion of gentamicin were not found to be at greater risk of nephrotoxicity than those receiving intermittent ge ntamicin treatment, using NAG and AAP as an index of nephrotoxicity. T he changes in NAG and AAP within treatment periods were studied. Durin g gentamicin treatment an insignificant average increase in the urinar y excretion of NAG occurred, whereas a significant decrease was found during non-treatment periods. A significant negative correlation was f ound between urinary excretion of NAG and birth weight/gestational age . The long-term effect of the higher excretion of NAG and AAP in newbo rn and adult patients during aminoglycoside treatment is unknown.