E-drug: IM antibiotics for neonates
---------------------------------------------
Dear E-drug,
Does anybody have any information regarding the efficacy or otherwise
of intramuscular antibiotics (particularly benzylpenicillin and
gentamicin) for treating sepsis in neonates?
This relates to the current practice in my hospital, particularly for
neonates with risk factors for sepsis eg prolonged rupture of
membranes but no other reason for intravenous access.
Yours
Adrian Sie
Adivasi Hospital
Gudalur, Nilgiris
India
adrian@accord.ilban.ernet.in
[The WHO Integrated Management of Childhood Illness - IMCI -
recommendations are two IM antibiotics: gentamicin and benzyl
penicillin. Younger children are often infected with a broader range
of bacteria and this combination is effective against the broader
range. From IMCI: Give the first dose together then benzyl penicillin
every 6 hours and gentamicin every 8 hours for at least 5 days. BUT
for infants in the first week of life give gentamicin every 12 hours.
Dose: Gentamicin 2.5 mg/kg; benzylpencillin 50,000 IU /kg. BS]
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.