Evaluating Adherence to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Guidelines for Gentamicin in Neonatal Care: A Retrospective Study at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Makkah

Abstract

In this study, we assess healthcare providers’ adherence to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) guidelines for gentamicin in neonates. Conducted at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from July 2020 to July 2022, it retrospectively analyzed the compliance of healthcare workers in managing neonates treated with gentamicin. Covering 410 neonates, primarily diagnosed with respiratory distress (56%) and sepsis (32%), the study revealed that while a majority of trough and peak levels conformed to guidelines, substantial deviations were noted in cases of respiratory distress. This underlines the necessity for targeted TDM strategies, particularly in managing respiratory distress in neonates, to ensure optimal treatment efficacy and safety. The findings urge stringent compliance with TDM guidelines, emphasizing personalized approaches in neonatal gentamicin therapy for improved healthcare outcomes.

Keywords

• gentamicin
• neonatal care
• therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
• respiratory distress