Does gentamicin cause hearing loss in newborns?
Benefits for newborns However, researchers know that aminoglycosides like gentamicin are associated with hearing loss. As a consequence, infants in neonatal intensive care units, where aminoglycosides are used, have rates of hearing loss at least six times higher than among otherwise healthy full-term babies.
Can gentamicin cause hearing loss?
Physicians should monitor both auditory and vestibular function when aminoglycosides, especially gentamicin, must be used. Aminoglycosides can cause permanent damage to inner ear hair cells, resulting in hearing loss (cochleotoxicity) and/or vestibular disturbances such as disequilibrium (vestibulotoxicity).
How common is hearing loss with gentamicin?
Reported hearing loss from gentamicin-induced cochleotoxicity ranges from 0% to 27%; however, these findings should be considered with caution because of difficulties with defining the criteria for ototoxicity and variability in audiological measurement across studies.
Is gentamicin ototoxicity reversible?
Gentamicin ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss or deranged vestibular function, has been widely reported and is often irreversible.
Is gentamicin safe for infants?
Gentamicin is routinely used in neonatal intensive care to treat bacterial infection. However, this drug is ototoxic. Hearing loss is more prevalent in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation than in term neonates. However, harmful effects occur in all infants.
Which antibiotic is most likely to cause damage to the ear?
Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, are a type of antibiotic which are very effective in treating life-threatening bacterial infections, but that have serious side effects. These antibiotics are highly toxic to the kidney and ear.
Why does gentamicin cause ototoxicity?
Aminoglycosides appear to generate free radicals within the inner ear, with subsequent permanent damage to sensory cells and neurons, resulting in permanent hearing loss. Two mutations in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene have been previously reported to predispose carriers to aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity.
What are two serious side effects of gentamicin?
Serious side effects of gentamicin include:
- Ringing or roaring sounds in the ear.
- Hearing loss.
- Dizziness.
- An unusual decrease in the amount of urine while using gentamicin injection (pediatric)
How is ototoxicity treated?
Aminoglycoside antibiotics, platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, loop diuretics, macrolide antibiotics, and antimalarials are the commonly used ototoxic drugs [2] with well-documented efficacy against various infections and malignancies in children and adults.
Why is gentamicin used in neonates?
Gentamicin is routinely used in neonatal intensive care to treat bacterial infection. However, this drug is ototoxic. Hearing loss is more prevalent in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation than in term neonates.
Is gentamicin ear drop safe for babies?
For ear drops dosage form: For ear infections: Adults and children 6 years of age and older—Place three or four drops in the infected ear three times a day. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Is gentamicin ototoxic?
Gentamicin is a member of the family of antibiotics called aminoglycosides. All aminoglycosides are ototoxic.