Unlocking the Dose Mystery

Did you know that the widely used antibiotic gentamicin is calculated based on a newborn's total body weight, which includes the weight of water in their body? However, here's an intriguing question: What happens when the water content in healthy newborns differs significantly from that in preterm infants? This disparity poses a challenge in determining the appropriate dose of gentamicin for severely unwell newborns. Given its water solubility and excretion through urine, understanding the variations in water content among different newborns becomes crucial. Let's delve into the fascinating intricacies of gentamicin dosing in relation to newborns' water composition.