Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(12): 1079-1086
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1371361
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Colistin in Preterm Infants with Nosocomial Sepsis Caused by Acinetobacter baumannii

Serdar Alan
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Duran Yildiz
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Omer Erdeve
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Ufuk Cakir
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Dilek Kahvecioglu
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Emel Okulu
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Can Ates
2   Depatrment of Biostatistics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Begum Atasay
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
,
Saadet Arsan
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 January 2014

21 January 2014

Publication Date:
28 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Objectives To describe the efficacy of intravenous colistin on clinical and microbiological outcomes in preterm infants with nosocomial sepsis in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and define adverse events observed with this treatment.

Methods The records of preterm infants who received colistin with or without positive cultures in the NICU were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated for response to therapy and side effects.

Results A total of 21 preterm infants with medians of 28 weeks (23–36) gestational age and 870 g (620–2,650) birth weight were included. The median duration and dose of colistin therapy were 9 days (3–26) and 3 mg/kg/d (2–5). Recovery rate in patients including all with/without positive culture was 81% (17/21). Microbiological clearance by colistin was 69% (9/13). The major side effect observed was acute kidney injury (19%). At least 24% of infants required electrolyte supplementation during the colistin therapy. Magnesium levels were significantly lower at the end of the colistin therapy (p < 0.001). Acute kidney injury and electrolyte disturbances including hypomagnesemia were reversible in all surviving patients.

Conclusion We suggest that renal function tests and serum electrolytes should be monitored closely and replaced in case of any need during the colistin therapy in preterm infants.