Enzymuria in neonates receiving continuous intravenous infusion of gentamicin

Urinary excretion of the tubular enzymes NAG and AAP was investigated during gentamicin treatment of 105 newborn infants. The values found for NAG and AAP show a significant positive correlation. The urinary excretion of NAG was on the average 92% higher during gentamicin treatment as compared with non‐treatment periods in the same newborn infant (33 infants). The same tendency applied to AAP. Newborn infants receiving continuous intravenous infusion of gentamicin were not found to be at greater risk of nephrotoxicity than those receiving intermittent gentamicin treatment, using NAG and AAP as an index of nephrotoxicity. The changes in NAG and AAP within treatment periods were studied. During gentamicin treatment an insignificant average increase in the urinary excretion of NAG occurred, whereas a significant decrease was found during non‐treatment periods. A significant negative correlation was found between urinary excretion of NAG and birth weight/gestational age. The long‐term effect of the higher excretion of NAG and AAP in newborn and adult patients during aminoglycoside treatment is unknown.