Evolution of empiric vancomycin dosing in a neonatal population.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, we assessed the effectiveness of our neonatal vancomycin empirical dosing regimen (15-45 mg/kg/day) which led to development of a revised regimen (20-60 mg/kg/day).

OBJECTIVE: To validate the revised empirical vancomycin dosage regimen in achieving target troughs.

METHODS: The primary outcome of this multicenter retrospective before-and-after cohort study was the proportion of neonates in the present cohort achieving trough levels below, at or above target (<10, 10-20 and >20 mg/L). Secondary outcomes included difference between cohorts (historical and present) in mean troughs and proportion of patients achieving target levels.

RESULTS: Out of 118 participants, 63 (53.39%) achieved target troughs, 44 (37.29%) had below target troughs and 11 (9.32%) reached above target levels. Mean trough levels and proportion of patients achieving target levels were higher in the present versus historical cohort (p < 0.01 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS: The revised empiric dosing regimen was more effective in achieving target serum trough concentrations.