[Validation of the immunological method of kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) for the determination of phenytoin in saliva at the Hospital de Niños de Santísima Trinidad.].

Phenytoin (DFH), is an anticonvulsant widely used for the treatment of different types of seizures.(1) Therapeutic monitoring (TDM) is required for DFH due to its narrow therapeutic range and nonlinear pharmacokinetics, among other characteristics. Monitoring is frequently done on plasma or serum (total drug) through immunological methods. DFH can also be monitored in saliva, which shows a good correlation with plasma. The concentration of DFH in saliva reflects the concentration of free drug and due to the simplicity in its collection, it leads to a less stressful process for the patient. The aim of this study was to validate the immunological method of kinetic interaction of microparticles in solution (KIMS) for the determination of DFH using saliva as biological matrix. Linearity, precision, detection and quantification limit, accuracy and interference were analyzed. Infostat 8.0 student version software was used for statistical analysis. The method was linear in a range between 0.41 and 5ug/ml. The detection and quantification limits were 0.14 and 0.45ug/ml, respectively. The equation of the straight line obtained based on the method comparison between KIMS and HPLC-UV was DFHKIMS= 0,81* DFHHPLC – 0,03.  The KIMS method proved to have the necessary analytical characteristics to be applied as a useful and practical tool for the follow-up of those patients with difficult venous access and/or children with chronic DFH treatments.