Neonatal Intensive Care Drug Manual

Aminoglycosides display concentration-dependent killing, suggesting higher peaks provide greater efficacy.(29, 30) While a peak aminoglycoside concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio of 8–10:1 is considered ideal, based on the usual MICs of Escherichia coli (range 0.25–1 mg/L) a peak of at least 5 mg/L has a high likelihood of being effective.(4, 30) Aminoglycosides display a post-antibiotic effect whereby bacterial growth is suppressed despite negligible drug concentrations.(31) Aminoglycosides have poor CNS penetration when administered intravenously.(32)