How to calculate gentamicin dose for newborn?

Important Medical Disclaimer: I am a neonatal nurse practitioner, but this information is for educational purposes only. Gentamicin dosing for newborns MUST be done by healthcare professionals using hospital protocols and monitoring.General principles for neonatal gentamicin dosing:- Weight-based - typically mg/kg- Gestational age and postnatal age dependent- Extended interval dosing common in neonates- Therapeutic drug monitoring essentialCommon dosing guidelines:- <29 weeks gestation: 4-5 mg/kg every 24-48 hours- 30-34 weeks: 4-5 mg/kg every 24 hours- >34 weeks: 4-5 mg/kg every 18-24 hoursCritical factors:- Renal function (serum creatinine levels)- Fluid status- Concomitant medications- Infection severityMonitoring requirements:- Peak and trough levels- Renal function tests- Hearing assessments (gentamicin is ototoxic)The dosing is complex and requires careful calculation based on the specific hospital's protocol. The Red Book from American Academy of Pediatrics provides detailed guidelines that most hospitals reference, but individual institutions often have their own customized protocols.This is absolutely not something to calculate at home - neonatal medication errors can have serious consequences.