Allergic Reactions Associated with Intravenous Versus Intramuscular Pegaspargase: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Background: Pegaspargase (PEG-ASP) is essential chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Since changing to intravenous (IV) administration from intramuscular (IM), an increased number of allergic reactions have been anecdotally noted at our institution. This study compares the rate and severity of allergic reactions in children receiving IM or IV PEG-ASP.

Dose derivation of once-daily dosing guidelines for gentamicin in critically ill pediatric patients.

Objectives: To determine dose and eligibility criteria for once-daily dosing (ODD) of gentamicin in critically ill pediatric patients.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or Cardiac Critical Care Unit at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) who received traditionally dosed intravenous (IV) gentamicin (January 2008 to June 2010). Statistically significant patient characteristics associated with gentamicin pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were determined by multiple linear regression.