Introduction:
The vestibulotoxic effect of aminoglycosides, especially gentamicin, has already been
identified. Nevertheless gentamicin is a guideline-appropriate and potent medication
for perinatal sepsis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess a potential
vestibulotoxic effect from perinatal gentamicin therapy in infants using the video
head impulse test (vHIT).
Patients and methods:
Vestibular function was assessed using vHIT to evaluate horizontal semicircular canal
function in 17 children who perinatally underwent a five-day intravenous therapy with
gentamicin. Outcome measures included gain and the occurrence of refixational saccades.
Results:
All of the tested children revealed a normal gain in vHIT. Moreover, pathologic catch-up
saccades could not be identified.
Conclusion:
Perinatal intravenous gentamicin therapy does not seem to cause a permanent vestibulotoxic
effect in children. Nevertheless, further research in a larger cohort is needed to
detect a possible vestibulotoxic effect.
