Renal and Auditory toxic effects of amikacin in children with cancer.

Amikacin sulfate was given to 21 febrile children with neutropenia and cancer for 9 +/- 3 days. Peak serum amikacin levels ranged between 13 and 32 microgram/mL, and trough levels were consistently less than 2 microgram/mL. Renal toxic effects were detected in two children (9.5%) and were extremely mild. Two additional children (16.5%) experienced mild, transient, unilateral, high-frequency hearing losses. The lack of serious renal and auditory impairment suggests that children are at less risk than adults from aminoglycoside therapy.