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Mediterranean Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences
https://www.mmj.org.ly/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo.18407734

Mediterranean Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Case report Clinical Pharmacy

Colistin use in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Algala Maternity Hospital

Nabila S. Hashad, Ebitsam M. Dribika, Fatma S. Ertrmi

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Abstract

Colistin, a polymyxin antibiotic, is commercially available in two forms: colistin sulphate (oral or topical powder) and colistimethate sodium (CMS) (parenteral formulation) [1]. When used for neonatal multidrug resistance-gram-negative infections (e.g., carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas), i.v. colistin is frequently effective (clinical response rate is 70.0%-90.0%) and is considered a last-resort option [2, 3]. However, pharmacokinetics in neonates differ from those in older children/adults. A number of pharmacokinetic studies suggest standard low doses may produce subtherapeutic plasma colistin concentrations. Some guidance recommends a loading dose strategy in neonates/infants [4-6]. The case studied is a 3.7 kg male post-emergency section term 38 weeks plus two days, 2025. An echo done and revealed a ventricular septal defect and a small left kidney medication start with ampicillin and cefotaxime as first-line prophylactic treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Algala Maternity Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. The subsequent medicines are described: Phenobarbitone for convulsion, and meropenem, amikacin as second line after C-reactive protein (CRP) was raised calcium gluconate 10.0% for hypocalcemia, furosemide and spironolactone for cardiac problem. Colistin was used in this stage because CRP raised again and there was no response to the third line of antibiotics [3, 7]. In the present case, the Clinical Pharmacists have the following issues regarding colistin use.

Keywords

Antibiotic, bacterial infection, Gram-negative bacteria, Libya, polymyxin

References

  1. Falagas ME, Kasiakou SK. Colistin: the revival of polymyxins for the management of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2005; 40(9): 1333-1341. doi: 10.1086/429323. Erratum in: Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2006; 42(12): 1819. Dosage error in article text. PMID: 15825037.
  2. Nakwan N, Chokephaibulkit K, Imberti R. The use of colistin for the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections in neonates and infants: A review of the literature. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 2019; 38(11): 1107-1112. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002448
  3. Antachopoulos C, Iosifidis E. Colistin use in neonates and children with infections due to carbapenem-resistant bacteria. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 2017; 36(9): 905-907. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001655
  4. Neonatal Medication Guideline – Colistin (Western Australia Department of Health)
  5. Hashad NS. Dosing in the neonatal intensive care unit. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(3): 61-62. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8393129
  6. Alouzi NA, Hashad NS ,Yamane MA. Drug utilization pattern in the NICU: A World Health Organization-Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification-based cross-sectional study. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2025; 5(3): 75-82. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.16970145
  7. Chibabhai V, Bekker A, Black M, Demopoulos D, Dramowski A, du Plessis NM, et al. Appropriate use of colistin in neonates, infants and children: Interim guidance. Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023; 38(1): 555. doi: 10.4102/sajid.v38i1.555

Submitted date:
11/02/2025

Reviewed date:
01/15/2026

Accepted date:
01/18/2026

Publication date:
01/28/2026

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