Gentamicin in the clinical setting

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been a mainstay in pediatric care for decades. Although new antibiotics are constantly under development, gentamicin continues to play an important role in clinical medicine. Although this may be surprising in the context of evidence of an association with hearing loss, both on a toxicity and a genetic basis, there are important reasons why this drug continues to be used. In this review, we will address the clinical indications for the use of gentamicin in the pediatric population and other factors that contribute to its use in adults.