The use of pharmacokinetically guided carboplatin chemotherapy in a pre-term infant with neuroblastoma-associated spinal cord compression.

Neonatal neuroblastoma may require chemotherapy either due to mass effect or unfavourable cytogenetics. This case focuses on using pharmacokinetic (PK) guided chemotherapy to treat neonatal neuroblastoma. A newborn baby was noted to have left leg immobility. Imaging showed a retroperitoneal tumour with spinal canal extension causing spinal cord compression. PK-guided carboplatin was given after conventionally dosed chemotherapy demonstrated no improvement. After initiation of PK therapy, clinical and radiological improvement was seen. We discuss our decision to use PK-guided chemotherapy despite guidelines recommending weight-based dosing and discuss the benefits in terms of clinical efficacy without increased toxicity.