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Effect of low-dose cisapride on gastric emptying and QTc interval in preterm infants

C Costalos1, A Gounaris, E Varhalama

  • 1Department of Neonatal Medicine, Regional General Hospital of Piraeus, Greece.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|February 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Low-dose cisapride (cisapride) significantly improved gastric emptying and shortened the QTc interval in very low birthweight infants. This study found cisapride safe and effective for improving infant gastric motility.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal dysmotility is common in very low birthweight infants.
  • Assessing the safety and efficacy of prokinetic agents is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate the effects of low-dose cisapride on gastric emptying and QTc interval.
  • To determine the safety profile of cisapride in very low birthweight infants.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, blind crossover study involving 20 very low birthweight infants.
  • Gastric emptying assessed ultrasonically after 24-hour administration of low-dose cisapride (0.1 mg/kg 8 hourly) or placebo.
  • QTc interval determined after a 7-day course of cisapride or placebo.

Main Results:

  • Cisapride significantly shortened gastric emptying time compared to placebo (p < 0.05).
  • Cisapride significantly shortened the QTc interval compared to placebo (p < 0.05).
  • No apparent adverse effects were observed in any infants.

Conclusions:

  • Low-dose cisapride administration significantly improves gastric emptying in very low birthweight infants.
  • Low-dose cisapride does not increase the QTc interval in this population.
  • Cisapride appears to be a safe and effective treatment for improving gastric motility in neonates.
Abstract

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