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Effect of domperidone on QT interval in neonates

Djamal Djeddi1, Guy Kongolo, Charlotte Lefaix

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, School Hospital of Amiens, Amiens, France. djeddi.djamal-dine@chu-amiens.fr

The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Oral domperidone can prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval in infants, particularly those with advanced gestational age and higher serum potassium levels. No ventricular arrhythmias were observed in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal pharmacology
  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Clinical electrocardiology

Background:

  • Domperidone is frequently used in neonates and infants.
  • Potential cardiac side effects of domperidone require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between oral domperidone and QT interval prolongation in neonates and infants.
  • To identify factors influencing domperidone-induced QTc changes.
  • To evaluate the risk of ventricular arrhythmia with domperidone use.

Main Methods:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) performed before and after oral domperidone administration.
  • 31 neonates and infants were studied, categorized by gestational age.
  • Analysis included univariate and multivariate assessments of influencing factors.

Main Results:

  • Oral domperidone was associated with QTc prolongation (mean 14 msec) in infants with gestational age ≥ 32 weeks.
  • Gestational age and serum potassium were identified as risk factors on univariate analysis.
  • Serum potassium was the sole independent predictor of QTc prolongation on multivariate analysis.
  • No ventricular arrhythmias were detected during the study.

Conclusions:

  • Oral domperidone therapy is significantly associated with QTc prolongation in infants.
  • Advanced gestational age and elevated serum potassium are key risk factors.
  • Pre- and post-treatment QT interval measurements are recommended for infants receiving oral domperidone.
Abstract

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