[Neonatal cortical hyperostosis. A side effect of prolonged prostaglandin E1 infusion]

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusion is usually administered for short periods to maintain patency of ductus arteriosus in infants with cyanotic heart disease. Prolonged therapy may be necessary while patients are awaiting surgical treatment. Several side effects occur at the onset of the treatment, most of them reversible once the treatment is discontinued. Cortical hyperostosis is a frequent complication of prolonged PGE1 infusion. Objective is to determine the incidence and severity of cortical hyperostosis in newborn requiring prolonged prostaglandin E1 infusion. 61 newborn babies were admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bazterrica Clinic, Buenos Aires City, from January 2006 to May 2010. Five newborn received prolonged PGE1 therapy defined as a longer-than-one-week treatment. Four of them had radiologic evidence of cortical hyperostosis and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of this condition is critical to reduce unnecessary laboratory tests and to avoid cardiac surgery cancelling.