Digital swelling following long-term administration of prostaglandin E1 in an infant

A premature infant with hypoplasia of the right heart and pulmonary arteries required treatment with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for 107 days prior to surgical intervention. Digital swelling was noted at 40 days of age. Swelling was measured by determining the ratio of the distal phalangeal depth to interphalangeal depth. The ratio declined from 1.16 to 0.94 in the first 64 days after treatment. We believe digital swelling is a reversible complication of PG therapy.