Renal effects of d-tubocurarine and pancuronium in the newborn rabbit

The acute renal effects of d-tubocurarine and pancuronium were assessed in 14 anesthetized newborn rabbits. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF) were calculated from the inulin and p-aminohippuric acid clearances, respectively. Each animal acted as its own control. At doses used in human neonates, d-tubocurarine administration (0.80 mg/kg) produced a marked increase in renal vascular resistance (+123 +/- 62%) with a concomitant significant decrease in GFR (-35.4 +/- 12%) and RBF (-39 +/- 13%). Pancuronium administration (0.25 mg/kg) was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in GFR (-19 +/- 17%) and RBF (-20 +/- 12%) and an increase in renal vascular resistance (+66 +/- 52%). These results stress the need for careful monitoring of renal function in neonates receiving nondepolarizing muscle-relaxant agents.