[Refractory hypoxemia in the newborn. Treatment with tolazoline]

Persiting pulmonary arterial hypertension, whether secondary to known lung disease or apparently idiopathic, may induce refractory hypoxaemia in the newborn. Tolazoline, pulmonary vasodilator of choice here, was used to treat this syndrome in 13 newborns. Therapeutic indications, precautions and possible side-effects are discussed.