In vitro effect of indomethacin on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in preterm infants

Random motility and chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was evaluated after in vitro exposure to 0, 300, 600, and 900 ng/mL (0.84, 1.68, and 2.52 mumol/L) of indomethacin. PMN were obtained from cord blood of 22 preterm infants of less than 37 wk gestation. For comparison, PMN were obtained from cord blood of seven healthy full-term infants and from venous blood of 10 normal adults. In preterm infants, a significant decrease of random motility and chemotaxis of PMN was noted at all three drug concentrations; impairment of PMN function was dose dependent in the three groups (p < 0.0001), with the greatest effect seen at 900 ng/mL (2.52 mumol/L). Significant impairment of random motility was noted in full-term infants when compared with adults at all indomethacin concentrations and in chemotaxis at 300 and 600 ng/mL (0.84 and 1.68 mumol/L). The study indicates that indomethacin has an adverse effect on PMN random motility and chemotaxis, which is more pronounced in preterm infants.