Related Experiment Videos
Relation of gastric distention to prostaglandin therapy in neonates
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0084, USA.
Insights
Prostaglandin therapy in neonates can cause short-term gastric distention, which resolves upon discontinuation. This finding may predict feeding intolerance with prolonged treatment in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Prostaglandin therapy is crucial for managing congenital heart disease in neonates.
- Gastric effects of prostaglandins in this population require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the short-term gastric effects of prostaglandin therapy in neonates.
- To determine the relationship between prostaglandin-induced gastric distention and feeding intolerance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of radiographs from nine neonates with congenital heart disease receiving prostaglandins.
- Comparison with eighteen matched control infants (healthy and noncyanotic congenital heart disease) not receiving prostaglandins.
Main Results:
- Four of nine neonates developed persistent gastric distention within 48 hours of prostaglandin initiation.
- Two neonates with initial asymptomatic gastric distention later developed feeding intolerance with prolonged therapy.
- Gastric distention resolved in all cases upon cessation of prostaglandins; control group showed no significant findings (P < .01).
Conclusions:
- Persistent, asymptomatic gastric distention is a potential short-term effect of prostaglandin therapy in neonates.
- This finding typically resolves with prostaglandin discontinuation and may not require intervention.
- Early gastric distention could be a predictor of feeding intolerance in neonates receiving prolonged prostaglandin treatment.
Purpose:
To evaluate the short-term gastric effects of prostaglandin therapy in neonates.
Materials And Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed the radiographs of nine neonates with congenital heart disease who received prostaglandins during the 1st week of life. Eighteen matched control infants (nine healthy neonates and nine infants with noncyanotic congenital heart disease) who did not receive prostaglandins were also evaluated.
Results:
Within 48 hours of initial prostaglandin therapy, persistent (>3 days) gastric distention was noted in four of nine infants. No infants developed feeding intolerance during the 1st week of life; two of nine infants (both with initial asymptomatic gastric distention) developed feeding intolerance with prolonged prostaglandin therapy. In all cases, gastric distention resolved with cessation of prostaglandins. The radiographs of the control infants were unremarkable (P < .01).
Conclusion:
Persistent, asymptomatic gastric distention can be seen in neonates within 48 hours of initiation of prostaglandin therapy. Intervention is not warranted; this finding resolves with cessation of prostaglandins. Early gastric distention may be predictive of feeding intolerance in infants who receive prolonged prostaglandin therapy.