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Erythromycin treatment for gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants

P C Ng1, T F Fok, C H Lee

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|April 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Oral erythromycin effectively treated severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants, enabling full enteral feeding within two weeks. This approach offers a potential alternative to prolonged parenteral nutrition in select cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Severe gastrointestinal dysmotility is a significant challenge in preterm infants.
  • Prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with serious complications.
  • Establishing enteral feeding is crucial for preterm infant development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral erythromycin for severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.
  • To assess the safety and tolerance of erythromycin in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A case series of seven preterm infants with severe intestinal dysmotility.
  • Infants were treated with oral erythromycin in a tertiary neonatal center.
  • Six of the seven infants were of very low birthweight.

Main Results:

  • All seven infants responded positively to oral erythromycin treatment.
  • No adverse effects were observed during the treatment period.
  • Full enteral feeding was achieved within 1-2 weeks of initiating erythromycin therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Oral erythromycin may be a viable therapeutic option for preterm infants with severe gastrointestinal dysmotility who fail to establish enteral feeding.
  • This treatment could reduce the need for prolonged TPN and its associated risks.
  • Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish the definitive role of erythromycin in treating intestinal dysmotility in preterm infants.
Abstract

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