title: Prostaglandin E1 therapy. Is it associated with a higher incidence of wound infection in the cyanotic neonate?
abstract: Prostaglandin (PGE1) may be used to maintain ductal patency in the infant with cyanotic congenital heart disease, but the risk of infection may be increased. Between October, 1976 and December, 1982, 38 neonates with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease required operations creating systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts. Of 13 patients who did not receive PGE1 therapy, none developed a wound infection. Of 25 patients who did receive PGE1 therapy, four (16 percent) developed a significant wound infection. The two patient groups were similar when compared by age and weight at operation, by severity of heart disease and by the presence of other congenital anomalies. Pathogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis was recovered from all infected wounds, all of which responded favorably over a period of two to four weeks with a short course of antibiotics and wound debridement.
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D000527:Alprostadil