Pulmonary function and electrolyte balance following spironolactone treatment in preterm infants with chronic lung disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of spironolactone on dietary electrolyte supplementation, pulmonary function, and electrolyte balance in premature infants with chronic lung disease.


METHODS
A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was designed to study two groups of low birth weight infants with chronic lung disease at Pennsylvania Hospital. The placebo group received chlorothiazide and a placebo, and the spironolactone group received chlorothiazide and spironolactone during the 2-week study period. A two-tailed t-test was used to determine equivalence between the two groups.


RESULTS
Pulmonary compliance, resistance and tidal volume, serum sodium and potassium, and FIO2, were not statistically different between the two groups. The need for sodium and/or potassium chloride did not differ between the two groups, nor did the quantity of each salt.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of spironolactone did not reduce the requirement for supplemental electrolytes, nor did it improve pulmonary mechanics or electrolyte balance.
Hoffman
D J
DJ
Department of Neonatology, Reading Hospital Medical Center, West Reading, PA, USA.
Gerdes
J S
JS
Abbasi
S
S
D002908:Chronic Disease; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
D004232:Diuretics; D013148:Spironolactone