title: Continuous insulin intravenous infusion therapy for VLBW infants.
abstract: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants less than 1,000 g often experience hyperkalemia and hyperglycemia during the initial hospital course. Hyperkalemia has been noted in 44% to 50% of infants less than 800 g birth weight or less than 28 to 29 weeks' gestation. Hyperglycemia occurs 18 times more frequently in infants less than 1,000 g than in those weighing more than 2,000 g. Insulin has been used for VLBW infants less than 1,000 g to manage hyperkalemia, control hyperglycemia, and optimize parenteral nutrition. A protocol for using exogenous insulin therapy for VLBW infants is described.
authors.affiliation: Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center, Doernbecher Children's/Oregon Health Sciences University Hospitals, Portland, USA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ditzenberger
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Binder
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin