Changes of the physiological parameters of very low-birthweight infants with chronic lung disease treated with dexamethasone.
BACKGROUND
Dexamethasone is widely used for the treatment of chronic lung disease (CLD), but its mechanism of action is still not clearly understood.


METHODS
Respiratory status, bodyweight, blood pressure, urine volume, fluid intake and nutrient intake were investigated in 12 infants with CLD during treatment with dexamethasone.


RESULTS
The mean gestational age of the patients was 26.3 +/- 2.5 weeks and their mean birthweight was 807 +/- 232 g. Treatment with dexamethasone was started at a mean age of 41 +/- 23 days. The ventilatory index (VI) improved after treatment was started. Blood pressure and urine volume increased significantly after treatment, but weight gain was poor during this time. Fluid and nutrient intake did not change before and after treatment. The degree of improvement in the VI after treatment was significantly correlated with an increase in urine volume.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a rise in blood pressure as a result of dexamethasone treatment and the subsequent diuretic effect of this rise may play a role in improvement in respiratory status.
Takeuchi
Toshio
T
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Showa University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan. ttake@med.showa-u.ac.jp
Tanaka
Daisuke
D
Saikawa
Noriko
N
Satoh
Hiroyuki
H
Iwasaki
Jyunya
J
Inoue
Makoto
M
Narui
Kenji
K
Iikura
Yoji
Y
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone