[Use of somatostatin in five neonates with chylothorax].
BACKGROUND
The addition of somatostatin to the conventional treatment of neonatal chylothorax has been described in isolated cases.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the results obtained in a series of five patients with neonatal chylothorax treated with somatostatin.


METHODS
Five neonates (gestational age range: 29-39 weeks) diagnosed with chylothorax of various etiologies were included. Chylothorax was congenital in two neonates, secondary to congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair in two neonates and secondary to thrombosis in the superior vein cava in one neonate. All the neonates were started on conservative therapy and intravenous somatostatin in distinct doses ranging from a bolus of 2 microg/kg/12 h to continuous perfusion at 10 microg/kg/h.


RESULTS
In all patients the chylous drainage was stopped. No adverse effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Somatostatin can be a safe and effective option in the treatment of both primary and secondary neonatal chylothorax refractory to conservative treatment.
González Santacruz
M
M
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Spain. mgonzalezsantacruz@yahoo.es
Tarazona Fargueta
J L
JL
Muñoz Alvarez
P
P
Mira Navarro
J
J
Jiménez Cobo
B
B
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013004:Somatostatin