Early postnatal allopurinol does not improve short term outcome after severe birth asphyxia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether postnatal allopurinol would reduce free radical induced reperfusion/reoxygenation injury of the brain in severely asphyxiated neonates.


METHODS
In an interim analysis of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study, 32 severely asphyxiated infants were given allopurinol or a vehicle within four hours of birth.


RESULTS
The analysis showed an unaltered (high) mortality and morbidity in the infants treated with allopurinol.


CONCLUSIONS
Allopurinol treatment started postnatally was too late to reduce the early reperfusion induced free radical surge. Allopurinol administration to the fetus with (imminent) hypoxia via the mother during labour may be more effective in reducing free radical induced post-asphyxial brain damage.
Benders
M J N L
MJ
Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center KE 4.123.1, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands. m.benders@azu.nl
Bos
A F
AF
Rademaker
C M A
CM
Rijken
M
M
Torrance
H L
HL
Groenendaal
F
F
van Bel
F
F
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D000493:Allopurinol