Spontaneous neonatal chylothorax treated with octreotide.
Chylothorax is the most common cause of pleural effusion causing respiratory distress in the neonate. Cases unresponsive to conservative management usually require surgery. We report a case of spontaneous neonatal chylothorax where surgery was avoided with the compassionate trail of octreotide. The chylothorax resolved promptly with no observed side effects. After reviewing the literature reporting the use of octreotide in the neonatal period, we found that neonates with isolated spontaneous chylothorax might be viewed as a group different from those with major cardiac malformations. They are at a lower risk for adverse effect of octreotide and lower threshold for commencement of octreotide may benefit them most.
Siu
Sylvia L Y
SL
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. siuly8888@hotmail.com
Lam
David S Y
DS
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010996:Pleural Effusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide