title: Iopamidol enema treatment for meconium obstruction of prematurity in extremely low-birth weight infants: a safe and effective method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Meconium obstruction of prematurity (MO) often occurs in extremely low-birth weight (ELBW) infants, and its treatment is quite a challenge for neonatologists. We attempted to establish a method of primary treatment for MO of prematurity in ELBW infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  An iopamidol enema with 50 cm H(2)O static pressure was performed as the primary treatment. This procedure is safe and effective and we recommend this as the first treatment for MO in ELBW infants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure was performed 50 times in 23 infants and no complications occurred. Out of 23 patients, 20 (88%) improved, but the other 3 did not. In the failure group, the procedure was performed on a significantly later date and the mortality rate was higher (12.5 vs. 67%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This procedure is safe and effective. We recommend this as the first treatment for MO in ELBW infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. tnakaoka@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakaoka
authors.forename: Chizuka
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shiokawa
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishihara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: Masahisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funato
authors.forename: Sadashige
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uemura
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol