Prospective assessment of short-term propylene glycol tolerance in neonates.
BACKGROUND
Propylene glycol (PG) is an unintentional frequently administered solvent in neonates despite the fact that PG accumulation potentially results in hyperosmolarity, lactic acidosis and renal/hepatic toxicity.


METHODS
Prospective evaluation of renal (diuresis, creatinaemia, sodium), metabolic (base excess, anion gap, lactate, bicarbonate) and hepatic (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, direct bilirubinaemia) tolerance to PG in (pre)term neonates following intravenous administration of formulations (paracetamol, phenobarbital, digoxin) that contain PG. Observations from 48 h before up to 48 after the last PG administration were described and compared (paired analysis). Clinical characteristics and observations collected following intravenous PG-paracetamol administration were compared with a historical cohort of neonates in whom similar (renal, hepatic) observations during exposure to a mannitol-containing paracetamol formulation were collected.


RESULTS
5566 observations were collected in 69 neonates before, during and following median PG exposure of 34 mg/kg/24 h (range 14-252). Progressive postnatal adaptation in renal, metabolic and hepatic function was documented, unrelated to the PG exposure. In the subgroup of 40 cases treated with intravenous PG-paracetamol, observations on renal and hepatic function were similar to a historical cohort of published observations following exposure to intravenous mannitol-paracetamol.


CONCLUSIONS
Unintended PG administration (34 mg/kg/24 h) for a maximum of 48 h seems to be tolerated in (pre)term neonates and does not affect short-term postnatal adaptations. Further studies on PG disposition and the level of safe exposure to PG, including long-term safety data in neonates are needed.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. karel.allegaert@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Karel
K
Allegaert
Sophie
S
Vanhaesebrouck
Aida
A
Kulo
Katrien
K
Cosaert
Rene
R
Verbesselt
Anne
A
Debeer
Jan
J
de Hoon
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D012997:Solvents; D019946:Propylene Glycol