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J Perinatol. 2018 Jun;38(6):702-707. doi: 10.1038/s41372-018-0087-x. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Blood potassium and urine aldosterone after doxapram therapy for preterm infants.

Author information

1
Department of Neonatology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, 232-8555, Japan. tkaze@hotmail.com.
2
Department of Neonatology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, 232-8555, Japan.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We often encounter infants who developed hypokalaemia following low-dose doxapram for apnea of prematurity (AOP).

AIMS:

To determine changes in blood potassium (K+) levels after doxapram administration.

STUDY DESIGN:

We studied infants born before 30 weeks gestation. Doxapram (0.1-0.3 mg/kg/h) in addition to methylxanthines was used to treat AOP refractory to methylxanthines.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five infants received doxapram were studied. Fifty-two percent developed hypokalemia (<3.0 mEq/L) during doxapram administration. Time after starting doxapram to nadir blood K+ (<3.0 mEq/L) level was 11 days. Blood K+ levels normalized after 5 days of stopping doxapram administration. Data at 10 days before and after and at the time of doxapram administration were, respectively: lowest blood K+ level: 3.9, 3.0, and 3.6 mEq/L; urine aldosterone: 90, 206, and 146 pg/μg creatinine. Blood pH, blood pressure and urine volume were similar.

CONCLUSIONS:

Doxapram-induced hypokalemia may be due to an inappropriate increase in aldosterone levels.

PMID:
29515224
DOI:
10.1038/s41372-018-0087-x
[Indexed for MEDLINE]

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