Abstract
The effect of DXM treatment in newborn piglets with EPT was studied on 30 piglets. 20 animals were subjected to EPT (group A and B) and 10 piglets served as controls without EPT (group C). In the EPT animals 10 piglets were injected with 5 mg/bwkg sc DXM 4 hours prior to EPT (A). Each animal was paired with untreated sibling having the same EPT (B). In the EPT piglets 4 hours after the critical phase (as apnea appeared, MABP fell, the EPT was terminated) brain tissue water and Evans blue dye were determined. There was a highly significant difference between A and B piglets regarding the time necessary to the development of critical phase (A X=69.6±SD=27.5 vs B 28.7±10.1 minutes; p < 0.001). In the untreated EPT animals (B) the Evans blue content of the parietal cortex and cerebellum exceeded significantly the values obtained in DXM treated (A) and control piglets (C) - parietal cortex A 0.18±0.12, B 0.88±0.57, C 0.17±0.07; cerebellum A0.14±0.02, B 0.78±0.36, C 0.17±0.07 μg/dye/g wet tissue. The same phenomenon was observed regarding the water content of above brain regions, as well. In conclusion, DXM treatment increases the tolerance to hypoxia and prevents brain oedema in newborn piglets with EPT.
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Temesvari, P., Joo, F., Koltat, M. et al. Cerebroprotective effect of dexamethasone (DXM) in newborn piglets with experimental pneumothorax (EPT). Pediatr Res 18, 801 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00057
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198408000-00057