Abstract 1555

To assess the effects of early postnatal D therapy on the blood cell count, we have reviewed 179 preterm infants (<2000gm) who were participated in a double-blind control trial of early D therapy for the prevention of chronic lung disease (86 received saline placebo and 93 received D). D was given iv q.12.h. in tapering doses: 0.25 mg/kg on day 1 to 7; 0.12 mg/kg on day 8 to 14; 0.05 mg/kg on day 15 to 21; 0.02 mg/kg on day 21 to 28. Blood samples for hematological data were obtained on day 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28. None of these infants received prenatal steroid. The mean±SD B.W. and gest. age for the control and D groups were 1.3±0.4 vs. 1.3±0.3 kg; and 28.9±2.7 vs. 29.2±3.1 wks respectively. The age of the first dose of D given was 7.6±4.8 hrs.

Multiple regression using general estimating equations revealed significant (p<0.01) difference in the overall response curve of the total WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil counts between the groups, indicating a treatment effect. The WBC count was sign. higher in the D group from days 7 through 14, with much of the increases attributed to an increase in segmented neutrophils and band forms. A subsequent decrease of lymphocyte count was noted and persisted up to 28 day in D group. The hematocrit and platelet counts were slightly higher in D group than the control but the difference was not statistically significant. The low platelet count that often seen in control infants with bacteremia was not noted in the D group. We concluded that the potential alternations in hematological values should be taken into consideration when evaluating infants with D therapy.