Abstract
The effect of indomethacin [I] upon platelet dysfunction in the very-low-birth-weight infant was assessed during an investigator-blind trial of [I] prophylaxis for patent ductus arteriosus.
Sixty-one inborn infants were randomized by birth weight (Group A: <900 gm; Group B: 900-1300 gm) to receive either placebo [P] or [I]. The first dose (0.2 mg/kg), given within 12 hours after birth, was followed by two q 12 hourly doses (0.1 mg/kg each). Platelet count (PC) and bleeding time (BT) were obtained prior to Dose # 1, twice within 1-72 hours following dose # 3, and at 1 week postnatal age.
Pre-dose #1, mean PC and BT were normal in all groups. PC declined significantly during the first postnatal week in all groups. Maximum BT ≥10 min. post-dose # 3 was noted in 6/10 [P] and 9/10[I]infants in Group A and 3/20 [P] and 17/19 [I] infants in Group B; p<0.001. In Group A, severely abnormal PC (<75,000/mm3) rather than platelet dysfunction may have affected BT in 5 [P] infants, whereas only 1[I] infant had PC <75,000/mm3. By one week postnatal age, BT had returned to normal(<6 min) in the majority of [I] infants in both groups A and B.
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Setzer, E., Smith, M., Goulding, P. et al. SEVERITY OF PLATELET DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY PROPHYLACTIC INDOMETHACIN IN THE PREMATURE. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 346 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01516
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01516