The Effects of Dexamethasone on Blood Pressure in Premature Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone(D) on blood pressure(BP) in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 10 infants with BPD(mean birth weight 1,383+/-17 gm, mean gestational age 29.0+/-1.7 weeks) treated with D at Wonkwang University Hospital from January 1994 to June 1998. D was started at 0.5 mg/kg/day intravenously for first week, followed by 0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg/day for second and third week, respectively. Changes in BP during pre-D, 1st wk(D1), 2ndwk(D2), 3rd wk(D3), and post-D periods were compared using Turkey Kramer multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Mean systolic pressure(sBP) significantly increased in Dl, D2, D3 compared to pre-D(63+1.3, P0.05). The sBP and dBP significantly increased from day 2 after initiation of D and were highest on day 17 and 17-18 of 3rd week, respectively. The number of hypertensive infants who were considered for antihypertensive medications were 2(20%) for sBP >or= 80-90 mmHg, 3(30%) for dBP >or= 50 mmHg and 1(10%) for dBP> or =60 mmHg. These infants, however, remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Significant elevation of BP was observed during dexamethasone therapy for infants with BPD especially after 2nd day. However, BP elevation was transient, not requiring antihypertensive medications.