Use of antihypotensive therapies in extremely preterm infants

Beau Batton, Lei Li, Nancy S. Newman, Abhik Das, Kristi L. Watterberg, Bradley A. Yoder, Roger G. Faix, Matthew M. Laughon, Barbara J. Stoll, Krisa P. Van Meurs, Waldemar A. Carlo, Brenda B. Poindexter, Edward F. Bell, Pablo J. Sánchez, Richard A. Ehrenkranz, Ronald N. Goldberg, Abbot R. Laptook, Kathleen A. Kennedy, Ivan D. Frantz, Seetha ShankaranKurt Schibler, Rosemary D. Higgins, Michele C. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships among blood pressure (BP) values, antihypotensive therapies, and in-hospital outcomes to identify a BP threshold below which antihypotensive therapies may be beneficial. METHODS: Prospective observational study of infants 230/7to 26 6/7weeks' gestational age. Hourly BP values and antihypotensive therapy use in the first 24 hours were recorded. Low BP was investigated by using 15 definitions. Outcomes were examined by using regression analysis controlling for gestational age, the number of low BP values, and illness severity. RESULTS: Of 367 infants enrolled, 203 (55%) received at least 1 antihypotensive therapy. Treated infants were more likely to have low BP by any definition (P < .001), but for the 15 definitions of low BP investigated, therapy was not prescribed to 3% to 49% of infants with low BP and, paradoxically, was administered to 28% to 41% of infants without low BP. Treated infants were more likely than untreated infants to develop severe retinopathy of prematurity (15% vs 8%, P = .03) or severe intraventricular hemorrhage (22% vs 11%, P <, .01) and less likely to survive (67% vs 78%, P = .02). However, with regression analysis, there were no significant differences between groups in survival or in-hospital morbidity rates. CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than BP contributed to the decision to use antihypotensive therapies. Infant outcomes were not improved with antihypotensive therapy for any of the 15 definitions of low BP investigated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e1865-e1873
JournalPediatrics
Volume131
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2013

Keywords

  • Antihypotensive therapy
  • Blood pressure
  • Extremely preterm infant
  • Hypotension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Use of antihypotensive therapies in extremely preterm infants'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this