INTRAVENOUS NICARDIPINE IN HYPERTENSIVE PRETERM INFANTS

Eight preterm infants were given intravenous nicardipine, a calcium ch annel blocker, to treat systemic hypertension (renal artery thrombosis (n=3); dexamethasone for management of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n= 2); unexplained (n=3)). Nicardipine doses ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 mu g/ kg/min and were given for three to 36 days (mean (SD) 15.9 (10.3) days ). Systolic blood pressure had significantly decreased after 12 and 24 hours of nicardipine treatment (-17 (17)% and -21 (10) %, respectivel y). Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 24 hours of treatment (-22 +/- 16%). The decrease in blood pressure remained sign ificant over the subsequent days of treatment. No hypotension or other clinical side effects were observed. It is concluded that intravenous nicardipine could be a first line treatment for hypertension in prete rm infants.