HYPERTROPHIC OBSTRUCTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY AS A SIDE-EFFECT OF DEXAMETHASONE TREATMENT FOR BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

We report three infants who developed hypertrophic obstructive cardiom yopathy during dexamethasone treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In all three infants, echocardiography had ruled out cardiac abnormal ities prior to the dexamethasone course. The hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy appeared and progressed during dexamethasone therapy an d resolved completely after its cessation. This suggests a causative a ssociation between the hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and the exogenous glucocorticosteroid therapy. The mechanism of this dexameth asone-related hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is unclear. This complication may be encountered more frequently with the increasing u se of dexamethasone in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.