Combination therapy for life-threatening pulmonary hypertension in a premature infant: first report on bosentan use

Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Aug;170(8):1075-8. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1422-9. Epub 2011 Mar 8.

Abstract

Premature infants with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) are at high risk of severe respiratory failure because of lung hypodysplasia associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We describe the clinical course of a 28-week gestation infant with PPROM from the 20th week and prolonged oligohydramnios before delivery, who developed refractory hypoxia treated with oral bosentan as adjunct therapy to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and oral sildenafil. Conclusion Our experience suggests that bosentan can be used in the premature infant with PPHN after PPROM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of bosentan treatment in a premature infant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bosentan
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Nitric Oxide / therapeutic use*
  • Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Purines / therapeutic use
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use*
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Sulfonamides
  • Sulfones
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Bosentan