The effect of low-dose dopamine infusion on cardiopulmonary and renal status in premature newborns with respiratory distress syndrome
L. Cuevas, T. F. Yeh, E. G. John, D. Cuevas and R. S. Plides
Division of Neonatology, Cook County Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL 60612.
To study the effects of infusion of low doses of dopamine hydrochloride on
cardiopulmonary and renal status in premature newborns with respiratory
distress syndrome, 49 newborns were randomly assigned to three groups:
group 1 (18 patients) received no dopamine and was the control group; group
2 (16 patients) was infused with a dose of dopamine measuring 1.0
micrograms/kg of body weight per minute for 72 hours; and group 3 (15
patients) was infused with a dose of dopamine measuring 2.5 micrograms/kg
of body weight per minute for 72 hours. Birth weights, gestational ages,
post-natal ages, and cardiopulmonary status of all groups at the start of
the study were comparable. Continuous infusion of these low doses of
dopamine for 3 days after birth did not significantly improve levels of
blood gases, acid-base balance, or clinical outcome. In newborns with
systemic hypotension, dopamine improved cardiovascular status and caused
early return of blood pressure to the normal range. Infusion of low doses
of dopamine produced mild to moderate natriuresis and insignificant
increases in glomerular filtration rate and urine volume.
