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Iopamidol enema treatment for meconium obstruction of prematurity in extremely low-birth weight infants: a safe and effective method

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Abstract

Background/purpose

Meconium obstruction of prematurity (MO) often occurs in extremely low-birth weight (ELBW) infants, and its treatment is quite a challenge for neonatologists. We attempted to establish a method of primary treatment for MO of prematurity in ELBW infants.

Methods

An iopamidol enema with 50 cm H2O static pressure was performed as the primary treatment. This procedure is safe and effective and we recommend this as the first treatment for MO in ELBW infants.

Results

The procedure was performed 50 times in 23 infants and no complications occurred. Out of 23 patients, 20 (88%) improved, but the other 3 did not. In the failure group, the procedure was performed on a significantly later date and the mortality rate was higher (12.5 vs. 67%).

Conclusions

This procedure is safe and effective. We recommend this as the first treatment for MO in ELBW infants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan

    Tatsuo Nakaoka & Sadashige Uemura

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, 2-9-26 Awaji, Higashiyodogawa, Osaka, 533-0032, Japan

    Chizuka Shiokawa

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, 2-9-26 Awaji, Higashiyodogawa, Osaka, 533-0032, Japan

    Masato Nishihara, Hiroshi Tamai & Masahisa Funato

Authors
  1. Tatsuo Nakaoka
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  2. Chizuka Shiokawa
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  3. Masato Nishihara
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  4. Hiroshi Tamai
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  5. Masahisa Funato
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  6. Sadashige Uemura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatsuo Nakaoka.

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Nakaoka, T., Shiokawa, C., Nishihara, M. et al. Iopamidol enema treatment for meconium obstruction of prematurity in extremely low-birth weight infants: a safe and effective method. Pediatr Surg Int 25, 273–276 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2334-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-009-2334-x

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