Effect of Cisapride on Corrected QT Interval in Neonates
MEERA KHORANA, MD*, WORANATE CHANKAJORN, MD*, WIBOON KANJANAPATTANAKUL, MD*, TA WATCHAI KIRA WITT A YA, MD**, SUNTHORN HORPAOPAN, MD*, URAIWAN CHOTIGEAT, MD*, WARAPORN SANGTAWESIN,MD*
Affiliation : * Neonatology Unit, **Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Objective : To evaluate the effect of cisapride on corrected QT (QTc) interval in neonates at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
Method : A prospective study was performed to see the effects of cisapride on QTc interval in 20 neonates between 1" July 2001 and 31"January 2002. QTc interval was determined just before, 48 hours, 7 days and 15 days after the start of treatment with cisapride. QTc interval was calculated by averaging QT/..JRR values obtained from 5 consecutive beats in lead II of the EKG. Baseline elec trolyte and calcium levels were drawn on all infants before treatment of cisapride. Drug dose ranged from 0.1-0.2 mg/kg every 6 to 8 hours.
Results :Twenty infants were enrolled in the survey but complete data was obtained on 18 infants only. QTc interval of> 0.45 seconds was not found in any neonate. There was no significant = difference of QTc interval before and 48 hours, 7 days and 15 days after cisapride administration (p 0.861). There were also no statistically significant effects of age at starting cisapride, weight, gesta = tional age and dose on QTc interval (p 0.581, 0.65, 0.8, and 0.497). There were no adverse effects such as diarrhea or jaundice during the study.
Conclusion : Term and preterm infants using cisapride at the doses of 0.4-0.8 mg/kg/day did not develop QTc prolongation, arrhythmias or adverse effects. In the absence of risk factors, cisapride may be safe for use in neonates.
Keywords : Cisapride, QTc Interval, Neonates
