Oral erythromycin for treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in premature infants

  • Armelia Moesri
  • Bugis Mardina Lubis
  • Asrul Asrul
  • Atan Baas Sinuhaji
  • Guslihan Dasa Tjipta
Keywords: erythromycin, gastrointestinal dysmotility, preterm infants

Abstract

Background Functional immaturity of gastrointestinal (GI)
motility predisposes preterm infants to feeding intolerance.
Erythromycin as a prokinetic agent has been given to preterm
infants for the management of non-obstructive GI dysmotility.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of oral erythromycin for the
treatment of GI dysmotility in preterm infants.
Methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was done at Adam
Malik Hospital and Pirngadi Hospital, Medan, between October
2004 – March 2005. Fifty preterm infants with feeding intolerance
were randomly assigned to either receive oral erythromycin (12.5
mg/kg, every 6 hours) or placebo for 7 days. Improved tolerance
for enteral feedings was evaluated by the amount of gastric residue
before feeding.
Results On the sixth day, there was a significant difference in the
amount of residue from gastric residue between the oral
erythromycin group and placebo group (mean 21.7 and 29.4;
P<0.05) and so were results on the seventh day (mean 14.1 and
26.9; P<0.05).
Conclusion Oral erythromycin reduces the amount of gastric
residue before feed in premature infants.

Author Biographies

Armelia Moesri
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatera
University, Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.
Bugis Mardina Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatera
University, Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.
Asrul Asrul
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatera
University, Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.
Atan Baas Sinuhaji
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatera
University, Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.
Guslihan Dasa Tjipta
Department of Child Health, Medical School, North Sumatera
University, Adam Malik Hospital, Medan.

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Published
2007-10-31
How to Cite
1.
Moesri A, Lubis B, Asrul A, Sinuhaji A, Tjipta G. Oral erythromycin for treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in premature infants. PI [Internet]. 31Oct.2007 [cited 13Nov.2024];47(5):234-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/421
Received 2016-09-01
Accepted 2016-09-01
Published 2007-10-31