[Use of somatostatin in five neonates with chylothorax].

BACKGROUND

The addition of somatostatin to the conventional treatment of neonatal chylothorax has been described in isolated cases.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the results obtained in a series of five patients with neonatal chylothorax treated with somatostatin.

PATIENTS: Five neonates (gestational age range: 29-39 weeks) diagnosed with chylothorax of various etiologies were included. Chylothorax was congenital in two neonates, secondary to congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair in two neonates and secondary to thrombosis in the superior vein cava in one neonate. All the neonates were started on conservative therapy and intravenous somatostatin in distinct doses ranging from a bolus of 2 microg/kg/12 h to continuous perfusion at 10 microg/kg/h.

RESULTS

In all patients the chylous drainage was stopped. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Somatostatin can be a safe and effective option in the treatment of both primary and secondary neonatal chylothorax refractory to conservative treatment.