D-penicillamine treatment of hyperbilirubinaemia in preterm infants.

In 41 hyperbilirubinaemic infants born before the 38th gestational week intravenous D-penicillamine treatment was applied in doses of 300 mg/kg body weight/day. As compared to 41 infants of identical gestational age and treated under identical circumstances, penicillamine ensured favourable results, especially in babies born after the 33rd gestational week. Some undesirable side-effects have to be taken into account, but they are infrequent if the indication is correct.