Intestinal blood flow by Doppler ultrasound: the impact of clarithromycin treatment for feeding intolerance in preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the blood flow velocities of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) before versus after clarithromycin treatment for feeding intolerance in very low-birth weight infants.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in a group of infant <1500 g with feeding intolerance who received clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg/dose bid. Before and at the third day of the clarithromycin therapy, SMA blood flow velocity was measured with Doppler ultrasound.

RESULTS

SMA peak systolic velocity (PSV) and mean systolic velocity (MV) on the third day of the treatment was found significantly higher than the initial measurement (p = 0.013 and p = 0.027, respectively). End diastolic velocity of the SMA did not change with clarithromycin therapy (p = 0.113). There were no significant changes about pulsatility and resistive index of SMA with regard to clarithromycin therapy.

CONCLUSION

Clarithromycin effects the splanchnic circulation. The rise in PSV and MV in SMA is remarkable. These results suggest that the splanchnic blood flow increases significantly after clarithromycin usage.