Edema of the pulmonary interstitium in infants and children.

Ten infants and children with respiratory failure, receiving standard maintenance water requirements, were treated on 13 occasions with intravenously given furosemide (1 to 2 mg/kg) because of continued impairment of oxygenation despite conventional therapy. Pulmonary auscultation and radiographs were normal or typical of the primary diagnosis. After a five-fold increase in urine output the mean Po2 rose from 61 mm Hg at a mean FiO2 of 0.7 to 140 mm Hg at an FiO2 of 0.65. The Pco2 decreased from 46 to 38 mm Hg. Interstitial pulmonary edema in these patients can be related to both their lung disease and impaired water tolerance during ventilatory therapy.