The pharmacologic effects of furosemide therapy in the low-birth-weight infant.

The pharmacologic effects of furosemide were studied in six infants (mean gestation 30.7 weeks; mean birth weight 1,490 gm) at ages 10 to 57 days. Furosemide (for clinical indication, standardized at 1 mg/kg) was given intravenously over one minute; data were collected over the ensuing 24 hours. For three hours following furosemide administration, a significant diuresis was observed. Sodium excretion, percent fractional sodium excretion, and potassium excretion were significantly increased and urinary pH significantly decreased for six hours following the administration of furosemide. Creatinine and free water clearances were slightly elevated, although not significantly. Furosemide is an effective diuretic, the onset of pharmacologic action was within one hour, the peak action was sustained for three hours, and the duration of action was six hours. The net fluid, sodium, and potassium losses following a 1 mg/kg single dose were 28 ml, and 3.6 and 0.3 mEq/kg, respectively.