Effect of furosemide on water and sodium excretion in apparently normal infants
López Uriarte, A.; Sánchez Burgos, J.; Santos Atherton, D.
Boletin Medico del Hospital Infantil de Mexico 33(3): 693-698
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0539-6115 PMID: 1275971 Document Number: 103726
Nine infants without evidence of nephropathy were studied. After a control period, furosemide, 1.0 mg/kg. of body weight, was administered intravenously and urine was collected. In all patients, urinary volume increased from a mean of 0.15 ml/min. during the control period, to 0.69 ml/min. after furosemide and urinary sodium excretion rose from 1.77 micro Eq/min. in the first period, to 50.13 micro Eq/min. in the second. There was no significant change in urinary osmolarity and in serum electrolytes. Three hours after furosemide, all children showed dehydration from light to moderate and saline infusion was necessary. No correlation was found between age and weight of the infants with the response to furosemide. Because this diuretic has an energetic action in infants as in children and adults, it must be used carefully and it is proposed that the initial dose of furosemide in infants be 0.5 mg/kg.