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.