PEDIATRICS Vol. 72 No. 3 September 1983, pp. 347-352
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ernst, J. A.
Right arrow Articles by Lemons, J. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ernst, J. A.
Right arrow Articles by Lemons, J. A.

Osmolality of Substances Used in the Intensive Care Nursery

Judith A. Ernst RD, MS1, Janice M. Williams PharmD1, Melvin R. Glick PhD1, and James A. Lemons MD1

1 From the Departments of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pharmacy, Pathology, and Pediatrics, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine and James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis

It has been well documented that the administration of hypertonic substances to the newborn may result in a variety of adverse effects, including hepatic, intestinal, and/or neuronal injury. Furthermore, neonates are exposed to a large number of drugs and other substances while in the intensive care nursery setting. As few data are available that document the actual osmolality of many of the substances employed in caring for the sick neonate, the present study measured the osmolality of 64 medications as well as 23 formulas or nutritional supplements used in the intensive care nursery. Osmolality was determined by both vapor pressure and freezing point depression. Results indicate that a large number of medications normally administered by the enteral route possess a markedly elevated osmolality in excess of 2,000 mosm/kg H2O. Although parenterally administered medications normally have a much lower osmolality, several possess significantly elevated levels. It is recommended that measures be taken to minimize the osmolality of substances administered to the critically ill newborn whenever possible.

Key Words: osmolality • medications • hyperosmolar feedings • neonate

Submitted on January 7, 1983
Accepted on February 24, 1983




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.Home page
L Srinivasan, R Bokiniec, C King, G Weaver, and A D Edwards
Increased osmolality of breast milk with therapeutic additives
Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., November 1, 2004; 89(6): F514 - F517.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
Y. Atakent, A. Ferrara, M. Bhogal, and M. Klupsteen
The Adverse Effects of High Oral Osmolal Mixtures in Neonates: A Review and a Study of the Osmolality of Calcium Preparations
Clinical Pediatrics, September 1, 1984; 23(9): 487 - 491.
[Abstract] [PDF]