Cortical hyperostosis : a complication of prolonged prostaglandin infusion in infants awaiting cardiac transplantation

Background. Infants awaiting heart transplantation for congenital heart disease frequently require prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) infusion for prolonged periods. As a result, complications of prolonged PGE 1 infusion, such as cortical hyperostosis, are being encountered more commonly. Objective. To determine the incidence and severity of cortical hyperostosis in newborns requiring prolonged PGE 1 infusion. Methods. Chest radiographs of 86 infants receiving PGE 1 infusion awaiting heart transplantation were reviewed. The chest radiographs were graded for the severity of cortical hyperostosis (no body changes, minimal hyperostosis, or severe hyperostosis). Duration of PGE 1 infusion, total PGE 1 dose, and highest alkaline phosphatase were recorded for each patient