Furosemide Safety in Preterm Infants at Risk for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The Journal of Pediatrics • April 2025

Access article on PubMed.

Greenberg RG, Lang J, Smith PB, Shekhawat P, Courtney SE, Hudak ML, Moya F, Iyengar A, Eldemerdash A, Bloom B, Go M, Hanna M, Rhein L, Aliaga S, Lewis T, Febre A, Kiefer AS, Bhatt-Mehta V, Khoury JA, Selewski D, Anand R, Martz K, Payne EH, Zimmerman KO, Benjamin DK Jr, Laughon M; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act – Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of furosemide in preterm infants at the risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This multicenter, randomized, dose-escalating, placebo-controlled trial enrolled infants born <29 weeks gestational age at 7-28 days postnatal age and at risk for BPD. In preterm infants, furosemide did not increase the overall incidence of AEs, hearing loss, or nephrocalcinosis, but did increase the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities. Furosemide given for 28 consecutive days was not associated with a difference in moderate-to-severe BPD or death at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.

Pharmacokinetics of Hydrochlorothiazide in Children: A Potential Surrogate for Renal Secretion Maturation

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology • March 2021

Access article on PubMed.

Commander SJ, Wu H, Boakye-Agyeman F, Melloni C, Hornik CD, Zimmerman K, Al-Uzri A, Mendley SR, Harper B, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Hornik CP
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic used in adults and children for the treatment of hypertension and edema. The pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of HCTZ in children are not well characterized, particularly among children with obesity who frequently suffer from hypertension and may, therefore, benefit from HCTZ therapy. Simulated exposure decreased with age and was likely due to older children receiving the maximum absolute doses of HCTZ. Further studies with more patients in each age group are required to confirm these PK findings of HCTZ in the children.

Furosemide Exposure and Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Premature Infants

The Journal of Pediatrics May 2019

Access article on PubMed.

Greenberg RG, Gayam S, Savage D, Tong A, Gorham D, Sholomon A, Clark RH, Benjamin DK, Laughon M, Smith PB

The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between furosemide exposure and risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) for premature infants. More days of furosemide exposure between postnatal day 7 and 36 weeks was associated with decreased risk of BPD and a combined outcome of BPD or death.

Prolonged furosemide exposure and risk of abnormal newborn hearing screen in premature infants

Early Human Development • October 2018

Access article on PubMed.

Wang LA, Smith PB, Laughon M, Goldberg RN, Ku LC, Zimmerman KO, Balevic S, Clark RH, Benjamin DK, Greenberg RG; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act – Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee.

At very high doses, furosemide is linked to ototoxicity in adults, but little is known about the risk of hearing loss in premature infants exposed to furosemide. Our aim was to evaluate the association between prolonged furosemide exposure and abnormal hearing screening in premature infants.

Association between Furosemide Exposure and Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Hospitalized Infants of Very Low Birth Weight

The Journal of Pediatrics August 2018

Access article on PubMed.

Thompson EJ, Greenberg RG, Kumar K, Laughon M, Smith PB, Clark RH, Crowell A, Shaw L, Harrison L, Scales G, Bell N, Hornik CP

This study evaluated the association between furosemide exposure and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a large, contemporary cohort of hospitalized infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). Furosemide exposure was not associated with increased odds of PDA treatment in hospitalized infants of VLBW. Further studies are needed to characterize the efficacy and safety of furosemide in premature infants.

Comparative effectiveness of 3 surfactant preparations in premature infants

Journal of Pediatrics • October 2013

Access article on PubMed.

Trembath A, Hornik CP, Clark R, Smith PB, Daniels J, Laughon M; Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act—Pediatric Trials Network.

To compare effectiveness of 3 surfactant preparations (beractant, calfactant, and poractant alfa) in premature infants for preventing 3 outcomes: (1) air leak syndromes; (2) death; and (3) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death (composite outcome).