Pulmonary function and electrolyte balance following spironolactone treatment in preterm infants with chronic lung disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of spironolactone on dietary electrolyte supplementation, pulmonary function, and electrolyte balance in premature infants with chronic lung disease.

STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was designed to study two groups of low birth weight infants with chronic lung disease at Pennsylvania Hospital. The placebo group received chlorothiazide and a placebo, and the spironolactone group received chlorothiazide and spironolactone during the 2-week study period. A two-tailed t-test was used to determine equivalence between the two groups.

RESULTS: Pulmonary compliance, resistance and tidal volume, serum sodium and potassium, and FIO2, were not statistically different between the two groups. The need for sodium and/or potassium chloride did not differ between the two groups, nor did the quantity of each salt.

CONCLUSION: The addition of spironolactone did not reduce the requirement for supplemental electrolytes, nor did it improve pulmonary mechanics or electrolyte balance.