Abstract
The clinical efficacy of the protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate (Futhan®) in treating sick newborns with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was compared with that of another protease inhibitor, gabexate mesilate (FOY®). Records were reviewed for 24 DIC low-birth-weight infants and high-risk newborns, including those who had undergone surgery, admitted to our division of neonatal intensive care unit between January 1993 and December 2001. All patients displayed DIC or probable DIC until day 28, and a neonatal DIC score as proposed by Shirahata of three or more points. Twelve patients were treated using Futhan® and the other twelve were treated using FOY®. Both protease inhibitors were effective and significantly improved DIC scores, particularly for platelets and FDP components. However, one patient in the Futhan® group developed hyperkalemia without renal failure. Futhan® is useful for treating neonatal DIC patients, but serum potassium levels must be closely monitored during Futhan® administration.
