You know that your little one will need special care because he or she was born prematurely. Sometimes, a small blood vessel in the heart of such babies can remain open after birth, which should have closed. Today, we are talking about a special drug injection that is given to treat this. It is normal to feel a little scared and worried at a time like this. But once you are properly informed about this, you will feel a great sense of relief.
What is Indomethacin?
Simply put, indomethacin is a drug that belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . In medical terms, we call this group NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) .
The main purpose of this vaccine is to treat a specific condition that occurs in the heart of premature babies. We call this condition Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) . Imagine, when a baby is in the womb, a special blood vessel in the heart closes automatically within the first few hours after birth. But in some premature babies, this blood vessel remains open. So, what this indomethacin vaccine does is to help that blood vessel close.
Important things to tell the doctor before giving this medicine to your baby
Before starting this treatment for your baby, the medical team will check a lot about your baby's health. However, if your baby has any of the following conditions, be sure to inform the doctor.
- Bleeding problems: If the baby has any blood clotting problems or is at risk of bleeding easily.
- Heart disease: If there is another heart disease in addition to the PDA condition.
- Infection: If there is an infection in the body.
- Kidney disease: If there is any problem with the functioning of the kidneys.
- Liver disease: If there is any impairment in liver function.
- Digestive system problems: If there is any problem related to the intestines.
- Previous allergies: If you have had a previous allergy to indomethacin, aspirin or another NSAID, or any other medicine or food.
Also, it is very important to inform your doctor about any health problems you had during pregnancy.
How do you give this medicine to a baby?
This medicine is given by slow infusion into a vein through a cannula. This treatment is done entirely in a hospital, under the close supervision of doctors and nurses . Usually, the baby is given three doses of the medicine, spaced 12 to 24 hours apart.
This is a treatment that is given to newborn babies, especially premature babies, only for specific medical reasons. It is not a home remedy.
What happens if you give too much medicine?
Since this medicine is given under strict medical supervision in the hospital, you do not need to worry about an overdose. The medical team is very careful about it. If there is any suspicion of such a thing, the doctors take the necessary steps immediately. If necessary, they can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for expert advice. They are also ready to refer the baby to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) in case of any emergency.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Indomethacin can interact with some other medications your baby is taking, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're giving your baby.
| Drug type | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Aspirin and similar drugs | Medications such as aspirin. |
| Some antibiotics | Especially aminoglycoside antibiotics. |
| Digoxin | A medicine for heart disease. |
| Diuretics | Medicines known as "water pills" help the body eliminate fluid. |
| Anticoagulants | Medications such as Warfarin. |
| Other types of NSAIDs | Painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. |
| Steroids | Medications such as Prednisone or Cortisone. |
This list is not exhaustive, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or even traditional medicines you are giving your baby.
Side effects we need to be aware of
As with any medication, this medication can cause some side effects. Since your baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital, the medical team will be constantly monitoring these symptoms. But as a parent, it's important for you to be aware of these as well.
| Type of side effect | Features to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor or nurse immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching; swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Bleeding | Black, tarry stools; vomiting of coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bleeding from the nose or gums. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output or difficulty urinating. |
| Liver injury | Yellowing of the eyes or skin; dark yellow/brown urine; pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. |
| Heart disease or heart failure | Difficulty breathing; fast, irregular heartbeat; sudden weight gain; swelling of the ankles and feet. |
| Severe skin reactions | Red or purple spots appear on the skin, which then blister or peel off. |
| Stroke | Sudden weakness, numbness in the face, arm, or leg. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain. |
| Difficulty drinking milk | Baby refuses to drink milk or has difficulty drinking milk. |
| Pain at the injection site | Redness or swelling where the cannula is inserted. |
Even if it's not mentioned on this list, if you notice anything unusual or different in your baby's behavior or appearance, don't hesitate to inform the doctor or nurse immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Indomethacin is a medication used to treat a specific condition called PDA, which occurs in the heart of premature babies.
- This treatment is carried out entirely in a hospital, under the full supervision of doctors and nurses.
- It is imperative to inform the doctor about the baby's other medical conditions and other medications being taken.
- The medical team monitors the baby very closely during treatment.
- As a parent, if you have any doubts or concerns about your baby, don't be afraid to talk to the medical team right away. Your observations are very important to them.
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