Octreotide has been used as a successful therapeutic adjunct in a small number of neonatal cases and a larger number of pediatric cases. No consensus has been reached as to the optimal route of administration, dose, duration of therapy, or strategy for discontinuation of therapy. We suggest using higher doses (80-100 microg/kg/day) and initiating therapy early rather than using a low initial dose with upward titration. Duration of therapy required to elicit a significant response may vary between patients.
Use of a percutaneously-inserted cholecystostomy drainage tube is an effective therapeutic option for acute hyperbilirubinemia in severely-ill adult patients, but to our knowledge has not been previously reported in infants. We describe an infant who developed acute extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction with marked conjugated (direct) hyperbilirubinemia, and who was determined to be an unsuitable surgical candidate. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed and resulted in prompt, significant, and sustained decline in serum bilirubin levels. Potential risks and benefits, as well as suggested indications for the procedure are discussed.
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