Decreased plasma glucose following indomethacin therapy in premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus

The effect of indomethacin on carbohydrate metabolism was studied in 6 premature infants with significant patent ductus arteriosus (mean ± S.D., birth weight 1,066 ± 244 gm, gestational age 30 ± 1.6 weeks). All infants were in a glucose steady state between 50 and 100 mg/dl over a 2-hour period before indomethacin administration. There was a significant fall in plasma glucose at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours following intravenous indomethacin infusion. Since there was no significant change in insulin levels from the baseline, the mechanism of indomethacin-mediated lack of prostaglandin inhibition of insulin release was not substantiated. Based on this study, plasma glucose levels should be followed closely in the first 24 hours following intravenous indomethacin administration.