Safety of Intravenous Diazoxide in Children with Severe Hypertension

Abstract

The safety and efficacy of diazoxide administered intravenously in the treat ment of children with acute severe hypertension have been evaluated by a col laborative study. Observations of the response of blood pressure in 36 patients, ranging in age from two months to 18 years, during the initial episode of hos pitalization reveal diazoxide treatment to be effective in lowering blood pres sure in 94 per cent of the cases. No serious adverse circulatory, fluid and electrolyte, metabolic or hematologic effects were observed. Symptomatic and subjective reactions observed with diazoxide administered intravenously to children were identical with those described in adults. Reinstitution of other means of antihypertensive therapy is safe and effective when delayed until the transiently induced period of hypotension has passed. Repeated use of diaz oxide for subsequent recurrence of severe hypertension was equally effective and safe in 93 per cent of the instances. The results lead us to recommend the use of intravenous diazoxide for treatment of children with severe symptomatic hypertension especially when it is refractory to control by other hyper tensive agents.