Neonatal hypoperistalsis associated with perinatal zidovudine administration

Abstract

Objective: This paper presents the cases of two infants exposed to perinatal zidovudine in whom hypoperistalsis and intestinal pseudoobstruction developed.

Study design: Clinical case reports were prepared of two infants born to women infected with human immunodeficiency virus who were treated with perinatal zidovudine at a single inner-city medical school.

Results: None of the previously described causes for this rare condition contributed to the symptoms in these two infants. In addition, the symptoms resolved shortly after discontinuation of zidovudine administration.

Conclusions: Although a strict cause-and-effect relationship between the medication and the impairment in intestinal peristalsis was not proved, awareness of this association should be helpful for physicians caring for infants exposed to perinatal zidovudine.