(Version 1.0 08/19/98 - 04/01/03)

Prostin

For an anticipated delivery of an infant with ductal-dependent CHD, prostin should be ordered as:

150 mcg prostin in 50 ml D5W to make a concentration of 3 mcg/ml.  This concentration when run at a rate in ml/hr equal to the baby’s weight in kg will deliver 0.05 mcg/kg/min prostin.

This may be a relatively large volume but should be adequate to keep a peripheral iv open even after weaning to lower doses.

To concentrate a prostin drip or to order one when the baby’s weight is known, you can use the equation:

Weight (in kg) x 0.3 = the number of mg of prostin to mix with 100 cc D5W

then 1 cc/hr delivers 0.05 mcg/kg/min.

Dopamine or Dobutamine

To order either one of the most commonly used pressors in the NICU, use the equation:

Weight (in kg) x 60 = the number of mg of pressor to mix in 100 ml of D5W

then an iv infusion rate of 0.1 ml/hr will deliver 1 mcg/kg/min.

This is a concentrated formula to deliver small volumes to our small patients and conveniently allows one to know the amount infusing with a glance at the iv infusion rate.

Fentanyl

A concentration formula for a continuous narcotic infusion is:

Weight (in kg) = the number of mg of fentanyl to add to 100 ml of D5W

then an iv infusion rate of 0.1 ml/hr will deliver 1 mcg/kg/hr.

Since fentanyl is supplied as a 50 mcg/ml preparation, if a baby weighs > 5 kg, (s)he should receive undiluted fentanyl, and an infusion rate will have to be calculated to deliver the desired amount of fentanyl per hour.

Insulin

To order an insulin drip:

Weight (in kg) x 10 = the number of units of insulin to add to 100 ml of D5W

then an iv infusion rate of 0.1 ml/hr will deliver 0.01 U/kg/hr.

Much of this information is also available in the 2001 NICU Manual pgs. 5-4 and 5-23.