Lethal effect of a single dose of rasburicase in a preterm newborn infant

Pediatrics. 2013 Jan;131(1):e309-12. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1580. Epub 2012 Dec 3.

Abstract

This case report describes a preterm newborn infant who was treated with a single dose of rasburicase for an increase in uric acid level. He died on the third day as a result of complications of hemolysis, which appeared to be precipitated by rasburicase. The patient's death was preceded by progressive respiratory insufficiency, lactic acidosis, and hyperbilirubinemia, culminating in refractory hypoxia and hypotension. A postmortem assay for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase showed deficiency and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Mediterranean genotype.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Hemolysis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature / blood
  • Infant, Premature / metabolism*
  • Infant, Premature / urine
  • Male
  • Urate Oxidase / administration & dosage*
  • Urate Oxidase / adverse effects*

Substances

  • rasburicase
  • Urate Oxidase