Acute gastric dilatation complicating the use of mydriatics in a preterm newborn.

A 2-month-old girl who had been born at 27-weeks' gestation was admitted for her screening examination for retinopathy of prematurity and given two drops each of cyclopentolate 0.5% and phenylephrine 2.5%. Approximately 2 h after completion of the examination, the infant had episodes of apnoea and vomiting. She was noted to be distended, and an abdominal radiograph demonstrated acute gastric dilatation. Apnoea, vomiting and distension resolved after 18 h and a repeat abdominal radiograph demonstrated resolution of the gastric dilatation.