Complications following oral administration of exchange resins in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

Complications of the oral use of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and calcium polystyrene sulfonate are reported in five extremely low-birth-weight infants in which exchange resins were used to treat hyperkalemia. Radio opaque masses outlining the stomach were seen in all infants and could be palpated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. In two infants, at autopsy the palpable mass could be identified as a solid chalk-like concretion outlining the stomach. X-ray diffraction studies identified the material as Brushite. Administration of exchange resins by the gastric route should be avoided in the treatment of hyperkalemia in critically sick, extremely low-birth-weight infants.