Effect of Intravenous Administration of Contrast Media on Serum Creatinine Levels in Neonates

Purpose: To assess the effect of intravenous contrast media on renal function in neonates. Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained with waiver of consent. Electronic health records from January 2011 to April 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Measures of renal function were obtained in inpatient neonates who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or computed tomography (CT) and for whom serum creatinine (Cr) levels were obtained within 72 hours before imaging and at least one time after imaging (> 1 day after administration of contrast material). A total of 140 neonates who received contrast material (59 who underwent CT with iohexol or iodixanol and 81 who underwent MR imaging with gadopentetate dimeglumine) were identified. These neonates were frequency matched according to sex, gestational and postnatal age, and preimaging serum Cr levels with neonates who underwent unenhanced MR imaging or CT. Cr levels and glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were grouped according to when they were obtained (before imaging, 1-2 days after imaging, 3-5 days after imaging, 6-9 days after imaging, 10-45 days after imaging, and more than 45 days after imaging). Serum Cr levels and GFRs for each time period were compared between groups by using hierarchic regressions or x(2) or Fisher exact tests and with repeated-measures analysis of variance to compare groups on the rate of change in serum Cr levels and GFRs from before to after imaging. Results: Cr levels decreased and GFRs increased in both groups from before to after imaging (CT group, P <= 01; MR imaging group, P <= 01). The neonates who underwent contrast material-enhanced imaging and the neonates who underwent unenhanced imaging showed similar serum Cr levels at all examined time periods. Groups also did not differ in the proportion of neonates with serum Cr levels higher than the reference range (> 0.4 mg/ dL) at any time point (iodine-[ P > 12] or gadolinium-based [P > 13] contrast material). Similar findings were observed for GFRs. None of the neonates developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Conclusion: In the absence of known renal failure, neonates receiving standard inpatient care do not appear to be at increased risk for developing renal toxicity due to administration of intravenous iodine-and gadolinium-based contrast material.