Summary

A 34-week-old, 1.6 kg preterm boy was admitted for management of mild respiratory distress syndrome. On the third day of life 1 min after an intravenous cannulation attempt at the right cubital fossa, he developed pregangrene bluish discoloration of all fingertips up to the distal interphalangial joint and pallor of right palm. Pulsations on right forearm were reduced. There was no evidence of sepsis.

Enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (1.5 mg/kg (standard dose)) was injected subcutaneously in the abdomen in two doses 12 h apart within 2 h of the event. At 6 h after the first dose, brachial artery pulsation was bilaterally symmetrical. After the second dose, bilateral radial artery pulsation became symmetrical. The pregangrene changes returned to normal within 20 h as the distal phalanges became pink and warm. He was discharged on the eighth day of life. Enoxaparin was safe and effective in this preterm infant for reversal of pregangrene.