Background Diuretics are used in premature babies with chronic lung disease despite minimal evidence. The aim of this study was to assess the use of diuretics in neonatal units in England.

Method An electronic survey using Survey Monkey was sent to 108 units in the Medicines for Children Research Network Neonatal Network.

Results There were 66 responses with useable data from 55 unique units. 20% had a protocol for use. 49% would consider starting diuretics after 5 weeks of age and half would start diuretics in situations such as being unable to wean ventilation, unable to extubate, unable to wean off CPAP, chronic lung disease and chronic lung disease in the presence of a PDA. 70% had no rule when to stop diuretics, 22% stopped off supplemental oxygen and 8% off CPAP.

48% use chlorthiazide plus spironolactone in babies who are fully fed and 84% prefer furosemide in babies requiring intravenous treatment.

Table 1 shows the variation in the doses within diuretics.

Conclusions There is wide heterogeneity in the use of diuretics in England. The majority use chlorthiazide plus spironolactone in babies who are fed and furosemide intravenously.