Accidental Administration of Oxytocin to a Premature Infant

Oxytocin has been used for several decades in close proximity to newborns, yet no published information is available regarding complications associated with its accidental administration to a newborn. We describe a case where oxytocin instead of vitamin K was accidentally administered intramuscularly to a premature infant shortly after birth. The patient described remained hemodynamically stable but developed transient hyponatremia as the sole biochemical abnormality.