The effects of two doses of tolazoline have been compared in 2 groups of newborns suffering from the persistent fetal circulation syndrome. The effects on PaO2 and AaDO2 were similar in the 2 groups who received either a bolus of 1 or 0.5 mg X kg-1 tolazoline, followed by a continuous infusion of 1 or 0.5 mg X kg-1 X h-1. The observed changes did not differ significantly from those previously observed in babies treated with 2 mg X kg-1. A rise in PaO2 and a reduction in AaDO2 were usually observed shortly after the bolus injection and at plasma levels between 1.5 and 4 micrograms X ml X -1. A progressive rise in plasma level over time occurred after 1 mg X kg-1 (and in the previous study of 2 mg) but not with 0.5 g/kg tolazoline. The elimination half-life of tolazoline in 6 patients was 5 to 13 h. The data suggest that continuous infusion of tolazoline is not necessarily required and that the dose of 0.5 mg/kg is more appropriate and safer than the higher doses usually proposed.