Gray baby syndrome is an adverse reaction to chloramphenicol that is characterized by abdominal distention, hemodynamic collapse, and ashen-gray skin discoloration in neonates.
What is the cause of GREY baby syndrome?
Gray baby syndrome is a rare, life-threatening condition that can develop in babies and children up to the age of 2. The condition is a potential side effect of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. This medication is used to treat a variety of infections, such as bacterial meningitis.
Which drug may cause gray baby syndrome?
Gray baby syndrome is a condition in which an infant experiences a life-threatening reaction to the antibiotic Chloramphenicol. It is more prevalent in premature infants since an adverse reaction is directly related to the liver’s ability to break down and process the medication.
What happens in GREY baby syndrome?
The gray baby syndrome is a type of circulatory collapse that can occur in premature and newborn infants and is associated with excessively high serum levels of chloramphenicol. It is characterized by an ashen-gray color, abdominal distention, vomiting, flaccidity, cyanosis, circulatory collapse, and death.
What are the symptoms of blue baby syndrome?
Blue Baby Syndrome 101
Symptoms can include bluish skin (cyanosis), rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of consciousness, and seizures. A high percentage of methemoglobin in the blood can lead to death.
Do Babies Come out GREY?
Caucasian babies are often dull red or dull bluish gray in colour, and dark-skinned babies are often purplish-gray. Newborn babies may be born covered in waxy vernix, and their skin might look mottled at first. They may turn red from head to foot if they are crying furiously.
What are the side effects of phototherapy?
When used for skin conditions, phototherapy is generally considered safe. However, short-term side effects you may experience are redness, dry skin, itchy skin, nausea (if PUVA is used), folliculitis, and blisters.
Can chloramphenicol be used on babies?
Chloramphenicol can be used by most adults and children. The eye drops and eye ointment are available to buy in pharmacies. For children under 2 years old, you’ll need a prescription for chloramphenicol from your doctor.
How can you prevent chloramphenicol toxicity?
Serious toxicity was associated with either prescription of dosages greater than that recommended or overdosage of chloramphenicol. High concentrations in young neonates may be avoided by prescribing and giving the recommended dose and then careful monitoring; concentrations should be maintained between 15 and 25 mg/l.
How is bronze baby syndrome treated?
No treatment is required for the bronze baby syndrome as the pigmentation slowly disappears after stopping phototherapy. Three cases have been reported; there was one case each of bile duct atresia, galactosemia, and parenteral nutrition with cholestasis.
Why is ceftriaxone not used in neonates?
Ceftriaxone – safety in neonates
It can precipitate if used together with calcium leading to severe reactions including neonatal death. Other possible adverse events of significance in the neonate include biliary sludging, kernicterus and increased chances of invasive candidiasis.
What does kernicterus mean?
Kernicterus is a type of brain damage that can result from high levels of bilirubin in a baby’s blood. It can cause athetoid cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Kernicterus also causes problems with vision and teeth and sometimes can cause intellectual disabilities.
Is chloramphenicol ear drop safe in pregnancy?
Chloramphenicol may be absorbed systemically following the use of ear drops and may cross the placenta and appear in breast milk. Therefore this product is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Who Cured blue baby syndrome?
Vivien Theodore Thomas (August 29, 1910 – November 26, 1985) was an American laboratory supervisor who developed a procedure used to treat blue baby syndrome (now known as cyanotic heart disease) in the 1940s.
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| Vivien Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Institutions | Johns Hopkins Hospital, Vanderbilt University Hospital |
| Research | Blue baby syndrome |
Why is my newborn blue around the mouth?
“If your baby’s lips are turning blue, or the mucus membranes in their mouth or tongue turn blue, this is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen,” says Carrie Drazba, MD, a pediatrician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This condition is known as cyanosis.
What causes methemoglobinemia in infants?
Methemoglobinemia among infants is a rare and potentially fatal condition caused by genetic enzyme deficiencies, metabolic acidosis, and exposure to certain drugs and chemicals. The most widely recognized environmental cause of this problem is ingestion of nitrate-containing water.