When your baby is sick, it can be scary to try and solve the problem without knowing what’s wrong. After all, your baby can’t tell you what’s hurting or bothering them, and you would do anything to help them feel better. But, all medications carry a risk of potential side effects.
What is Chloramphenicol?
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic. It was isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae. First discovered in 1947, it was the first antibiotic used in large-scale production.
However, within a few years, doctors and scientists realized that chloramphenicol had some very serious side effects and discontinued its use for many illnesses. Chloramphenicol is still used for many treatments, including for meningitis in people who are allergic to penicillin and eye infections.
What is 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. However, it can affect children up to age two.
Infants with gray baby syndrome experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. A baby’s skin and nails will often turn a gray color from lack of oxygen, while the lips turn blue.
Other symptoms of gray baby syndrome include:
- Irritable and fussy demeanor
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Pressure or distension in the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
If your baby experiences any of these symptoms, talk to a medical professional immediately. Check any medication labels for Chloramphenicol. Remember that the drug may pass into your infant’s system if you use the medication while breastfeeding.
Given in the appropriate dosage to a healthy infant, Chloramphenicol is not dangerous. However, an increase in dosage may lead to a buildup of the medication in your baby’s system. Additionally, if your baby has other health concerns, they may contribute to an increased risk of gray baby syndrome.
Diagnosing Gray Baby Syndrome
Usually, parents can tell the attending physician about the use of Chloramphenicol when reviewing medical history and recent medications. However, if the cause of your baby’s symptoms is not easily identified, additional tests are needed to rule out other serious conditions such as:
- Neonatal sepsis
- Non-accidental trauma
- Midgut volvulus
- Congenital heart disease
- Issues with metabolism
Blood work will include:
- Glucose
- Complete blood count
- Complete metabolic panel
- Blood gas analysis
- Serum ammonia
- Serum lactic acid
Your doctor may also request a chest and abdominal x-ray as well as CT scans, ultrasounds, and an electrocardiogram.
Treating Gray Baby Syndrome
When symptoms are identified early, the doctor can get your baby on the road to recovery. Charcoal hemoperfusion and exchange transfusion are traditionally used to absorb and remove the Chloramphenicol from your infant’s system. Additionally, other antibiotics are needed to help your baby’s body fight off infection.
Since the decrease in blood flow may lower your baby’s temperature, they may need warming blankets or a heat lamp. Oxygen is administered, so your baby doesn’t have to work as hard to oxygenate their blood through breathing. If needed, they will also be intubated. By stabilizing your baby’s system as quickly as possible using these techniques, additional damage to their body may be prevented.
Preventing Gray Baby Syndrome
Chloramphenicol is not an over-the-counter medication, so it must be prescribed. Always read warning labels completely before giving any medication to your infant or child, whether you have a prescription or not. Talk to your child’s pediatrician or your local pharmacist about any concerns you have about the medications you are prescribed.
Anytime you give your infant or child a new medication that hasn’t been used before, watch for signs of an adverse reaction. Call your pediatrician’s office or take your baby to the emergency room at the first sign of any gray baby syndrome symptoms. While they may appear to be the same symptoms as a milder illness, they could also be much worse. It’s always better to be safe.
