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[QT prolongation and circulatory arrest after an injection of erythromycin in a newborn infant]
Insights
Intravenous erythromycin can cause severe cardiac issues in newborns, including arrhythmia and heart block. Monitoring infants with electrocardiograms (ECG) during erythromycin treatment is recommended due to potential arrhythmogenic risks.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal pharmacology
- Pediatric cardiology
- Infectious disease treatment
Abstract:
A 8 day-old full-term newborn showed severe cardiac disturbances after intravenous injection of erythromycin. The neonate, suspected of having Chlamydia pneumonitis because of tachypnea and rhinitis, had been given 5 injections of erythromycin without clinical effect. Pallor, vomiting and bradycardia developed a few minutes after the 6th injection, and ECG showed ventricular arrhythmia, prolonged QT interval and an atrioventricular block. The infant died in intensive care unit. This case and the analysis of other published cases of cardiac disturbances following the parenteral use of erythromycin, indicate the potential arrhythmogenic risk of this drug. It is suggested that newborns treated with erythromycin should be monitored by ECG.