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Colic medication and apparent life-threatening events

R A Hardoin1, J A Henslee, C P Christenson

  • 1Southwest SIDS Research Institute, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566.

Clinical Pediatrics
|May 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Colic medications containing Dramamine and Donnatal may cause cardiorespiratory instability and GER in infants. Further evaluation is needed to confirm if these common infant colic treatments contribute to apparent life-threatening events (ALTE).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Neonatology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) in infants often lack clear etiology.
  • Infants experiencing ALTE were previously treated for colic with a mixture of dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and Donnatal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential link between colic medication and cardiorespiratory abnormalities and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants presenting with ALTE.

Main Methods:

  • Case series evaluation of eight infants with ALTE histories.
  • Polygraphic evaluation conducted after withdrawal of dimenhydrinate/Donnatal colic medication.
  • Assessment for cardiorespiratory abnormalities and significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

Main Results:

  • All eight infants exhibited cardiorespiratory abnormalities upon polygraphic evaluation.
  • Significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was documented in four of the eight infants.
  • No underlying cause for ALTE was identified through comprehensive initial work-up.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests a potential contribution of dimenhydrinate/Donnatal colic medication to cardiorespiratory instability and GER in susceptible infants.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm the role of this common colic treatment in infant ALTE.

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