Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
15:27
Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
15.3K
Essential medicines containing ethanol elevate blood acetaldehyde concentrations in neonates
H C Pandya1, H Mulla2, M Hubbard3
1Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK. hp28@le.ac.uk.
European Journal of Pediatrics
|March 22, 2016
Summary
Ethanol-containing medicines given to neonates resulted in low blood ethanol levels but elevated acetaldehyde concentrations, a potentially toxic metabolite. This suggests acetaldehyde
Area of Science:
- Neonatal pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Drug metabolism
Background:
- Neonates often receive medications containing ethanol, like iron and furosemide.
- There is limited data on the impact of these medications on blood ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations in preterm infants receiving ethanol-containing medications.
- To assess the potential risks associated with ethanol and acetaldehyde exposure in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Measured blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations in 49 preterm infants dosed with iron or furosemide.
- Included 11 control infants not receiving medications.
- Analyzed concentrations in relation to medication type and time.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving iron or furosemide had low median blood ethanol concentrations (0.33-0.39 mg/L).
- Median blood acetaldehyde concentrations were elevated in infants receiving these medications (0.16-0.21 mg/L), indicating moderate alcohol exposure.
- No clear correlation was found between concentrations and time post-dose.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol-containing medicines in neonates lead to low blood ethanol but potentially concerning acetaldehyde levels.
- The toxic effects of acetaldehyde should be considered in the risk-benefit analysis of these medications for neonates.
Related Concept Videos
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
1.5K
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.5K
01:19Aldehydes and Ketones with Alcohols: Hemiacetal Formation
10.7K
Similar to water, alcohols can add to the carbonyl carbon of the aldehydes and ketones. The addition of one molecule of alcohol to the carbonyl compound forms the hemiacetal or half acetal. As depicted below, in a hemiacetal, the carbon is directly linked to an OH and OR group.
10.7K
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
322
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
322
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
678
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
678
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
1.6K
Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
1.6K
02:29Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis
13.4K
Overview
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
13.4K