Contact Burn with Blister Formation in Children Treated with Sennosides

Kimberly Cogley1, Andrea Echevarria1, Catalina Correa1

  • 1Colorectal Center for Children, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pediatric Dermatology
|January 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children using sennosides for constipation can develop severe contact burns, especially when wearing diapers overnight. To prevent these burns, administer sennosides to allow daytime bowel movements, not during sleep.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Dermatology
  • Adverse Drug Reactions

Background:

  • Sennosides are commonly prescribed stimulant laxatives for managing pediatric constipation.
  • Severe constipation in children often requires consistent and effective treatment regimens.

Observation:

  • A cohort of eight pediatric patients experienced unexpected contact burns with blisters.
  • These injuries were directly linked to the overnight use of sennosides while wearing diapers.

Findings:

  • The use of sennosides in children, particularly those who are diapered, can lead to severe skin irritation and blistering.
  • Overnight administration appears to be a critical factor in the development of these adverse events.

Implications:

  • Healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing sennosides to diapered children.
  • Adjusting the timing of sennoside administration to facilitate daytime bowel movements may prevent these serious side effects.

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