Symptomatic infants treatment

Six infants with cholestasis (aged 3-16 weeks) and signs of CMV infection were given intravenous ganciclovir for 3-7 weeks (431). One patient with septo-optic dysplasia and hypothyroidism had episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia during treatment, which was withdrawn. 

In a retrospective review of all dysrhythmias in children with prenatal cocaine exposure, 18 cases were detected in 554 infants who had positive urine screens for cocaine (318). In 13 neonates the dysrhythmia occurred beyond the period of direct cocaine exposure and six of the children had dysrhythmias after the neonatal period. Most of the dysrhythmias were supraventricular extra beats. Overall, the rate of consultations for dysrhythmias was higher among cocaine-exposed neonates than expected. Some cocaine-exposed children had symptomatic dysrhythmias that were persistent or recurrent and required treatment to maintain cardiac output and restore normal cardiac rhythm. Children who were exposed prenatally to cocaine appeared to be at increased risk of abnormal responses to stress, manifested by symptomatic dysrhythmias beyond the period of cocaine exposure. 

For acute toxicity, emesis is recommended. Treatment is symptomatic. A combination of BAL (British AntiLewisite 2,3-dimercaptopropanol) and calcium-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid has been used successfully in a poisoned infant. Penicillamine has also been used. Recently, oral administration of 2,3-dime-rcaptol-propane sulfonate was found to be effective in experimental rodents. Electrolyte balance must be maintained when gastric lavage is indicated. Potassium ferrocyanide should be added to precipitate the copper. 

Most patients with acute diarrhea experience mild to moderate distress. In the absence of moderate to severe dehydration, high fever, and blood or mucus in the stool, this illness is usually self-limiting within 3 to 7 days. Mild to moderate acute diarrhea is usually managed on an outpatient basis with oral rehydration, symptomatic treatment, and diet. Elderly persons with chronic illness and infants may require hospitalization for parenteral rehydration and close monitoring. 

O Donovan JC, Donaldson JS, Morello FP, et al. (1997) Symptomatic hemangiomas and venous malformations in infants, children, and young adults treatment with percutaneous injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate. AJR Am J Roentgenol 169 723-729... 

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