[Modality of use of vitamin K in France in newborn infants]. / Modalités d'utilisation de la vitamine K en France chez le nouveau-né.

BACKGROUND: Because of the risk of hemorrhagic disease of the neonate secondary to vitamin K deficiency, it is generally agreed that neonates should be given vitamin K. There is however, no consensus concerning the route of administration, dose, number of doses, or dose frequency. It was therefore necessary to determine patterns of vitamin K administration in France. POPULATION AND METHODS: Routine vitamin K administration was studied in 1993 by questionnaires sent to all maternity units in France. RESULTS: Six hundred and forty of the 1,086 questionnaires could be analysed. Vitamin K was never prescribed in 0.3% of maternity units and was given only to high risk neonates in 3%. In healthy neonates receiving milk formulas, the route of administration (oral or IM) agreed with the recommendations of the French Committee of Pediatric Nutrition. In contrast, breast-fed infants were given IM vitamin K in only 19% of the maternité units whereas regular weekly doses were prescribed in only 56%. In premature infants, IM doses were prescribed in only 46% of cases and repeated weekly doses in 34%. The dose generally prescribed (5 mg orally or IM) was not the recommended dose. Among the available products, oral or parenteral vitamin K Roche was the most frequently prescribed. CONCLUSION: New recommendations for the use of vitamin K in the perinatal period in France are necessary.

Lidocaine plasma concentrations in pediatric patients after providing airway topical anesthesia from a calibrated device.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate plasma lidocaine concentrations in infants and children after laryngeal spray using a calibrated device. Twenty-one patients aged 3 to 24 mo requiring laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy were included in the study. Anesthesia was induced via a mask with halothane up to 2% in 100% O2. Lidocaine was administered using a 5% lidocaine spray. For patients weighing less than 10 kg, one spray (8 mg of lidocaine) was administered. For those weighing from 10 to 20 kg, two sprays (16 mg) were given. The dose of lidocaine administered ranged between 0.9 and 2.6 mg/kg. Maximum plasma lidocaine concentration (Cmax) was 1.05 +/- 0.55 micrograms/mL (mean +/- SD; range 0.24-2.29 micrograms/mL). With this procedure, we demonstrated the safety of administering lidocaine to children by laryngeal spraying using a 5% sprayer.

[Determination of drug posology in pediatrics]. / Détermination de la posologie des médicaments en pédiatrie.

The dosage of drugs which might be used in children must be determined to avoid empirical use, even when no application has been submitted for a paediatric licence. Toxicological evaluation and assessment of the effects on growth, an adapted pharmaceutical form and paediatric pharmacokinetic and adult clinical data are essential before conducting trials designed to determine the paediatric dosage. The dose used during preliminary studies is extrapolated from the adult dose expressed in relation to weight, tested in a dose-effect study, and then more accurately defined on the basis of pharmacokinetic data in different age groups. Obtaining consent from both parents for studies whose direct benefit is not always obvious, as well as the global cost of these studies, constitute drawbacks to paediatric drug development. Incentives to determine a paediatric dosage could consist of public participation in funding, prolongation of the patent, and granting an advantageous price for a specifically paediatric pharmaceutical form or indication.

[Rectal injury caused by a broken thermometer. Risks related to mercury]. / Plaie rectale par bris de thermomètre. Risques liés au mercure.

This is a case of local mercury absorption caused by accidental rectal perforation during monitoring of temperature. This complication is only reported in cases of subcutaneous injury by a broken thermometer. Treatment necessitates complete excision of mercury deposits. When mercury remains, a clinical and biochemical follow-up is necessary but indication for chelation therapy is exceptional.

[Prolonged mydriasis caused by Lamaline]. / Mydriase prolongée à la Lamaline.

Atropine derivatives. The presence of atropine derivatives in numerous combined medicines is often ignored or reflected. A case report of prolonged bilateral non reactive mydriasis with "cycloplegia", linked with the utilisation of a therapeutic dose of Lameline suppositories raises the question of individual susceptibility, with particular ocular sensitivity. This urge one not to ignore the presence of these products and to respect the contraindications, even with minute doses.