title: [Partial atrioventricular block and prolonged QT interval in 4 premature infants receiving diphemanil].
abstract: Four premature infants presenting with episodes of bradycardia in the first weeks of life were given diphemanil. One of them received an overdose accidentally. Paradoxically, this induced a permanent bradycardia leading to the discovery of a grade II A-V block as well as a prolonged QT interval. Discontinuation of the drug resulted in a prompt normalization of these changes. It is felt that this anticholinergic therapy may have caused a prolongation of the QT interval and, therefore, a partial A-V block in case of sinus tachycardia. Thus, such a therapy should not be given to young premature infants without having checked the QT interval on a ECG tracing and having made sure that it is adapted to the actual heart rate. It is also advised to reduce usual doses.
authors.affiliation: Service de Cardiologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, Paris.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villain
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kachaner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Le Bidois
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guyon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonnet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Granier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grevisse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucet
mesh_terms: D001919:Bradycardia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010880:Piperidines; C028209:diphemanil methylsulfate
vernacular_title: Bloc auriculo-ventriculaire partiel et allongement de QT chez quatre prématurés recevant du diphémanil.