Toxic methaemoglobin concentrations in premature infants after application of a prilocaine-containing cream and peridural prilocaine.
We report on a retrospective analysis of eight episodes of toxic methaemoglobinaemia in seven premature infants after the combined exposure to prilocaine by EMLA cream (12.5 mg prilocaine) and caudal anaesthesia (5.4-6.7 mg/kg prilocaine). The causative relationship between prilocaine and the infants' deterioration came to our attention through an anonymous voluntary incident-reporting system. The highest methaemoglobin concentration found was 30.6% (5.5 h after anaesthesia). All infants were symptomatic (mottled skin, paleness, cyanosis, poor peripheral perfusion) and two were exposed to unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for unspecified deterioration in their conditions. Pharmacokinetic evaluation indicated a single compartment first-order elimination with a methaemoglobin half-life of 8 h. Normal levels (<1%) were reached 36 h after exposure to prilocaine.


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas local skin application of prilocaine to premature babies is safe, peridural administration is not because premature infants are more sensitive to methaemoglobin inducing agents and tolerate methaemoglobinaemia less well.
Frey
B
B
Intensive Care Unit, Ostschweizer Kinderspital, CH-9006 St Gallen, Switzerland.
Kehrer
B
B
D000763:Anesthesia, Caudal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine