Adverse events associated with intravenous phenytoin in children: a prospective study.
A prospective study was undertaken to assess the type and frequency of adverse side-effects following the use of intravenous phenytoin in children. Twenty-two children received a total of 100 doses over a 10-month period. Six patients (27%) experienced one or more side-effects, including extravasation of the drug, hypotension and cardiac arrhythmia. No patient developed skin necrosis, including the 'purple glove syndrome'. Recovery from all adverse side-effects was spontaneous and complete. It is possible that some or all of these side-effects may have been caused by an excessive rate of infusion of phenytoin or the saline 'flush' following administration of the drug. The overall frequency of side-effects was perhaps less than expected.
Appleton
Richard E
RE
The Roald Dahl EEG Unit, Department of Neurology, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey), Liverpool, UK. richard.appleton@rlch-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
Gill
Andrea
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin