title: Diverse range of fixed positional deformities and bone growth restraint provoked by flaccid paralysis in embryonic chicks.
abstract: Pancuronium bromide (PB) is used in neonates and pregnant women to induce limp, flaccid paralysis in order to allow mechanical ventilation during intensive care. Such non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs are administered to 0.1% of all human births in the UK. In this study, we examined PB effects on skeletal development in chick embryos. PB treatment produced skeletal deformities associated with significant reduction in longitudinal growth of all appendicular elements. This was associated with greater cartilage to bone ratios, indicating a preferential reduction in osteogenesis. PB also increased the incidence of knee joint flexion and tibiotarsal joint hyperextension. In addition to limb, spinal and craniofacial deformities, flaccid immobility appears to convert the normal geometric pattern of weight gain to a simple arithmetic accretion. This novel study highlights the potentially harmful effects of pharmacologically induced flaccid immobility on chick embryonic skeletal development. Whilst in ovo avian development clearly differs from human, our findings may have implications for the fetus, premature and term neonate receiving such non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs.
authors: Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, UK.
authors: Katherine J
authors: KJ
authors: Lamb
authors: Jo C
authors: JC
authors: Lewthwaite
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Lin
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Simon
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: Kavanagh
authors: Caroline P D
authors: CP
authors: Wheeler-Jones
authors: Andrew A
authors: AA
authors: Pitsillides
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D007596:Joints / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D017880:Limb Deformities, Congenital / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000196:embryology; D019148:Neuromuscular Blockade / Q000009:adverse effects; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000633:toxicity*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D010197:Pancuronium