Clarithromycin treatment and QT prolongation in childhood.
The effect of clarithromycin on the QT interval was studied in a group of 28 children treated for respiratory tract infections. QTc was measured before and following 24 h of treatment. A modest (average 22 ms, 95% CI 14-30 ms) but significant QTc prolongation (p<0.001) was observed, with seven cases having a QTc >440 ms during treatment (including a single case with QTc >460 ms).


CONCLUSIONS
Serial QTc measurements are necessary for early detection of children at risk for drug-induced arrhythmias.
Germanakis
Ioannis
I
Department of Paediatrics, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece. germjohn@med.uoc.gr
Galanakis
Emmanouil
E
Parthenakis
Fragiskos
F
Vardas
Panos E
PE
Kalmanti
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin