A team of medical scientists from the University of Leicester has published research which looks into the harmful substances in liquid medicines that premature babies are being exposed to.
Research published in the Fetal & Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood documents the non-drug ingredients (excipients) present in liquid medicines given to premature infants as part of their medical care. The study led by Dr Hitesh Pandya, senior lecturer in child health in the department of infection, immunity and inflammation at the University of Leicester and consultant paediatrician at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, revealed that the chemicals added to medicines to improve their taste, absorption and to prolong their shelf-life could be potentially harmful to very small babies. The chemicals generally used are ethanol, sorbitol and Ponceaau 4R (a colouring agent). The study revealed that premature babies are exposed to these potentially harmful excipients in amounts equivalent to over three pints of beer per week. Dr Pandya said: “This study shows that the collection of medicines given to babies may ultimately lead to them being exposed to harmful chemicals with the potential for short and longterm toxic effects. We are planning further studies to understand exactly what these effects might be.” Dr Andrew Currie, consultant at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust who was also part of the research team said: “What the study highlighted is that we have a greater understanding of the side-effects of the drugs than we do of the chemicals that many of these drugs are mixed with; there just simply hasn’t been enough research done. ”
