Why chloramphenicol is not good for child
Chloramphenicol is not considered safe for children due to several reasons:
1. Gray syndrome: Children below the age of 2 years have an increased risk of developing a serious condition called Gray syndrome when treated with chloramphenicol. Gray syndrome can cause symptoms like abdominal distension, grayish skin color, low body temperature, vomiting, and low blood pressure. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
2. Bone marrow suppression: Chloramphenicol can suppress the production of new blood cells in the bone marrow. Children have a higher sensitivity to this adverse effect, leading to a decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This can result in an increased risk of infections and bleeding.
3. Neurotoxicity: Chloramphenicol has the potential to cause neurotoxicity, particularly in infants. It may lead to symptoms like lethargy, irritability, and jerky movements.
4. Safety concerns: Chloramphenicol has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Monitoring blood levels of chloramphenicol is necessary to ensure that it remains within the therapeutic range. This monitoring can be challenging in children, and the risk of adverse effects is higher if the blood levels exceed the therapeutic range.
Due to these risks, alternative antibiotics that are safer and more appropriate for pediatric use are usually preferred over chloramphenicol in children.