Definition
The Grey syndrome (also: Gray syndrome) describes an acute illness in premature or newborn babies that can occur after administration of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is broken down by the liver. Since the liver of the newborn has not yet taken up its full function, however, the antibiotic cannot be broken down sufficiently, so that it accumulates in the child’s organism. This leads to life-threatening symptoms.
Causes
The trigger for the disease is the administration of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. It is used, for example, to treat serious infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, diphtheria, malaria and meningitis. Due to numerous side effects, it is only used in Germany in local form (eye ointment).
Here too, however, caution should be exercised. The reason for the Grey syndrome is the not yet fully functional liver of the newborn. In order to break down chloramphenicol, the liver must ensure that the drug becomes more water-soluble and can then be excreted via the kidneys.
This process is called glucoronidation. However, this can only be carried out by the liver of the newborn from around the 3rd month of life. Therefore the antibiotic cannot be broken down and accumulates, resulting in intoxication.
Chloramphenicol may enter the breast milk of nursing mothers who are taking the drug. Breastfeeding mothers should therefore not take Chloramphenicol. Aspirin® does not play a role in Grey’s syndrome.
But probably in Reye syndrome. This primarily affects children between the ages of 4 and 10 years who suffer from a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Reye’s syndrome is probably triggered by the administration of Aspirin® when the child is simultaneously infected with varicella zoster virus (triggering chickenpox) or influenza virus (flu).
Reye’s syndrome begins with vomiting, fever, drowsiness and, in smaller children, strong crying. Seizures and coma may occur. In the course of the disease an inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs.
The Reye syndrome is often fatal. Only a rapid onset of symptomatic intensive medical therapy can prevent death. Due to Reye’s syndrome, Aspirin® should never be used in children with a febrile infection without first contacting the treating (pediatric) physician. A better alternative to Aspirin® to reduce fever and pain in children is therefore paracetamol.
