[Partial atrioventricular block and prolonged QT interval in 4 premature infants receiving diphemanil]

Arch Fr Pediatr. 1990 Jan;47(1):33-5.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Four premature infants presenting with episodes of bradycardia in the first weeks of life were given diphemanil. One of them received an overdose accidentally. Paradoxically, this induced a permanent bradycardia leading to the discovery of a grade II A-V block as well as a prolonged QT interval. Discontinuation of the drug resulted in a prompt normalization of these changes. It is felt that this anticholinergic therapy may have caused a prolongation of the QT interval and, therefore, a partial A-V block in case of sinus tachycardia. Thus, such a therapy should not be given to young premature infants without having checked the QT interval on a ECG tracing and having made sure that it is adapted to the actual heart rate. It is also advised to reduce usual doses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bradycardia / drug therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Block / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Parasympatholytics / adverse effects*
  • Parasympatholytics / therapeutic use
  • Piperidines / adverse effects*
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Parasympatholytics
  • Piperidines
  • diphemanil methylsulfate