Gray Syndrome is found in newborns and is actually the baby's toxic reaction to the drug Chloramphenicol. This drug is used to fight bacterial infections, but newborns do not have the enzymes in their bodies to break down the Chloramphenicol. Therefore, infants have a toxic, and often fatal, reaction to the drug.
Instructions
1. Be mindful of what medications the infant is given. If the infant must have a type of bacteria-fighting medication, request that it not be Chloramphenicol. This way, the infant will not be at risk for Gray Syndrome at all.
2. Keep a close eye on the infant for several days following the administration of Chloramphenicol. If the doctors must give the baby Chloramphenicol, you must keep a close watch on the infant for at least a week after receiving the drug. Generally, the baby will start to show signs of Gray Syndrome 2 to 9 days after receiving treatment.
3. Know the symptoms of Gray Syndrome. First of all, an infant must be given Chloramphenicol in order to develop Gray Syndrome. Symptoms of Gray Syndrome include: low body temperature, blue color of the lips, nail beds, and skin, cardiovascular collapse, vomiting, low blood pressure, loose, green stools, lack of appetite and a limp body.
4. Take the infant to the doctor if he is showing any of these symptoms as soon as possible. Gray Syndrome is fatal to infants if untreated. The main treatment for Gray Syndrome is a blood transfusion to give the infant clean blood and dilute the amount of Chloramphenicol that is already in the bloodstream.
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