Gray baby syndrome

The Grey syndrome or Gray Syndrome describes a disease in premature infants and neonates.

This error is due a failure of the material degradation ( more precisely, the glucuronidation ) by immaturity of the child's enzymes in the liver (immature liver). The glucuronidation works until about 3 months of age, calculated from the expected date of birth, which must be considered in preterm births.

The Grey syndrome manifests itself in ashen Hautcolorit ( hence the name), drop in temperature, vomiting, cyanosis, respiratory depression, refusal of food, circulatory failure. Under certain circumstances, the disease can be fatal.

The therapy consists of immediate discontinuation of the triggering drug (usually chloramphenicol ).

• Disease in pediatrics
• Neonatology