NCJ Number
136302
Journal
Journal of Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 239-245
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Although chloral hydrate (CH) is widely used in infants, very little information is available on its metabolism and excretion in this age group. Because of the paucity of information with respect to dosage, dosing intervals, clinical and pharmacological effects, adverse effects or lack of therapeutic efficacy may be frequent. Using a previously developed simple, rapid, and sensitive electron-capture gas chromatographic method, a kinetic study was undertaken in neonates receiving multiple doses of CH.
Abstract
T 1/2 values differed significantly from those of the adult: Trichloroethanol (TCE)-35.1 h (adult - 8 h); the glucoronide of TCE-G 29.7 h (6.7 h); trichloroacetic acid (TCA) were not able to be determined (4 days). TCA values were difficult to determine as 14 days after CH therapy, the concentrations of TCA were increasing or had plateaued. Therapeutic concentrations of TCE are reportedly 10 micrograms/milliter (ug/mL), while 100 ug/mL is considered to be toxic. One subject was over the 100 ug/mL level 12 hours after the last dose of CH; others had plasma concentrations greater than 10 ug/mL 12 h following the last dose (Cmax 59.3 ug/mL). The inability to eliminate TCA may be due to protein binding. What effect this has on the binding of bilirubin or other drugs has yet to be determined. Toxicologists are aware of age-related variations in kinetics. It is important to discover what these differences are and how they may affect interpretations if overdoses are suspected. 1 figure, 3 tables, and 13 references (Author abstract)