Possible Adverse Effect of Methylglucamine Diatrizoate Compounds on the Bowel of Newborn Infants with Meconium Ileus

Abstract
Gastrografin (methylglucamine diatrizoate) enemas were carried out in 2 newborn infants with meconium ileus. Evacuation was slow and incomplete. Both patients died within 72 h following enemas from bowel necrosis, perforation and peritonitis. Although it was not possible to implicate Gastrografin directly as the cause, it may have contributed substantially to bowel necrosis. Recent evidence of colonic inflammation and occasionally necrosis caused by Gastrografin lends support to this hypothesis. Caution should be exercised to prevent not only the systemic osmotic effects of Gastrografin, but also potential local injury to the bowel, especially when underlying disease interferes with intestinal viability.

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