PEDIATRICS Vol. 77 No. 4 April 1986, pp. 507-512
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Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity: Impact on Neurologic Handicaps Among Surviving Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Gerda I. Benda MD1, Janet L. Hiller MD1, and John W. Reynolds MD1

1 From the Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland

Benzyl alcohol perservative in solutions used to flush intravascular catheters has been linked with increased mortality and incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in small preterm infants. This study evaluated the outcome of surviving very low birth weight infants exposed to benzyl alcohol while in our neonatal intensive care unit. Surviving infants, less than 1,250 g birth weight, admitted during the 12 months prior to discontinuation of benzyl alcohol (period I), were compared with those infants admitted during the 12 months after discontinuation of benzyl alcohol (period II). Survivors were enrolled in a follow-up program. Results of the study demonstrated that infants from period II had fewer neurologic handicaps. The incidence of cerebral palsy decreased from 50% to 2.4% (P < .001), and the presence of cerebral palsy and developmental delay combined decreased from 53.9% to 11.9% (P < .001). Several factors other than benzyl alcohol exposure were examined for their importance on outcome but were found not to be related to it. It is concluded that the dramatic improvement in outcome could be the result of discontinuation of benzyl alcohol.

Key Words: benzyl alcohol • newborn • neurologic handicap • very low birth weight infant • intraventricular hemorrhage • cerebral palsy

Submitted on May 24, 1985
Accepted on August 3, 1985


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