MHRA warns that babies might be getting serious burns from use of antiseptic solution

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has warned that an antiseptic solution could have contributed to the deaths of three babies in hospitals in the UK. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic solution used to prevent catheter-related infections in premature babies. It is understood that the MHRA has received 13 reports of babies born and treated with the solution before 32 weeks of pregnancy who consequently suffered serious side effects including erythema and chemical burns (with or without skin loss) between 2004 and 2013, with a further 16 cases identified in medical literature. The MHRA has now produced a drug safety update so that medical professionals know how much solution to use in future.

Paul McNeil, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury with Fieldfisher says: "It is deeply saddening to hear this tragic news and our hearts go out to the families concerned. It is concerning that is has taken so long for this story to come to light. It is imperative that hospitals follow the new MHRA guidelines for using this solution so that we can stop these tragedies happening".

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