Therapeutic Hazards for the Nursery Infant

Abstract

Dangers to the nursery infant of drugs, environmental factors and technical procedures in common current use are reviewed. Benefits to the infant must be weighed against potential hazards. Recommended dosages of various antimicrobial agents are given, and certain drugs whose use is not justified in nursery infants are discussed. Environmental hazards include oxygen, incubators, personnel, diapers, boric acid and salt. The discussion of technical hazards covers femoral puncture, intramuscular injections, exchange transfusion, resuscitation, circumcision and intravenous fluid therapy.