Infusion of di-2-ethylhexylphthalate for neonates: a review of potential health risk

J Infus Nurs. 2005 Jan-Feb;28(1):54-60. doi: 10.1097/00129804-200501000-00007.

Abstract

Plasticizers leach from polyvinyl chloride medical devices into infusion fluids. One plasticizer frequently found is di-2-ethylhexylphthalate. The Food and Drug Administration estimates that di-2-ethylhexylphthalate exposure exceeding a daily tolerable intake of 0.6 mg/kg per day may harm newborns, especially males. Exposure 20 times the tolerable intake or more may be given daily to certain infants, neonates, and premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Currently, scant data exist on the exact dosage to this population. Furthermore, the exact potential for harm, either subtle or overt, is unknown or disputed. Thus, the recording of exposure history and "dose" in the medical record is warranted.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Body Burden
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate / metabolism
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate / poisoning*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Environmental Monitoring* / methods
  • Equipment Safety*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn / metabolism
  • Infusions, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Infusions, Intravenous / instrumentation*
  • Male
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Risk Assessment* / methods
  • Sex Characteristics
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate