HEXACHLOROPHENE AND SKIN CARE OF NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract

The question of safety has been raised by the recent evidence that levels of hexachlorophene in the blood of newborn infants receiving daily baths with a 3% solution are close to levels which are neurotoxic for adult rats. Hexachlorophene is widely used in newborn nurseries, but techniques vary considerably; they range from meticulous, double, early bathing followed by daily baths, to alternate day washing with a diluted solution followed by rinsing off. Blood levels associated with leg weakness progressing to paralysis in the adult rat with chronic oral administration have ranged from 0.985 to 1.48 p.p.m. Toxic manifestations have not been observed nor recognized in newborn infants with "meticulous" daily washing. The chemical is readily absorbed from the skin, resulting in blood levels of 0.009 to 0.646 p.p.m. The compound is excreted as a monoglucuronide in the bile and feces. Convulsions have been reported in an infant 4 days after repeated application of the 3% emulsion to the skin without subsequent rinsing; and, toxic manifestations have been observed in burn patients, but at relatively high serum levels (29 µg/ml), after denuded areas of the skin have been washed with hexachlorophene. It is not known whether or not this substance as currently used on infants is toxic. Although the symptoms observed in adult man and adult rats are similar, the actual blood levels at which symptoms are produced in man appear to be much higher. Symptomatology in the rat with chronic oral administration was accompanied by brain lesions, cerebral edema, and cystic spaces in the white matter of the brain; these lesions were reversible over a period of 6 weeks when hexachlorophene was discontinued.