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Jan 20
Infants\' liquid medicines risky
LONDON: An Indian-origin expert at the University of Leicester has led a major study that shows that infants given liquid medicines are exposed to
risk from the chemicals used.

The study led by Dr Hitesh Pandya, senior lecturer in Child Health, documents the non-drug ingredients (excipients) present in liquid medicines given to premature infants as part of their medical care.

The study revealed that the chemicals added to medicines to improve their taste, absorption and to prolong their shelf-life could be potentially harmful to very small babies.

The chemicals generally used are ethanol, sorbitol and Ponceaau 4R (a colouring agent). The study revealed that premature babies are exposed to these potentially harmful excipients in amounts equivalent to over three pints of beer per week.

\"This study documents a worldwide problem. It shows that the collection of medicines given to babies may ultimately lead to them being exposed to harmful chemicals with the potential for short and long-term toxic effects.

\"Our research highlighted this, and we are planning further studies on the chemicals to understand exactly what these effects might be. What our study hasn\'t done is find any direct evidence on the cause and effect of these chemicals and the medical problems that these babies might be being treated for,\" Dr Pandya said.

Dr Andrew Currie, Consultant at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust who was also part of the research team, said, \"Parents should not panic about these findings. These chemicals can be found in foods all around the world.

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