October 2002

• Erythromycin and Pyloric Stenosis
• Living independently — and safely — in your later years

Erythromycin and Pyloric Stenosis

A study published in the July 2002 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine confirms suspicions that a common antibiotic can cause a serious condition in very young infants.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurs when the muscle surrounding the outlet from the stomach becomes overgrown and obstructs the passage of food into the intestines. The condition, which usually arises in the first three to five weeks of life, causes projectile vomiting. This can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances that affect kidney function. Physicians have long believed that exposure to the antibiotic erythromycin is related to the condition.

To investigate the link, researchers tracked the antibiotic use and IHPS occurrence in over 314,000 infants between 1985 and 1997. Of the 7,138 infants given prescriptions for erythromycin within the first 90 days of life, 804 were diagnosed with pyloric stenosis. Further analysis showed that while infants younger than two weeks old were rarely given erythromycin, those who were exposed within the first two weeks of life were eight times as likely to develop IHPS as an infant who had not received the drug during this time. Babies who received erythromycin after the first two weeks did not appear to have an increased risk for the condition.

Physicians commonly use erythromycin to treat infants with illnesses such as respiratory and ear infections, whooping cough, and conjunctivitis. The results of this study suggest the risks and benefits of erythromycin need to be carefully weighed — and perhaps other antibiotics tried — before it is prescribed for use in infants younger than two weeks.

October 2002 Update

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Living independently — and safely — in your later years

The majority of older people remain independent well into later life. Most seniors want to remain in their own homes, a goal that’s easier to accomplish if they adapt their lives and homes to accommodate their aging bodies. Some tips for independent living include:

Redecorate. The average home is riddled with obstacles that older eyes and feet might not be able to maneuver around. Removing slippery throw rugs, using night lights, putting nonskid mats in the bathroom and kitchen, not using high-gloss floor polishes, and installing handrails that extend beyond the bottom stair can all help. You can often fit your bathrooms with items like walk-in showers, grab bars, and higher toilet seats. Ramps, elevators, and other devices can help you handle stairs. Keep often-needed items in the handiest cabinets and use a grasping tool to get things that are out of reach instead of climbing on a chair or ladder.

Lifestyle changes. Wearing rubber-soled shoes and getting regular exercise can help keep you upright. Activities like tai chi or yoga especially help since they work on balance and strength, and are not jarring on muscles or bones. Limit your alcohol intake and learn whether any of your medications might cause dizziness or affect your balance.

Seek helping hands. Shopping for groceries and other essentials can be accomplished over the phone and via the Internet these days. Meal preparation, transportation, home repair, housecleaning, and help with financial or personal tasks such as paying bills and bathing might be hired out if you can afford it, shared among friends and family, or included in the repertoire of elder services offered in your community or through insurance.

Plan for emergencies. Who can check in on you regularly? Whom can you call in an emergency? What would happen if you fell and couldn’t reach the phone? Keep emergency numbers near each phone or, better still, on speed dial. Carry a cell phone or consider investing in a personal alarm system, if necessary. Look into companionship services or simple visits and phone checks from a local agency on aging or religious group. To find agencies near you, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit their web site at www.aoa.dhhs.gov/elderpage/locator.html.

October 2002 Update

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