Medicines Allegedly Cause Acute Kidney Injury in Children Being Studied, RSCM Says
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21 October 2022 09:57 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Public Hospital (RSCM) is examining samples of medicine syrups suspected of causing atypical progressive acute kidney injury.
“At the beginning [of the emergence of cases], we did not think about medicines [as the cause]. So we have just researched it with the last 11 patients or more who are now under treatment. They are examined for [possible] toxicology,” said the hospital director Lies Dina Liastuti in a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, October 20, 2022.
She reported that from January 2022 until date, there are 49 children suffering from atypical progressive acute kidney failure at RSCM. However, not all samples of the suspicious medicines used by the patients had been collected, particularly from old patients or those who had succumbed to the illness.
The samples were brought to a laboratory in tandem with the hospital. Lies claimed her side has not yet received all the results of the examination.
“We are still waiting [for the results]. We have received only the results of six [samples from six patients]. From there, it is already clear that we need the antidote,” Lies said.
She emphasized that her side still did not know the exact cause of atypical progressive acute kidney injury to date, but there is the possibility of intoxication of harmful substances such as ethylene glycol (EG) that penetrate through the mouth.
She also said the investigation is a collaborative effort of various parties, including the Health Ministry, the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), and the pharmaceutical industry. “Everyone is taking a role to find some solutions.”
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin earlier announced a temporary ban on the sales of non-prescription medicine syrups as a conservative measure to prevent the spread of acute kidney failure while waiting for BPOM to finalize their findings regarding the three dangerous chemicals contained in the suspicious liquid drugs.
“The number of toddlers who have been infected with acute kidney injury has reached 70 per month,” said Budi via a short message on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
ANTARA
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