The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) announced this morning, in a brief statement, the death of a 10-day-old infant by cardiopulmonary arrest. The child had received a dose of Uvesterol at home. This drug is used to deliver vitamin D to newborns. Immediately, the web was packed and obviously parents worried: should you interrupt the treatment of your children? Is vitamin D dangerous? We answer your questions.

Is the medicine the cause of death?

For now, we do not know if the Uvesterol is responsible. However, this medicine has been under surveillance since 2006 because of its mode of administration. It is delivered with a pipette that could lead to false roads and, in extremely rare cases, vagal discomfort in infants and apnea. The ANSM specifies that " risk reduction measures have been implemented through a better adaptation of the product to secure the administration and strengthening recommendations to prescribers and families ". Nevertheless, there is still doubt about the safety of these pipettes.

Is vitamin D dangerous?

No. It is not the product that is the focus of the investigation and alerts, but the way it is issued . To give vitamin D to an infant is essential, at least until this one is 18 months old. Vitamin D deficiency can cause serious health problems such as rickets. Complications can be fatal, so do not overlook vitamin D, essential for growth .

Should we stop the Uvesterol?

For the moment the health authorities do not give an answer and, we repeat, we do not know if the drug is responsible for the death. Nevertheless, there is another way to give vitamin D to a newborn. We can therefore ask a different medicine to his pediatrician, in the form of drops to deposit on the tongue, for example. And above all, there are simple precautions to take to minimize the risk of false route. First, the drug should be given slowly (especially not at once), and the infant should be in a sitting or semi-sitting position, never lying down . The head must be held. Do not extend the child immediately after administration.