Effect of carnitine in diphtheria: A preliminary report

  • Soetono Soetono Department of Child Health, Medical School, Diponegoro University, Semarang
  • Santoso Soeroso Department of Child Health, Medical School, Diponegoro University, Semarang
  • Warsito Sutikno Department of Child Health, Medical School, Diponegoro University, Semarang
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi39.3-4.1999.102-7
Keywords: carnitine, diphtheria, CK-MB level, diphtheritic myocarditis

Abstract

A double placebo controlled trial was conducted on 68 diphtheria
patients who were hospitalized in pediatric ward of Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1991. The age range of the patients was between 7 months to 13 years, with the median of 48 months and the mean of 60.5 (SD 11) months. The pretreatment
characteristics of both groups were similar with respect to sex, the clinical condition on admission, presence of bullneck, nutritional and immunization status. Oral camitine was administered with a dose of 100 mg/kg/ day divided into 3 doses. Other standard treatment was administered to all patients. Post-treatment comparisons were performed on the prevalence of myocarditis, CK-MB level examined on the fifth day of treatment, and mortality. It was found that the prevalence of myocarditis and CK-MB levels' were significantly less than those in the placebo group, while the mortality in the carnitine group (3%) although smaller than in placebo group (17%) was not statistically different. It seems that 1-camitine is useful to prevent diphtheritic myocarditis,
while its effect on improving the overall prognosis needs further study.

References

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Published
1999-04-30
How to Cite
1.
Soetono S, Soeroso S, Sutikno W. Effect of carnitine in diphtheria: A preliminary report. PI [Internet]. 30Apr.1999 [cited 25Apr.2024];39(3-4):102-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/1685
Issue
Vol 39 No 3-4 (1999): March - April 1999
Section
Infection & Tropical Pediatrics

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Received 2017-11-16
Accepted 2017-11-16
Published 1999-04-30