Mekoniumverhalten bei Fohlen: Wirkung und Sicherheit von Macrogol 4000 auf den Abgang des Mekoniums beim Fohlen: Eine Placebo-kontrollierte Vergleichsstudie
Meconium retention in neonatal foals – Efficacy and safety of Macrogol 4000 on the release of meconium in foals in a Macrogol – A double blind placebo-controlled study
Brauch A, Vervuert I, Randow T, Venner M
DOI: 10.21836/PEM20200101
Jahr: 2020
Volume: 36
Ausgabe: 1
Seiten: 4–10
Meconium retention is one of the most frequent diseases in neonate foals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Kinderlax®, a high-molecular polyethylenglycol, in the prevention of meconium retention in neonate foals. For this we compared Kinderlax® as an add-on preparation to the usual enema application, in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. In total 79 healthy male foals were included into the study and were randomly allocated to either the placebo-group (n = 42) or the Kinderlax®-group (n = 37). One hour after birth 150 mL of colostrum and 50 mL of water was orally administered once to the foals. For the foals in the Kinderlax®-group, 12 g Kinderlax® (0.24 g/kg) were dissolved in water and administered orally before the colostrum, as a previous test with the human dosage of 0.32 g/kg had induced signs of colic in 8 foals. Both groups were administered an enema of 120 ml 4 % diluted acetylcysteine as a standard procedure in the prevention of meconium retention. Over 18 hours the foals were regularly checked for signs of dehydration and meconium retention. At two hours after birth a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination of the jejunum and duodenum was performed. 10 hours after birth, during the new-born-check, blood-samples were taken. Faecal samples were collected according to a standardized protocol four times during the study. For this, diapers were fixed on the hind quarters of the foals. To prevent the urine from mixing with the faeces, only male foals were included and a hole for the prepuce was cut into the diaper. Directly after collecting, the faeces samples were visually examined and the pH value was evaluated. Samples were frozen until further analysis of dry matter and crude ash. No foals showed signs of dehydration at any time. There were no significant differences between the groups as to the findings in the ultrasonographic examination or the faeces samples. Concentration of serum immunoglobulins were higher in the Kinderlax®-group compared to the placebo group although there was no difference in the quality of colostrum of the mares between both groups. In total eleven foals showed signs of meconium retention (14 %), eight were in the placebo-group and three in the Kinderlax®-group. However, this difference was not significant. No foals showed any signs of adverse effects related to the application of Kinderlax®. In this study Kinderlax® showed no advantage in the prevention of meconium retention in the dosage of 12 g. However, in a preliminary study, 16 g Kinderlax® was associated with moderate to severe signs of colic. A higher dosage or repeated administration of Macrogol might be a better option and should be investigated in the future.