Which prep agent was historically removed due to safety concerns including CNS toxicity in infants?

Which prep agent was historically removed due to safety concerns including CNS toxicity in infants?

• A. Hexachlorophene
• B. Iodophors
• C. Alcohols
• D. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)

Answer: (A)

The main idea is understanding how safety concerns shape which skin prep agents are used, especially in vulnerable populations like infants. Hexachlorophene was phased out because it can penetrate the skin and reach the central nervous system in neonates, where the blood-brain barrier is not fully developed. This led to serious CNS toxicity, including brain injury and seizures in infants, prompting recalls and removal from many products and hospital use. That history distinguishes it from other common prep agents, such as iodophors, alcohols, and chlorhexidine gluconate, which do not have the same neonatal CNS toxicity signal and remain in use with appropriate precautions.

The main idea is understanding how safety concerns shape which skin prep agents are used, especially in vulnerable populations like infants. Hexachlorophene was phased out because it can penetrate the skin and reach the central nervous system in neonates, where the blood-brain barrier is not fully developed. This led to serious CNS toxicity, including brain injury and seizures in infants, prompting recalls and removal from many products and hospital use. That history distinguishes it from other common prep agents, such as iodophors, alcohols, and chlorhexidine gluconate, which do not have the same neonatal CNS toxicity signal and remain in use with appropriate precautions.