Werewolf syndrome

AT least 14 babies in Andalucia have been affected my ‘werewolf syndrome’ after taking contaminated anti-reflux medicine distributed by a Malaga company.

Called hypertrichosis, the condition leads to excessive hair growth in parts of the body where it should not be present, such as all over the face.

After an analysis carried out by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), it was detected that these preparations, intended to treat gastric reflux in infants, contained minoxidil, an active ingredient used to combat alopecia.

These cases led to the withdrawal of a total of 23 batches of Omeprazol from the company Farma-Química Sur, two of which had tested positive for minoxidil, while the others were removed from the market as a preventative measure. They had been distributed to about 30 pharmacies.

Health authorities say that the babies affected should return to normal and lose the excessive hair.