Final answer:
Tetracycline can cause permanent discoloration of the teeth when given to children under 8 years old, due to its binding with calcium in developing teeth.
Step-by-step explanation:
When tetracycline is administered to children under the age of 8, one of the notable adverse effects is the permanent discoloration of the teeth. Tetracyclines are known to bind to calcium in developing teeth, which can disrupt the natural coloration, leading to a yellow, brown, or grey discoloration that is often irreversible. The tetracycline class of antibiotics works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, and while they are valuable for treating a wide range of infections, caution must be taken with specific populations, such as young children, due to their side effects. This consideration is particularly important because the cosmetic impact on a child's developing teeth can have long-term consequences.
The adverse effect that can result if tetracycline is administered to children under 8 years of age is permanent discoloration of the teeth. Tetracycline is known to bind to the developing teeth and cause the enamel to become discolored.
This adverse effect happens because tetracycline can be incorporated into the mineralizing enamel while teeth are still developing. This results in a yellow or grayish discoloration of the permanent teeth that have not yet erupted.
It is important to avoid administering tetracycline to children under 8 years of age to prevent this unwanted side effect.