Dennis Quaid's Newborn Twins in Medical Nightmare

TMZ has learned that Dennis Quaid's newborn twins are fighting for their lives after being inadvertently overdosed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Sources tell us the twins -- Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace -- were accidentally given a massive dose of Heparin, an anti-coagulant. Babies typically get 10 units. Our sources say they were each mistakenly given 10,000 units. The drug is used to flush out IV lines and prevent blood clots. We're told one dose was given on Sunday morning, another on Sunday evening.

We're told late Sunday night, both babies started to "bleed out." Both babies are now at Cedars in the neo-natal intensive care unit where we're told they are stable.

The twins were born to Quaid and wife Kimberly Buffington November 8 via surrogate.

A rep for Quaid did not immediately return our call for comment and there was no immediate comment from Cedars.

We're told a technician stored the Heparin in the wrong place, and when a nurse grabbed the medicine for the babies without looking -- it was the wrong dosage.

A source says the babies are now being given Protamine, which reverses the effects of Heparin.

UPDATE: We're told as many as thirteen patients at Cedars were mistakenly given the overdose of Heparin, but the effects are more critical because of the age and weight of the twins.

Story developing ...

Reader Comments

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31. This has happened before. Babies die from this all the time. The adult dose is "accidently" stored in neonatal. I found this story on the FoxNews website. This is a total nightmare for anyone. TMZ you have a responsiblity to the family to be accurate in your reporting of this story. If the medical staff is leaking this, then SHAME on them. Here's the other story I found. Three babies were given adult dose two of them died!!!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214738,00.html

Posted at 2:00PM on Nov 20th 2007 by omofmom

32. OMG, what a nightmare! My prayers are with Dennis and his wife. My brother had life and death surgery at Cedar Sinai and he had the best care in the world. Just goes to show you mistakes can happen anywhere at anytime. God bless the family.

Posted at 2:03PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Lee Lee

33. Oh, how tragic. I have worked medmal law here in LA and Cedars really was rarely one of the careless, but it does happen and it's saddening to see that they are now part of the trend that is so bad in this county. But, most importantly is how very very tragic for all the victims and especially these little babies who haven't even had a chance at life. I pray all will be well. Please continue to update this story. As a parent I can't even imagine their anguish at this.

Posted at 1:56PM on Nov 20th 2007 by How Tragic

34. Nurses are professionals in their own rights. When my baby was in the NICU, I saw how amazing and special nurses can be.

My deepest prayers are with the Quaids. I hope these little babies pull through. You will be in my prayers.

Posted at 1:56PM on Nov 20th 2007 by AZ Mommy

35. I wonder why the twins were still in the hospital if they were born No. 8th. Were they premies?

Posted at 1:58PM on Nov 20th 2007 by cubanita

36. GASP!

Something needs to be done about these "mistakes." People aren't paying attention and this happens all the time. When you're giving someone medicine, especially fragile little newborn babies, you need to check, recheck and then check again! Nothing should be routine.

We'll be praying for his babies and all the kids who were injured by this.

Posted at 2:01PM on Nov 20th 2007 by If you let your head get too big, it will break your neck.

37. Nurses and Doctors nowadays only care about a paycheck. They have no real regard for human life. I hope they all lose their jobs, and go to prison!

Posted at 2:00PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Bam Bam

38.
kidney failure would be one side effect. They are very fortunate to have caught the mistake in time. I'm sure they will be ok. What a night mare for the parents.

To # 13 by um " Kevin ". You took the time to check into this web site to read, and post, The fact that we learned of this should not bother you to much.
The fact that you would seal your post using someone's name to boost your complaint is far more disturbing then TMZ posting it in the first place. .

Posted at 2:01PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Macy

39. This same medication error happened at Childrens hospital in Indy just a few weeks ago in the NICU, the wrong dosage was given to 3 babies, One died..
The same reason was given for the over dose..
Hopefully these babies will survive..
It doesnt matter how much money you have or which hospital you choose ,, we all are at the mercy of these Nurses, Doctors and the pharmacy, one would think someone would catch this mistake..

Posted at 2:01PM on Nov 20th 2007 by sunny

40. I'd be switching Hospitals,the same day!!!!! And call my lawyers

Posted at 2:03PM on Nov 20th 2007 by asap

41. all I can say is WOW!!!!! I hope the nurse is FIRED, along with the stupid-lazy jerk who put the wrong medication where it didn't belong!! Dennis, I will be praying for your babies to have a speedy recoverery!!! If I were you....I'd be in contact with a whole teams of attorneys to SUE the hell outta that hospital, if only to make them accountable for their actions - AND TO PAY ATTENTION!!!!

Posted at 2:14PM on Nov 20th 2007 by dad too

42. Correction all 3 children DIED. This is a stupid thing to happen in this day and age. If nurses can't be responsible with dosage then they need to be fired. I am sure the nurse that administered the dose feels just awful but, still infants could die.

Posted at 2:04PM on Nov 20th 2007 by omofmom

43. Very sad, unfortunatly, very familair where I live. 3 babies died and several more became ill last year in Indianapolis from the EXACT mistake. I hope they get better soon.

Posted at 2:07PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Sarah

44. Why is it that the places we are supposed to feel our children should be safest other than with us (ie: schools, churches, HOSPITALS )seem to be the scariest of all anymore? Makes me want to keep mine at home and never let them out. I am so sorry for those babies and that family....shouldn't these things be checked and rechecked and checked AGAIN before administering??

Posted at 2:11PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Kathy

45. oh yes lets blame the person who stocked the shelves in stead of the moron who did not bother to check and recheck the dosage on the bottle..protocols be damned.

Posted at 2:10PM on Nov 20th 2007 by susan the midwife

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