Caution Using Cold Medications in Infants
Officials of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued a warning to parents of infants who are given certain cold and cough medicines. An evaluation of health records in 2005 of more than 1,500 infants who were seen in emergency rooms over a two year period indicated that at least three children are thought to have died due to bad reactions they experienced to cough and cold medicines. An investigation into the cause of death has centered around a drug called pseudoephedrine. High levels
of the decongestant were found in all the children who died.
Several organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Chest Physicians have provided warnings in the past about certain cold medicine ingredients. The CDC, following this latest incident, is now warning parents not to give common over-the-counter cold medicines to children less than 2 years old, without first consulting a physician. Many pediatricians would rather see parents avoid over-the-counter drugs and, instead, have parents use saline nose drops and provide a humidifier close to the bed of the child.