Experts say don’t give cough medicine to children under 6

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Colds can be tough for everyone, but it is especially hard for parents to watch their kids suffer through the body aches, stuffy nose and persistent cough.

In the past, many parents have turned to over-the-counter cold and cough medicines for infants and children to fight back symptoms. Last month, however, major manufacturers of over-the-counter infant cough and cold medicines voluntary withdrew their products for children younger than 2, citing fear that they could be inappropriately used. Safety reviewers within the Food and Drug Administration urged the consideration of an outright ban of the products for children younger than 6.

Laurentiu Galan, MD, a pediatrician on the Backus medical staff, said the American Academy of Pediatrics has taken the position that there have been no controlled trials to show these medicines are effective in relieving symptoms in children younger than 6. Dosage guidelines are based on adult data and can be inaccurate for children, and can cause side effects or accidental overdose if parents don’t realize the same ingredients may be in different medicines.

Dr. Galan said a simple cold will run its course. Parents can use Tylenol or ibuprofen to treat body aches and fever. A humidifier can help make the air moist and loosen phlegm. A Vicks plug-in also can be used to help clear the sinus passages. Saline drops can be used to thin and loosen mucus to ease breathing. Try to elevate a baby or toddler’s head to drain mucus, by placing a pillow beneath the mattress.

He said it is important for children to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Signs to watch for to call the pediatrician are if the fever persists, a child is not eating or if there is a change in respiratory status, such as labored breathing.

“It is hard for parents to listen a cough, but it can be a helpful mechanism to loosen mucus. I know it is exasperating for parents, especially at night,” he said.

However, a hacking cough, or one that sounds like a barking seal, can be a sign of croup, which can indicate an upper respiratory infection. In this case, parents should notify their pediatrician.

For more information about which medicines have been withdrawn, see the American Academy of Pediatrics web site at www.aap.org.