Parents should be cautious when treating kids for coughs and colds
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every 151 2-year-olds is treated for unintentional medication overdose and 1/3 of emergency room visits for children under 12 involve over-the-counter medication.
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now recommends against the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children younger than 6,” Dr. Julieana Nichols, assistant professor of pediatrics – academic general medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said. “They do not work in this age group, and there have been too many reported deaths and overdoses in young children. There is no benefit and too many risks associated with these children taking them.”
Visit the CDC for more information about their PROTECT Initiative, which aims to curb the number of overdoses in children, and follow these tips when considering medication for a child. Read the news release for additional information.
-By Andy Phifer
