Cough and cold are the most frequent symptoms seen in children
It has become a trend to keep medicines at home for cough and cold
Many Parents are in habit of giving self medications to their children without any knowledge of dose and frequency of admininstration
Moreover,the dose of medicines keeps on changing in children unlike in adults
Parents are giving cough and cold medications for other purposes also like while air travelling to sedate the baby.
Cough and cold medications containing DIPHENHYDRAMINE ,when given in excessive doses,act as stimulants rather than sedatives.
The preparation containing DIPHENHYDRAMINE has killed many children.
There is evidence that these medications do not lessen the severity or duration of cough and cold.
Maximum deaths have occured in children below 2 years of age
In many homes,children easily access these medicines
THESE MEDICINES SHOULD NEVER BE PRESCRIBED IN CHILDREN BELOW 2 YEARS OF AGE
REFERENCES:Pediatrics: “Pediatric Fatalities Associated With Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications,” “Pediatric Poisoning Fatalities: Beyond Cough and Cold Medications.