Cuff syrup to children younger than 5 years?Image Credit Source: Getty Images
In the changing season, cases of cold and cold and cough increase rapidly. Recently, some children died in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh due to dextromthorphon and cuff syrup containing diyethylene glycol. These tragic events made it clear how serious the effect of syrup in young children can be. In view of such cases, it is important to understand whether it is safe to give phlegm syrup to children younger than five years. Let us know what experts and who say.
Cuff syrup There are mainly two types, dry cuff syrup and weight cuff syrup. Dry phlegm syrup works to press dry cough, while the weight cuff syrup helps to remove the mucus in the mucamy cough and remove it. Some syrup contains dextromethorphan, which affects the part of the brain that sends a cough signal.
However, it can also affect the nervous system, breathing ability and sometimes heart when taking excessive amounts in children. At the same time, the expectorant element makes the cough comfortable by diluting mucus. In addition, these syrup also include some chemicals and preservatives such as Diethylene Glycol, Ethylene Glycol and other preservatives. If they are taken more than safe quantity, then they can cause serious damage to the kidney, liver and nervous system of children.
Should young children be given phlegm syrup, what do experts say?
According to Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director of Community Medicine Department of Safdarjung Hospital, WHO’s opinion It is not usually safe to give phlegm syrup to children younger than 5 years. The dextromethorphan present in it can cause breathing problems, dizziness, vomiting and fainting in children. At the same time, poisonous elements like Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG) can cause serious damage to kidney and liver.
Apart from this, the preservatives and sweetening agents involved in the syrup can affect stomach problems, allergies and other organs in sensitive children when they take long or more. For all these reasons, experts and WHO recommend that natural remedies and doctor monitoring drugs should be used instead of syrup in young children.
How to be careful
Do not give over-the-counter cuff syrup to children younger than 5 years.
Always take syrup only with the advice of a doctor.
Follow the safe quantity written on the label.
Avoid syrup made from toxic chemicals especially toxic chemicals for young children, ethylene glycol.
Consider children’s cough and hot water, steam, adequate nutrition and sleep in winter as first aid.
After the use of syrup, contact a doctor immediately if there is a problem of unusual symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness or breath.