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Medicating Baby’s First Illness

Caution Required!
By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Many parents are unaware that improper use of certain over-the-counter cold medications could be harmful to their children's health. According to Pharmacia Corporation, the parent company for PediaCare, 61 percent of American parents admit to over-medicating or mis-medicating their baby on at least one occasion.

A parent's lack of awareness about various medicines may lead to unintentional medicating mistakes, thus putting a baby at risk for harmful side effects. "To safely care for their baby, parents should choose products that only treat the symptoms their baby has, are made to treat babies and should read labels carefully," says Dr. Mary Jo DiMilia, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "In addition to combining medications, exceeding the recommended dosage is also of concern. It's important for parents to realize that ‘more is not better.'"

Medications to Avoid
There are many common medications that are often given in error to infants and young children. Here are several that you should avoid:

Aspirin
One of the most readily available medications on the over-the-counter market – aspirin – is a definite "never" medication for babies. "Aspirin is and should be a medication for adults," says Dr. Denise Salerno, a pediatrician at Temple University Children's Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa. "Aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome, which can cause failure of multi-organ systems in the body. This is one medication that should be put out of children's reach and away from a baby’s medications to avoid accidental use."

Anti-nausea Medication
The body has a natural function to dispel something that does not, or should not, be there. This is the purpose and function of vomiting. "When a baby vomits, the body is trying to get rid of something bad," says Dr. Salerno. "If you stop this process – especially by giving an anti-nausea medication – you inhibit this process and can worsen whatever the ailment or illness is. It is better, instead, to let nature take its course and console and comfort your child instead of medicating them."

Adult Medications
Babies are not little adults. According to Dr. Salerno, a baby’s system is much too primitive to handle the ingredients or dosage of adult medications. "Adult medications should not be used for babies under any condition," she says. "Medication dosage for babies and children is based on weight, determined by what their bodies can use and metabolize. Adult medication may contain too high of a dose, or the medication may not have been studied in the pediatric population and may not be approved for children in that age group. The side effects could be deadly."

The dangers of using adult medications don’t end when infancy does. Even older children are at risk.

"My daughter was 6 years old and complaining about an earache," says Barb Bromitis, a freelance writer living in Ireland. "I gave her a pain reliever my husband had brought home from a nearby store in Ireland. It killed the pain and totally knocked her out for the night. She slept soundly – so soundly she didn't even feel her eardrum burst! I learned the hard way on this one."

Someone Else's Medication
A common mistake many parents make is to save prescription medication and give it to a sibling when they contract a similar illness. Not a good idea, according to Dr. Salerno. "Someone else's medication should never be used to treat your baby," she says. "A prescription is made and given based on more than a person's symptoms. It takes into account the weight, gender and the severity of the illness as well. The dosage differences could be very dramatic. Just remember that medications are prescribed for certain reasons, and even though you may see similar symptoms, you could be giving your child an incorrect dosage, or your child may be allergic to that medication."

Expired Medication
Many products have an expiration date to let us know when it is no longer wise to consume them. These expiration dates can be found on milk and juice containers, egg cartons, soup and soda cans and even cereals.

Dr. Salerno says that the expiration dates on medication should be followed just as closely. "You wouldn't drink milk after its expiration date, would you?" she says. "The same rules should be followed with medications. Medications are combinations of different chemicals mixed together to act in a certain way. These expiration dates tell us when the combination no longer acts as we wish it to and when it may become dangerous for consumption. Not only is there a risk of dangerous side effects, but more than likely, the medication won't work anyway."

Chewable Medications
Chewable medications are designed for children who have begun to eat table food, but who are not yet old enough to swallow adult-style medications. "Chewable medication is usually a higher dose of medication than the liquid form," says Dr. Salerno. "It may be too much medication for a baby, leading to a massive – and perhaps fatal – accidental overdose. In addition, babies cannot chew these ‘chewable’ medications, so the choking hazard is very high."

"One night our son was really sick, and we'd run out of Tylenol," says Hilary Evans, a stay-at-home mom of three from Fort Dodge, Iowa. "In the middle of the night, my husband went to buy more. As soon as he got home, I gave our son what I thought was the regular dose. In just a few minutes he was shaking and throwing up.” Evans took another look at the medication and realized she’d overmedicated her son. “The medication was designed for older kids, and I called the doctor right away. Luckily our son wasn't hurt, but it really taught us to double-check for age-appropriate medication," she says.

Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen
Two of the most common ingredients in children's medications – including cough syrups and cold medicines – are acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

"Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are sometimes added to cough and cold medications, making it easy to overdose," says Dr. Salerno. "Overdosing can lead to liver disease and even death. Both of these medications, but especially ibuprofen, are contraindicated for a baby, especially if that baby is vomiting, as it can and does trigger more vomiting. Ibuprofen is never indicated for infants less than 6 months of age. It is best to always read the labels of the medications you are giving your child."

When In Doubt…
Medications are designed to treat specific illnesses, ailments or diseases. "Never give a baby medications that are not prescribed for him or her," says Dr. Salerno. "Don't be afraid to call your doctor or pharmacist to ask questions. If you still have doubt, don't give the medicine at all. If you are facing an emergency situation, take the child to the emergency room. Don't take chances with your children, and remember there are no stupid questions."

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About the Author: Carma Haley Shoemaker is a contributing editor for iParenting Media.

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