The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Kerala chapter, has issued a crucial warning to parents: never self-medicate your children. Instead, always seek professional pediatric consultation for the safe and effective treatment of all childhood illnesses, especially common issues like colds and coughs.
Furthermore, the IAP urges healthcare providers to strictly follow rational prescription guidelines for children. They also highlighted the importance of educating parents on safe and appropriate practices for managing coughs in young ones.
This guidance from IAP Kerala comes after a significant directive from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which explicitly states that cough syrup should not be prescribed for children under two years of age.
Dr. I. Riaz, President of IAP Kerala, emphasized that the DCGI’s directive serves as a broader reminder for everyone to prioritize rational medicine prescription, particularly for infants and toddlers. He strongly advised parents to resist the urge to purchase over-the-counter cold and cough remedies for their children. For any notable cough in young children, a pediatrician’s consultation is essential to ensure the correct medication and dosage are administered.
Specifically, the IAP recommends that pediatricians avoid prescribing combination cough syrups and cold medications for children under two. For older children, if such medications are deemed necessary, their use must be based on thorough clinical evaluation, close supervision, precise dosing, the shortest effective duration, and a strict avoidance of unproven or irrational drug combinations.
Dr. Riaz clarified that a cough is merely a symptom indicating some form of airway disruption, which could stem from conditions like asthma, allergies, dehydration, or post-nasal drip. He noted that most acute coughs in young children resolve on their own without the need for medication. However, for children over six months, pediatricians might safely prescribe antihistamines or bronchodilators, ensuring correct dosages and durations.
When a cough is linked to asthma or wheezing, bronchodilators may be prescribed. The IAP suggests that these are ideally administered via an inhaled Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a spacer, a method considered both effective and safe for children.
For the majority of childhood coughs, non-pharmacological approaches should be the primary course of action. These include ensuring adequate hydration, plenty of rest, using saline nasal drops, and providing general supportive care.
Dr. Riaz concluded by advising parents that not all coughs are alike, and therefore, they should never reuse previous prescriptions for new episodes of coughing. He stressed that both dosage and duration of medication need to be adjusted as a child grows, underscoring the need for tailored medical advice.