When young children have uncontrolled coughs, parents tend to use cough syrup. However, pediatric experts warn that cough syrup is almost ineffective and unnecessary for children under four years old.
Many studies have shown that over-the-counter cough medicine does not provide clear benefits and only helps reduce temporary discomfort.
Most respiratory infections in children are caused by viruses and go away on their own over time, regardless of whether syrup is taken or not.
Common ingredients in syrup such as dextromethorphan hydrobromide can cause serious side effects if overdose, including sleepiness, rapid heartbeat, seizures, liver damage, shortness of breath, and even death. Children are more susceptible to overdose than adults because their organs are not fully developed.
According to Dr. Nameet Jerath, a pediatric respiratory expert at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, most coughs in children come from a nasal allergy or runny nose fluid down the throat, and children really need anti- allergy medicine, not cough syrup.
Coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear mucus and irritants from the respiratory tract, and inhibiting this reflex with medication can make the infection worse.
Parents can apply some home safety measures to relieve coughs, including: saline-soluble gas, rehydration, humidifier, warm honey water, head lifts while sleeping.
Only a small group of children need to take cough syrup, based on a diagnosis of pathogens, inflammation and airway obstruction.
Other medications such as anti- histamine also need to be used cautiously because they can cause sleepiness or thicken mucus.
The causes of cough in children are very diverse, from allergies to feces, dust, mold, to respiratory viruses such as colds, flu, lai vayitis, and even bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia or whooping cough.
Some children also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causing coughing and vomiting due to stomach acid stimulating the throat.
Cough control in young children should be based on causes, prioritize home safety measures, use medication cautiously and avoid using over-the-counter cough syrup without a doctor's prescription.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you have health questions).
