More Than 300 Infant Deaths Linked to Cough Syrups

Written by Vance Voetberg on June 26, 2023. Posted in Current News

The World Health Organization has issued a concerning alert regarding contaminated pediatric cough syrups, which have resulted in severe health complications and even death among very young patients

The initial alert in October 2022 warned about the circulation of tainted cough syrups in The Gambia and potentially other African and Asian countries.

This week, the WHO issued an update on a distressing situation that has tragically claimed the lives of over 300 infants.

The organization told Reuters that the situation poses an “ongoing risk” and that it is actively collaborating with health officials from six undisclosed countries to monitor and prevent the continued distribution of these toxic medicines.

The contamination has been traced back to two Indian pharmaceutical companies, namely Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech.

Prompted by health officials, a comprehensive quality assessment of the cough syrups revealed the presence of two toxic chemicals, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, within these medications.

Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that should never be present in medications, the WHO said.

When ingested, ethylene glycol suppresses the nervous system and interferes with the functioning of the cardiac and circulatory systems. Diethylene glycol, on the other hand, can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, altered mental state, as well as acute kidney injury.

Several Gambian children who were given the tainted cough syrup died due to acute kidney injury.

The WHO is calling for stricter regulatory guidelines and is urging countries to remain vigilant against mislabeled and falsified drugs.

India’s Shady Standards

India, the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical producer by volume, has faced previous scrutiny regarding its quality control practices. Earlier this year, the Indian government canceled the licenses of 18 pharmaceutical companies due to their failure to meet the country’s quality standards.

However, there are still concerns that the authorities’ oversight of the pharmaceutical industry may not be adequately stringent.

Last year, two executives of Maiden Pharmaceuticals were sentenced to over two years in prison for exporting substandard drugs more than a decade ago.

Despite their track record, the Indian government has not yet imposed a ban on Maiden Pharmaceuticals from selling drugs worldwide.

Is Cough Syrup Ever Necessary?

While the contaminated cough syrups are not currently found on the shelves of American pharmacies, health officials emphasize that cough syrup for children is rarely recommended.

According to the guidelines established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of children’s coughs, most children will recover naturally, and cough or cold medicine “will not change the natural course of a cold or make it go away faster.”

The WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all concur that children aged four and under should never use cough medicine due to the serious side effects it can cause, such as respiratory suppression.

The FDA emphasizes that “coughs are a normal symptom of a cold and help the body clear the mucus out of the airway and protect the lungs.”

Best Alternatives to Cough Syrup

For young children experiencing severe coughs, the FDA and Nationwide Children’s Hospital offer the following recommendations:

Chicken soup

Encourage your child to stay hydrated by consuming ample fluids like water, chicken soup, or broth.

Some research has shown that chicken soup has beneficial medicinal properties, including a mild anti-inflammatory effect, which can help reduce the inflammatory response associated with upper respiratory illnesses.

Honey in lemon water

To relieve cough, mix one to two teaspoons of honey in warm lemon water. (Do NOT give honey to children under the age of one.)

A meta-analysis involving nearly 900 children aged 12 months to 18 years found that honey was more effective in reducing cough intensity compared to salbutamol, an active ingredient found in many cough medications.

Warm salt water

To ease a sore throat, older children can use non-medicated lozenges or gargle with warm salt water. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water.

Studies have demonstrated that gargling salt water reduces upper respiratory tract infection severity, while hot liquids can temporarily increase nasal mucus velocity through water vapor inhalation.

Other Tips

Make sure your child gets sufficient sleep.
Use a saline nasal spray and a bulb syringe to clear congestion before meals or bedtime.
Use a cool mist humidifier in your child’s room. Avoid using a warm humidifier, as it can cause burns.
Limit the consumption of fruit juice and sports drinks to avoid excessive sugar intake.

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Header image: GPonline

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