Cough syrup causes baby boy to stop breathing for 17 minutes, Mumbai family races against time to bring him back from the brink of death

It can be really tempting to reach for a bottle of cough syrup when your kid is suffering from coughing fits.

Not so fast, say medical experts. Although syrups can seem like the perfect ‘short-term solution’ to prevent coughs, they can prove to be fatal in the long run, especially for infants.

Recently in Mumbai, a family of doctors got the fright of their life, when their 30-month-old baby boy suddenly collapsed after he was fed a cough syrup from a reputed pharmaceutical. The boy’s mother told the Times of India that he had no pulse and had gone stock-still.

The baby was rushed to the hospital where the medical team performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him. For about 17 minutes there was no sign of life in the little body. The team conducted in-depth research as to what caused this health scare. “We have found no cause other than the cough syrup", the mother was quoted by TOI.

Coughing can be rather scary to witness. Chronic coughs can be painful. Non-stop coughing can make the individual feel exhausted and feel drained of energy. On the spur of the moment, it becomes almost instinctual to rely on cough syrups.

However, paediatricians urge parents not to use cough syrup on patients younger than four years of age as such syrups have chemicals such as chlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan that can be hazardous for toddlers. Moreover, long-term usage can also lead to other health complications such as cardiac problems.

Dr. Vijay Yewale, who has been a member of the state government’s paediatric Covid task warns against over-reliance on syrups. “Most conditions don’t warrant cough syrups,” he told TOI. Yewale also added that hot fomentation and nasal saline can be safer alternatives.

Dr. Mukesh Agarwal former head of the paediatrics department at KEM Hospital, explained how cough syrups worked. “Most cough syrups just act as a sedative. If the cough persists, cough syrup with antihistamine for allergies can be administered, but the dose should be single, ’’ he was quoted as saying to the English daily.

When Administering Over-The-Counter Cough Syrup, Here Are Some Precautions You Can Keep In Mind

• Consult a doctor, especially if the child is little more than an infant.
• Don't administer pain-relieving drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen without consulting a paediatrician.
• If the child is suffering from flu or chickenpox, don’t give aspirin as it has been known to cause terminal illnesses like Reye’s Syndrome in such children.
• Triple-check the label as well as the doses prescribed. If a label or dug has not been deemed safe for children, leave it.
• Don’t leave the child unattended with bottles of medicines

How To Help Your Child Feel Better?

• Offer fluids. Fluids can provide relief to blocked noses and sore throats.
• Warm lemon water, and broth, have a soothing effect.
• Encourage the child to gargle or rinse their throat with tepid water. Add some salt to it.
• Arrange a humidifier. Humidifiers can add moisture to the air and prevent drying of the nose and throat.
• Use nasal saline drops or spray to get rid of mucus.