2007 Press Releases

Treating a Child’s Cold or Cough without Medications: Advice from Saint Barnabas Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics

Livingston, N.J.—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently withdrew several nonprescription cough and cold medicines for infants and children from the shelves after several studies showed that these products were not effective in children under 6 and could have potentially serious side effects. The FDA reported that dosage guidelines for cold and cold mixtures are based on adult data and are thus inaccurate for children.

Parents with young children may be seeking advice for how to care for their sick little ones without the use of these medications, and pediatricians are happy to offer suggestions.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds the decision to withdraw cough and cold medicines for infants and children,” says Deborah M. Friedman, M.D., FAAP, FACC, Chairperson of Pediatrics, Saint Barnabas Medical Center and an attending cardiologist. “These medicines are ineffective and can have serious side effects.”

While there is no "cure" for infections caused by a virus, there are things parents can do to help children feel better until the virus runs its course. The Department of Pediatrics at Saint Barnabas recommends the following options:

To relieve stuffy nose
• Thin the mucus using saline nose drops. Ask your pediatrician which ones to use. Never use nonprescription nose drops that contain any medicine.
• Clear your baby's nose with a suction bulb. Squeeze the bulb first, then gently put the rubber tip into one nostril and slowly release the bulb. This suction draws out the clogged mucus. This works best for babies younger than six months.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room. This helps to moisten the air and clear your child's nasal passages. Be sure to clean the humidifier often.

To relieve fever
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your pediatrician for the right dosage for your child's age and size. Don't give aspirin to your child because it has been associated with Reye syndrome.

To prevent dehydration
• Make sure your child drinks a lot of fluids. He may want clear liquids rather than milk or formula.
• If your child's virus doesn't go away, or seems to get worse, call your pediatrician. Most infections can be treated at home. However, if an infection becomes severe, your child may need to see the pediatrician and, rarely, go to the hospital.

Prevention
Though there is no way to keep your child away from germs, there are some steps you can take to help prevent them from spreading, including
• Make sure everyone washes his or her hands regularly.
• Keep your child away from anyone who has a cold, fever, or runny nose.
• Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, toothbrushes, washcloths, or towels with anyone who has a cold, fever, or runny nose.
• Wash dishes and utensils in hot, soapy water.
• Don't smoke around your child.

Saint Barnabas Medical Center Department of Pediatrics

Saint Barnabas treats more children than any other hospital in the state. The Pediatrics Department includes every major pediatric sub-specialty and more than 250 pediatricians. A state-of-the-art $8 million Children’s Center is designed to meet the medical and emotional needs of young patients. For more information about our programs, or for a referral to a pediatrician or specialist, please call 1-888-SBHS-123.

November 27, 2007

CONTACT: Beth Salamon (973) 322-4926
esalamon@sbhcs.com

[ top ]