Children Deliberately Overdosed with Cold Medications to Control Behavior

Day-Care Providers Among Those Giving the Medications

According to a recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, some children are being deliberately overdosed with cold medicines, in an effort to keep them quiet.

An analysis of 189 children who died as a result of being overdosed, showed that a significant percentage had been deliberately overdosed.

A panel of experts reviewed the cases and agreed among themselves in all cases. They found that in 79 cases the child had been given non-prescription medicine, and in 26 the intent in giving the medicine was not to treat. Dr. Richard Dart, a director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, said that in some cases the parent had poured the medication into the child's mouth directly from the bottle. Dr. Dart also warned that in some cases the medications were given by day-care providers, and parents should be aware of that.

The complications associated with the misuse of cold medicines, be it accidental or otherwise, are known and serious, and prompted the FDA to stipulate that over-the-counter cold medicines not be used in children under 4 years of age. The FDA is currently considering banning their use in children under 12.

Estimates put the number of children under 12 who are treated with over-the-counter cold medications every week in the US at 4 million.

Legal Help

If your child has suffered adverse health effects from using these medications, or was overdosed, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Published on Dec-19-08