THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Doctors have warned that self-medication using cough syrups for children is becoming increasingly common in Kerala and could be harmful. Many parents, unaware of how a child’s weight, health, and medicine dosage are related, use old prescriptions to buy and give cough syrups. Doctors say this can damage a child’s internal organs. The warning comes in the wake of child deaths in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh after consuming the cough syrup 'Coldrif'.

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Kerala (IAP Kerala), has advised parents and healthcare workers to be extremely cautious while giving cough syrups to children.

Fever, cold, and cough are common illnesses up to the age of 12. However, instead of consulting a doctor, parents often buy medicines from pharmacies using old pr

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