The death toll from the consumption of ‘toxic’ cough syrup has increased to 19 in Madhya Pradesh, after two children aged 2 and 3 years passed away from the complications on Tuesday. Coldrif is at the centre of the controversy after 17 children from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died of kidney failure complications after consuming the cough syrup.

The cough syrup reportedly had a toxin, diethylene glycol, nearly 500 times the permissible limit, as per a police complaint seen by Reuters. Cough syrup deaths in children commonly happen due to overdose, contamination, or misadventure. The side effects of such contamination include kidney failure, respiratory distress, or neurological problems, which can even be life-threatening.

Dr Pankaj Hari, head of paediatrics department, All-India In

See Full Page