The Centres for Disease Control in the United States have issued a notice that cough and cold medications should only be used with infants after talking with a doctor.

In the 12th January 2007 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, they noted that in 2004 and 2005 in the United States about 1500 children younger than two were treated in US emergency departments for effects of cough and cold medicines. For three dead infants, the coroner found that cough and cold medicines were the underlying cause of death.

They noted that there was limited published evidence of effectiveness of these medicines in children under two, and because of the risks of toxicity parents should not administer them to young children without speaking to their doctor.

They also noted that controlled trials had shown that cough and cold medications weren’t any more effective than a placebo in children under two. It is also noteworthy that the American College of Chest Physicians in 2006 released guidelines for management of cough and advised doctors to not use cough suppressants. Other means of relieving symptoms include softening nasal secretions with nasal drops or a cool mist humidifier.

Cough Management Guidelines - Very useful!