Paracetamol and ibuprofen ‘puts kids’ health at risk’

Paracetamol and ibuprofen to children with a mild fever put their health at risk.

London: Giving regular spoonfuls of paracetamol and ibuprofen to children with a mild fever could extend their illness or put their health at risk, warn doctors.A misplaced ‘fever phobia’ in society means parents too frequently use both medicines to bring down even slight temperatures, said a group of American pediatricians.

According to their study, as many as half of parents are giving their children the wrong dosage, reports the Telegraph. In the new guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that a high temperature is often the body’s way of fighting an infection, and warns parents that to bring it down with drugs could actually lengthen a child’s illness. Family doctors too readily advise parents to use the medicines, known collectively as “antipyretics”, said the authors. Paracetamol has been linked to asthma, while there have been reports of ibuprofen causing stomach ulcers and bleeding, and leading to kidney problems. ANI