Poisoned Teething Gel Kills 84 Children in Nigeria

Kate Tuttle — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:33:00 GMT

An over-the-counter teething medication commonly used in Nigeria has killed more than 80 babies and young children, according to health officials, due to a batch that mistakenly contained a poisonous chemical.

Sold under the brand name My Pikin Baby Teething Mixture ("pikin" means child in West African pidgin), was found to contain diethyline glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze, most likely in place of glycerin, the sweet syrup used to flavor children's medicines and toothpastes. According to the New York Times, counterfeiters regularly replace glycerin with the less expensive (and often deadly) glycol to boost profits. The poison attacks the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Health officials say three-quarters of the children sickened by the bad batch have died, all of them between the ages of two months and seven years.

It's impossible for most of us to imagine the pain these parents face. But it's a valuable reminder of how important good consumer-protection laws are, and how useless they are in the absence of enforcement. If you ever find yourself in an argument with someone who wants to cut funding for the FDA, ask them if they're ever wondered how it would feel to have to wonder, when giving their child some soothing medicine, whether it was truly safe.

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They Say: no cold medicine for kids 4 and under

Brett Singer — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Kid has a stuffy nose? Suck it up. Well, not literally. But don't give them over the counter cold medicine. That's the word from the FDA, who are now saying that you shouldn’t give cold meds to any child under 4 years old.

The cough and cold medicine industry, in the wake of intensifying criticism from consumer groups, lawmakers and pediatricians, agreed Tuesday to add "do not use" warnings to pediatric cough and cold medicines.

Taken literally, this would mean that they will sell you the product, but add a label that says not to use it. I know that's not exactly what they mean, but it's funny to think about anyway. It's sort of what cigarette companies have to do, right? They can sell you the cigs, but they have to include a label that says YOU WILL DIE IF YOU SMOKE THESE. Of course, it doesn't say, "do not use." Just that if you DO use them, you'll get emphysema.

The real problem, according to the FDA, is misuse of the meds. "[Parents] should follow very carefully the directions on the package," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The No. 1 cause of problems is children getting into medicine for accidental ingestion."

The American Academy of Pediatrics wanted the FDA to tell people that the meds didn't work for kids aged 6 and under, but the FDA was concerned "that parents would give adult doses if it instituted a ban of products for children under age 6." Well, duh. If I can't give them their own drugs, I'll just cut mine in half.

Now look. I'm being obnoxious here, and I apologize. But as I understand it, no one is saying that over the counter cold medicine is unsafe when the recommended dosages are used. They do seem to be saying that the medicines are ineffective, which I can believe. In my own experience, I have more success treating my old colds with Ginger Tea, Vitamin C and sleep. (Those three things even rhyme, sort of.) The best thing in the world, for me, is acupuncture. Two needles in the right spots on my nose and poof – no more snot. That's not going to work for everyone, and on the rare occasion when I have severe sinus pain, I'll take something stronger (an over the counter sinus pill usually does it for me). Again, this is only my own experience, your mileage may vary, and I'm not a doctor nor have I played one on TV. I don't even watch "Grey's Anatomy." So don't take this as advice.

Bottom line: the FDA says don't give your kids cold medicine if they are under 4 years of age. They would say under 6, but they're afraid that if they did, you'd give them your drugs. Thanks guys.

Source: Chicago Tribune

image: webmd

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