New Guidelines about the Use of Cold Medications and Crib Bumper Use

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The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has recommended a voluntary recall of oral cough and cold medications marketed for infants (children under the age of 2 years). The reason for the voluntary recall is to safely protect infants from "rare patterns of misuse leading to overdose". The branded cough and cold medicines are marketed specifically for infants and include: Click here to view

This is not a mandatory or safety recall issue imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at this time. This is a voluntary recall by the manufacturers concerned about the welfare of infants up to 2 years of age.

These medications were studied extensively over the last 4 decades for efficacy and safety. This study concluded that all children's over the counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines are safe when used correctly. Injury from OTC cough and cold medicines is rare and when it occurs it is almost always the result of overdose or improper use. The medications affected by this recall are infant products only and are currently labeled with "ask a doctor" before giving medications to children under two years.

The FDA will meet on 10/18/07 and 10/19/07 to discuss this manufacturer induced voluntary recall.

Medications that were not recalled include infant pain relievers such as Infant Tylenol/ Infant Motrin/ Infant Advil without cold or cough medicine included. This means Infant Tylenol/Infant Motrin/ Infant Advil that do not have cough or cold medicine in the product are not part of this voluntary recall.

These pain relief products are safe and may continue to be used. If you are unsure of the dosage or if you are not sure if a particular medication has been recalled, please call the office.

Further information can be found by visiting www.otcsafety.org or www.chpa-info.org

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A recent study in the September 2007 issue of Journal of Pediatrics has determined that the use of crib and bassinet bumpers are dangerous. From 1985-2005, 27 accidental deaths and 25 nonfatal injuries were described by medical examiners and staff. The research also conveys that the use of bumpers only prevents minor injuries.

Please remove bumpers from your infant and small child's crib or bassinet immediately.