An Important Reminder - NO ASPIRIN for Children or Teens

Have you noticed that the fever and pain reducers recommended for your child are Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen)? Never ever is aspirin mentioned.

Why is that?

Back when current parents were children themselves, it was discovered that children who had flu symptoms, chicken pox or other viral illnesses and took aspirin for relief of these symptoms were at greater risk of developing a rare but serious condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

Reye’s syndrome causes liver degeneration and brain swelling in children younger than 18 years old.  The cause is unknown; however, the taking of aspirin by a child at the time of a viral illness has been implicated as a possible causative agent.

In 1978, the CDC was informed that several children developed Reye’s syndrome during an influenza outbreak, and by 1980, the CDC demonstrated a link between those patients and the administration of aspirin-containing medications. In 1980, 555 cases of Reye’s syndrome were reported in the United States.  In response, the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon General published educational statements and added a “Black Box” warning not to give aspirin to children and teenagers with influenza or chicken pox.  By the mid-1980s, baby aspirin was removed for use of all routine fevers because one might not know if the fever was related to influenza, chicken pox or other viral illnesses. Large warning signs educating parents about the complete avoidance of aspirin for fever were visible in pharmacies and elsewhere for the following decade.

These educational signs are now gone but aspirin remains in households for appropriate use by adults.

I write this post to educate both parents, grandparents and “older” caretakers who may recall giving their children baby aspirin for febrile illnesses. The very same dosage is now used by many adults as part of their daily regimen.  I can envision a scenario where a well intentioned person uses the aspirin in place of Tylenol or Motrin until either of these medications is acquired.  Please educate your caregivers about complete avoidance of aspirin for your child.

One more thing - there are many other products that contain salicylate, the ingredient in aspirin that children should avoid.  These include Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, Alka Seltzer, Excedrin, Ecotrin and others. For a complete list, please refer to:

http://www.reyessyndrome.org/pdfs/nonrxprintable.pdf

The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation, the U.S. Surgeon General, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be taken by anyone younger than 19 years during fever-causing illnesses.

Please note: Children with cardiac issues, rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic issues may be appropriately prescribed aspirin as part of their regimen.