Can children take aspirin?
Aspirin is a classic medicine to treat pain and fever, and a children’s version existed years ago, however it is no longer indicated for children.
Acetylsalicylic acid, or more commonly known as aspirin, is one of the drugs that brings with it one of the most relevant and important debates in recent times in terms of medicine. Known by all, aspirin is one of the best-selling drugs thanks to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, we have used it to relieve headaches, fever, muscle aches, toothaches, to avoid heart attacks and, there was even a time in the one that released a version adapted for children. But, to what extent is aspirin recommended in children?
According to studies carried out by experts, aspirin in children can cause very harmful side effects to their health and can lead to diseases and pathologies for life.
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ASPIRIN IN CHILDREN
When our little ones suffer from fever or have some symptoms of a viral disease, it is very common for us to resort to infant aspirin, but this can be a serious mistake since there are other types of medications that can cure them without causing serious side effects for our children.
According to the studies carried out, the consumption of aspirin in children and adolescents up to 16 years of age can cause Reye’s syndrome in them . That is why the only case in which we must dispense aspirin to a child up to 16 years of age is under a medical prescription, since otherwise we would be facilitating our child to suffer from Reye’s syndrome.
WHAT IS REYE’S SYNDROME?
Reye’s syndrome is a disorder that mostly children up to 16 years of age suffer and that although its causes are unknown, it is closely related to aspirin consumption , since all patients who have suffered it, in their previous days have consumed acetylsalicylic acid. This is a metabolic disease that affects all the body’s organs, but especially the brain and liver.
This syndrome consists of increased pressure within the brain and an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver . Although no cure has yet been found for Reye’s syndrome, if it is treated in time it can be controlled and the patient will be able to lead a normal life, within what is possible. It is a disease that occurs mostly during viral illnesses such as the flu or chickenpox . Most of the cases in which this syndrome occurs due to chickenpox occurs mostly in children between the ages of 5 and 9. In contrast, cases of Reye’s syndrome that arise after the flu range from 10 to 14 years of age.
The treatment that people who suffer from Reye’s syndrome basically consists in that the brain does not suffer more damage than it already suffers, avoiding greater inflammation. Although some people make a full recovery, there are others who spend the rest of their lives with mild or severe brain damage .
ASPIRIN FORBIDDEN IN CHILDREN
Therefore, the conclusion we reached after analyzing the side effects of consuming aspirin in children under 16 years of age is that they should not take it, unless a specialist doctor prescribes it and monitors the child’s progress. There are other medications such as paracetamol or infant ibuprofen that perform the same function as infant aspirin and do not have as many serious side effects.
Taking care of the health of our children during childhood and adolescence in the appropriate way and instilling healthy habits will allow them to lead a healthy life when they are adults, away from diseases and always achieving a state of absolute well-being.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.
