Updated January 6, 2012
Infant strength acetaminophen products administered with a dropper have been phased out by the FDA.. Dosing errors were common with two different strengths of acetaminophen products available, so the FDA has discontinued all infant strength products. The same acetaminophen product, which has 160 mg of acetaminophen per teaspoon, is now recommended for all infants and children. Please see our Acetaminophen Dosing Chart for correct doses of acetaminophen. To be safe, never use a measuring device from a different medicine when giving your child liquid medicines. Use only the syringe sold with that particular product.
What should families of young children keep in their medicine cabinet?
Families should maintain a well-stocked medicine cabinet in case an unexpected need arises. Hyde Park Pediatrics recommends that parents of young infants have available:
A digital thermometer, KY jelly and isopropyl alcohol; infant acetaminophen; diaper ointment; pedialyte; saline nose drops, a bulb syringe for removing nasal mucous, and a humidifier or vaporizer; antibiotic ointment; and a good moisturizer such as Hydrated Petrolatum.
For children older than 6 months we recommend adding:
Liquid diphenhydramine (Bendadryl); infant or child ibuprofen; pedialyte popsicles; sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher; calamine lotion; bandages of many sizes; and high quality tweezers for removing ticks and splinters.
Congratulations to Dr. Sax, who on June 15, 2011, was presented with the "Award of Service to Pediatrics and the Community," the highest award granted to a community pediatrician from the Children's Hospital of Boston.
More cases of Measles in Massachusetts: There have now been 24 confirmed cases of measles in the state. Measles can be a deadly disease. The best defense is to make sure that your child is vaccinated on schedule.
California is experiencing its worst Whooping Cough outbreak in the last 50 years. Nine infants under the age of 3 months have died so far this year. Whooping Cough remains a common and potentially serious disease. Make sure that your child's whooping cough vaccine is up to date.
Did you know that one of the best ways to protect your child from whooping cough (pertussis) is to be sure that every adult in your household has received the Tdap vaccine? Please talk to your physician to be sure that you and your family members are appropriately immunized.
