What treats infant cough and congestion?

From the Guidelines

For a 5-month-old infant with cough and congestion, it's generally not recommended to use over-the-counter cough and cold medications, and instead, focus on supportive care. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations recommend avoiding the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children under the age of 6, due to the potential for serious side effects and lack of proven effectiveness 1.

Supportive Care Methods

The following methods are safer and more effective for infants:

• Use saline drops and a nasal aspirator to clear nasal congestion.
• Run a cool-mist humidifier in the baby's room to ease breathing.
• Ensure the baby stays hydrated with frequent feedings.
• Elevate the head of the crib slightly to help drainage.

These methods can help alleviate symptoms and improve the infant's quality of life, without the risks associated with over-the-counter medications. It's essential to consult a pediatrician before giving any medication to an infant, as they may recommend specific treatments based on the child's condition and medical history 1.

Importance of Medical Consultation

Cough and cold medicines can have serious side effects in young children, and their use should be avoided unless recommended by a pediatrician 1. A thorough clinical review is necessary to identify any underlying respiratory or systemic illness that may be causing the cough, and to develop an appropriate treatment plan 1.

Prioritizing Infant Health

In the management of cough in children, it's crucial to prioritize their health and well-being, and to avoid using medications that may have serious side effects or interact with other medications 1. By focusing on supportive care and consulting a pediatrician, parents can help ensure their infant receives the best possible care and minimizes the risk of complications.

From the FDA Drug Label

Purpose Cough suppressant Package/Label Principal Display Panel Compare to Delsym® active ingredient Dextromethorphan Polistirex Extended-Release Oral Suspension Cough Suppressant Warnings ... Ask a doctor before use if you have • chronic cough that lasts as occurs with smoking, asthma or emphysema • cough that occurs with too much phlegm (mucus)

Dextromethorphan (PO) is a cough suppressant that can be used to treat cough. However, the label does not explicitly mention infant cough and congestion.

• The labels do not provide information on the treatment of congestion.
• It is recommended to ask a doctor before using the product, especially if the patient has a chronic cough or cough with too much phlegm (mucus) 2, 2, 2.

From the Research

Treatments for Infant Cough and Congestion

• Saline nasal irrigation is believed to alleviate upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms by helping to eliminate excess mucus, reduce congestion, and improve breathing 3
• The use of isotonic and hypertonic saline solutions to relieve nasal congestion in infants and children is widespread, and it is a safe and valuable therapeutic support 3
• Nasal aspiration with a medical device, associated with an isotonic saline solution, during viral rhinitis, has been shown to lower the risk of developing acute otitis media and rhinosinusitis 3
• Xylometazoline spray or drops can be effective in facilitating breathing and drinking in infants with nasal congestion, and the use of low-dose xylometazoline seems to be safe in hospitalized infants 4

Efficacy of Saline Solutions

• A study found that nasal hygiene with saline solutions can relieve congestion, reduce the thickening of the mucus, and keep the nasal cavity clean and moist 5
• Another study showed that saline nasal irrigation possibly has benefits for relieving the symptoms of acute URTIs, including a significant reduction in nasal secretion score and nasal breathing (obstruction) score in children 6

Safety and Tolerability

• The use of saline solutions and nasal aspiration devices has been evaluated, and no serious adverse events have been reported 3
• Literature data highlighted the good tolerability of saline solutions and nasal aspiration devices in infants and children 3
• The incidence of side effects, such as apnoea, nausea, bradycardia, cyanosis, and nosebleeds, was lower in the xylometazoline-saline group compared to the saline-only group 4