title: Cold preparation use in young children after FDA warnings: do concerns still exist?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the use and delivery of cough and cold medicines in children younger than 6 presenting to an inner-city pediatric emergency department (PED) following 2007 FDA warnings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study was performed using a convenience sampling of PED patients during the fall of 2010. Caregivers were presented with 6 commonly used cough medicine preparations and were asked to demonstrate if and how they would administer these to their children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 65 patients and their caregivers consented and participated in the study. During the demonstration, 82% (53/65) stated that they would treat with cough or cold medicines, and 72% (38/53) incorrectly dosed the medication they desired to give.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite current recommendations, cough and cold medicines are still used in children younger than 6 years of age. A significant portion of caregivers report that they are still unaware of public warnings, potential side effects, and interactions with other medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. sagard@emory.edu
authors.forename: Sarah Gard
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lazarus
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lanski
authors.forename: Ashley S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Harold K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004349:Drug Packaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs
keywords: cough; emergency medicine; over-the-counter (OTC); parenting education