Antipyretic drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, are often used to alleviate the discomforts of fever and prote
ct vulnerable organs, such as the brain, from extreme elevations in body temperature. The use of aspirin is limited in children, however, because it can sometimes cause which disease?
The use of acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin is limit in children under 16 years old to treat fever or pain, as this substance is associated with a rare but serious complication, especially during chickenpox and flu, called Reye's syndrome. Although this syndrome is not yet fully understood, there are several studies relating Reye's Syndrome to the use of salicylate-containing medicines, including acetylsalicylic acid. Thus, the onset of this syndrome in children is related to the administration of infant aspirin. Reye's syndrome mainly affects children between 4 and 14 years. The symptoms of this syndrome are added to those already suffered by the child due to the viral process that affects them, such as the flu or chickenpox. The most common are vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness and irritability. Later, the child may be confused, with muscle weakness, and even seizure and lose consciousness.
