Synopsis from October 2000 AAP News article on Acetaminophen overdoses

Parents can potentially give their children too much Acetaminophen when they treat their children's fever and cold symptoms using different remedies that contain this medicine (i.e. Tylenol, Panadol, cold remedies). In a 1997 Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine study, 66% of parents reported they gave their children Tylenol and did not know it contained Acetaminophen. Many over the counter cough and cold remedies also contain unknowingly contain Acetaminophen.

The danger comes when parents give their children an overdose by either giving too much by using different remedies as stated above or by giving repeated doses when your child is dehydrated or is unable to eat. During these times of dehydration and fasting from illness, your child's liver does not work as well and it is the liver that gets rid of Acetaminophen. Permanent liver damage can be done during these times.

Dr. Greensher, M.D. FAAP, former chair of the AAP Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention, states parents often suffer from "fever phobia," recommending not medicating fever of less than 102 degrees. When your child's fever does need treating use the appropriate dose based on your child's weight, and use a measuring spoon or cup that is standardized. Discuss when and how much anti-fever medicine to give your child with your child's physician. Get this info written down, so you know what to do when it's 2AM.

During this cough and cold season it is important to be forewarned and forearmed. There are a lot of well meaning people that can give poor, even deadly, information to you about your child and medicine giving. Here are some definite do's and don'ts of fever:

1. know your child's weight and give a dose based on this recent weight
2. ask your doctor for the appropriate dose
3. don't give medicine more often than recommended on the bottle (i.e. acetaminophen every 4-6 hours, ibuprofen every 6-8 hours, no sooner)
4. Fevers are not dangerous, they are a symptom, find out what is causing the fever by calling your child's doctor.
5. Read labels, and try to buy single symptom medications
6. Also try non-medicinal methods of lowering fevers like giving oral fluids, cool bath, undressing your child.
7. Follow your child's doctor's instructions for responding to a fever at different ages. For instance a child under 2 months should not get ibuprofen or acetaminophen for a fever, but needs immediate medical attention. An older child's low-grade fever may go away after drinking some cool water.

On a spiritual note, take your family's spiritual temperature this winter. When you are up rocking at 2 AM waiting for the medicine to take effect consider this… is your family child-centered, parent-centered, or Christ-centered? How do you know the difference?

If you are child-centered, you spend your time consumed with your child's every thought and action. When s/he is sad you stop everything to cheer him/her up. When angry you are sure you are responsible. Your external life has ended since having children.

If you are parent-centered your children are at your beck and call. When you have a dream, plan or inspiration it is the family that adjusts without consolation. When you are mad they must change your environment to sooth you. Your children must always accommodate you.

If you are Christ-centered you have balance between these two parenting styles. You ask the Lord for solutions with your child's problems. You pray before making decisions of any size. Your family has a healthy balance between family members and external responsibilities because the LORD is the center of your lives. His will, not ours, be done is the cry of your hearts.

Don't forget to talk to Him when your children are ill. Someone more than your child may need healing when illness is in your home.