Tablets only for 8-year-olds: Doctors

Jangaon: Yaara Deekshit, 4, died on Sunday after a tablet got struck in his throat. The incident took place in Vaavilala village of Palakurthy mandal.

The helpless parents tried to take him to the hospital but he died on the way.
Senior paediatrician Dr Faisal Hadhi explained, “No doctor in a private or a public sector will give a tablet to a four-year-old for cold. There are syrups prescribed for cold, fever and also other major diseases. A tablet is prescribed for heart diseases but they are dissolved in the water and only then given to children.”
Dr Altaf Naseem, senior paediatrician explained, “Sudden death of the boy could be due to choking as the tablet must have got stuck in the throat area. It must have entered the lungs and the child’s breathing must have got affected.”

According to the protocol, paediatricians can prescribe tablets to kids who have cross eight years of age. But in cases of heart diseases, congenital hypothyroidism and cancers, children must be given tablets, and parents are told to pound them to powder mix it water, sweeten it with sugar and only then make the children have it.

Tips on how to help a choking child above one year of age or adult

• Stand behind the person and hit him lightly on the upper back so that the blocked airway gets released and the object comes out from the mouth. 
• Let the person, cough it out and do not stop them. 
• Keep on massaging their shoulders and also lightly keep on thumping on the upper back so that all the blockages are cleared. 
• If they are still choked then place the arms around the waist and bend them forward. 
• Keep fist on their belly button and put your hand on the fist and pull sharply inwards and upwards.