Why cant babies/ kids take asprin?

Question

I know they cant have it, but why, and why do they sell Baby Asprin over the counter?

Answer 1

It can cause Reye's Syndrome in children under 18. They sell baby aspirin OTC because it is the perfect dose for adults to help prevent heart attacks. They just kept calling it "baby aspirin" because that's what everyone knew it as.

Answer 2

The baby asprin happens to be the perfect dose to help people prevent heart attacks.

Parents generally know that they shouldn't give aspirin to their kids. They may not know exactly why, but most are aware that it can be dangerous.
Of course, the reason to avoid these medications is because they can increase your child's chances of developing Reye's syndrome if they take them while they also have a viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox.

According to the CDC, 'Reye's syndrome causes confusion, agitation, and delirium, and it can result in long-term neurologic complications, coma, and death in as many as one-third of patients affected by the disorder', which are all very good reasons to avoid giving your child aspirin.

Fortunately, there has been a sharp decline in the incidence of Reye's syndrome since parents were educated to avoid aspirin. While there were 555 cases in 1980, since 1994 there have only been less than 2 cases a year in the United States.

The more routine use of chickenpox and flu vaccine should also help to decrease the incidence of Reye's syndrome.

Medicines with aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid can include:

Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Pain Reliever and Antacid
Bayer Children's Aspirin
St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin
and many others in caplet and tablet form, like Anacin, Buffrin, Ecotrin, Excedrin...
It is important to remember that you should not give these medicines with aspirin to any child under age 19 years, unless specifically directed to do so by your doctor. There are some conditions, especially Kawasaki disease, where aspirin is an important treatment though, and the benefits outweigh any risk.

Since teens may take medicines on their own, they should also be educated about what medications to avoid, especially when they have a febrile viral illness, like chickenpox or the flu.

Answer 3

Because it can cause reyes disease ?SP? I'll update

What is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's syndrome (RS) is primarily a children's disease, although it can occur at any age. It affects all organs of the body but is most harmful to the brain and the liver--causing an acute increase of pressure within the brain and, often, massive accumulations of fat in the liver and other organs. RS is defined as a two-phase illness because it generally occurs in conjunction with a previous viral infection, such as the flu or chicken pox. The disorder commonly occurs during recovery from a viral infection, although it can also develop 3 to 5 days after the onset of the viral illness. RS is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, sudden infant death syndrome, or psychiatric illness. Symptoms of RS include persistent or recurrent vomiting, listlessness, personality changes such as irritability or combativeness, disorientation or confusion, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. If these symptoms are present during or soon after a viral illness, medical attention should be sought immediately. The symptoms of RS in infants do not follow a typical pattern; for example, vomiting does not always occur. The cause of RS remains a mystery. However studies have shown that using aspirin or salicylate-containing medications to treat viral illnesses increases the risk of developing RS. A physician should be consulted before giving a child any aspirin or anti-nausea medicines during a viral illness, which can mask the symptoms of RS.

Answer 4

Aspirin and similar medications can cause Reye's syndrome, why take the risk?

At least five epidemiologic studies published in US medical journals (Mortimer, 1987), including one study that was supported by funds from the aspirin industry (Forsyth, 1989), have confirmed an association between the development of Reye's syndrome and the use of aspirin (a salicylate compound) for treating the symptoms of influenza-like illnesses or chicken pox. (Mortimer, 1987) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children under 19 years of age during episodes of fever-causing illnesses. Acetylsalicylate is another word for aspirin; some medicine labels may use the words acetylsalicylate or acetylsalicylic acid instead of the word aspirin. Investigators at CDC have also cautioned against the use of medicines, including some anti-nausea medications that contain salicylic acid, or salicylate. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before any child or teenager under 19 years of age is given any medication containing aspirin (acetylsalicylate, salicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, or salicylic acid).

The vast majority of children who take aspirin while ill with a virus such as chicken pox or flu do not develop Reye's syndrome and some children who are diagnosed with the syndrome may not have taken aspirin or salicylates. Misdiagnoses of metabolic disorders that present with Reye’s Syndrome-like signs and symptoms, unreported exposures to aspirin, and possible other causes of the syndrome often account for these patients diagnosed with Reye’s syndrome but apparently unexposed to salicylates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reyes_syndrome

Answer 5

Continued exposure to small doses of aspirin may be harmful to babies because aspirin tends to build up in their bodies (Findlay et al. 1981). In some countries, nursing women are advised against aspirin use because of the possible development of Reye’s Syndrome in their babies (WHO 1988). Reye’s Syndrome is a rare condition that affects the brain and liver and is most often observed in children given aspirin during a viral illness!

Answer 6

Because babies are easily affected with Reye (or Rye) Syndrome which can occur when a baby takes aspirin with a fever. Maybe the baby aspiring are called this because they are lower in mg than the typical aspirin.