At least 20 children have died and five other fighters against kidney errors in Madhya Pradesh, after consuming contaminated coldrif -cough syrup made by the Suran Pharmaceuticals, Tamil Nadu. The syrup in question was found to contain dangerously high levels of dietylene glycol (dough), a toxic chemical that is usually used in antifreeze and industrial solvents, which is fatal when consumed.Of the affected children, most of them were from the Chhindwara district and developed symptoms such as vomiting and difficulties in urinating shortly after. According to the PTI report, the Central Government, through the Director -General of Health Services, issued a counseling that asked all states and trade union territories not to prescribe cough and cold medicines for children under the age of two. The advisory arose in reports of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly linked to contaminates.
The deadly toxin: Dietylene glycol
According to the National Institute of Health, dietylene glycol is a colorless, odorless fluid that was mainly used for industrial purposes. It is not intended for consumption. When it comes to what NIH says, dietylene glycol is a colorless liquid, denser than water. Contact can slightly irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be somewhat toxic by intake. Used to manufacture other chemicals.It is poisoning can lead to severe neurological symptoms such as confusion and seizures and metabolic acidosis (where the body’s acid base balance is disturbed) and can ultimately be fatal if not treated. Usually, its symptoms occur within 24-72 hours after intake, and emphasizes the narrow window for medical intervention.
Symptoms of dietylene glycol poisoning
The first phase is acute gastrointestinal toxicity and consists of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.Second phase: kidney or kidney failure, fluid, swelling, back pain, oliguria (reduced urine production) or anuria (no urine production), fluid and swelling (edema)
Historical precedent
Unfortunately, this is not the first time dietylene glycol pollution has caused mass poisoning:Mumbai, India, 1986: Fourteen patients at JJ Hospital died due to acute kidney failure caused by contaminated glycerol with 90% degrees. Tragedy exposed failures in drug procurement and safety monitoring.Uzbekistan, 2022: Eighteen children died after consuming cough syrup contaminated with dough and ethylene glycol, produced by an Indian pharmaceutical company.
The present crisis in Madhya Pradesh
The contaminated cooler syrup, SAT SR-13 with the end in April 2027, was found to contain approximately 48.6% dietylene glycol. After the first death was reported on September 2, the toll has tragically climbed to 20 children, with several others suffering from kidney failure. The affected children initially experienced fever and cold, followed by vomiting and difficulties in urinating, classic symptoms of dough poisoning. According to several media reports, Dr. Praveen Soni, a pediatrician who prescribed the syrup for many of the affected children, controversy. At the moment, families are waiting for justice, health care professionals require better safeguard measures, not only for children but also for those who are entrusted to their care.
