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Paracetamol can be dangerous
In rural communities in my country, most mothers give
paracetamol tablets, rather than syrups, to children with
fever. They believe paracetamol syrup is not effec-tive
and it is true that most available syr-ups are
sub-standard, diluted products.
However, the use of paracetamol tablet is frequently
associated with overdose. Overdose can damage a
child’s liver and kidneys. Health workers and
mothers need to be aware of the proper dosage of
paracetamol.IC
Akabogu, Pharmacist, Patterson Chemicals Nigeria, PO Box
48, Akwaeze, Anaocha L.G.A,
Anambra State, Nigeria
Terms and
conditions
This box explains some of the technical terms
used in this issue.
Amniotic fluid
– the liquid which surrounds the baby in the uterus.
Asphyxia – lack of oxygen in the body.
Eclampsia – fits (convulsions) in
pregnancy caused by high blood pressure.
Enema – fluid put into the rectum to
cause a bowel movement.
Episiotomy – a cut sometimes made in
the entrance to the vagina just before the baby is born.
Oxytocic drugs – medicines which cause
the uterus to contract. in hospitals they can be used to
speed up labour. They are also used to prevent and treat
bleeding after birth.
Pre-eclampsia –an illness of
preg-nancy in which there is high blood pressure,
swelling of the tissues (oedema) and protein in the
urine.
Traditional birth attendant (TBA)
– a traditional midwife. Trained TBAs can be very
useful maternity care workers.
Vesico-vaginal fistula – an opening
between the bladder and the vagina through which urine
drips continuously. Caused by a long, obstructed labour.
Dr Carolyn Green from
ECHO International Health Services Ltd replies:
It is very important to know the strength of
paracetamol tablets when used for children. The usual
adult tablet is 500mg. However, there are also 325mg
adult tablets and 100mg paediatric tablets in
circulation. To prevent accidental overdose, doses should
always be stated in the amount of drug, rather than just
as a number of tablets. For example, 1/4 tablet
paracetamol 500mg, three times a day.
Iron rich foods
There is an over simplification in the article on
anaemia in your issue on malaria. Some of the foods
listed are rich in haem-iron and some are rich in
non-haem iron. Meat, liver and kidney are good sources of
haem-iron, which is well absorbed in the body. Egg yolk
and dark green leafy vegetables are rich in non-haem
iron, which is poorly absorbed. Vitamin C improves the
absorption of non-haem iron. So to benefit from the iron
in egg yolk and dark green leafy vegetables it is best to
eat them together with fruit or fruit juice.
Claire Schofield,
Research Fellow, Human Nutrition Unit, London School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
AHRTAG replies
Yes, thank you for making
this clear. We will be having another article on iron and
anaemia in issue 9.
| Dear Reader We require more articles
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Malnutrition
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