Parents advised to properly medicate children

Industry experts are worried about the improper use of drugs for children at home, and advise parents to consult pediatricians in dosage to protect children from any risks.

Xu Shuxiang, executive vice secretary-general of the China News of Drug Information Association, told Xinhua that misuse and overdose are major mistakes made by Chinese parents.

"Some parents medicate their children based on their unprofessional experience, which may lead to misconduct," said Xu.

According to a report by the China News Service, a survey showed that up to 32 percent of children given medicine in China was deemed "improper" conduct, and that 12.9 percent of children would have an adverse reaction to medication, nearly twice that of adults.

In Shiqiaocun village in the central province of Henan, parents have little understanding of child-specific medicines and many villagers were "put off" by the taste of children's drugs and so just reduced the dosage of adult medications.

Even in metropolis like Beijing, some parents have medicated their children randomly.

Qin Jie, 27, said that when she was young, her mother used to give her half an adult dosage. "My mother would split the pill and give me one half," said Qin. "However, I will be more careful with my child."

Xu called on all households to consult pediatricians, regularly check their family medicines, keep an eye on their children after drug use, and timely report it to pediatricians if any discomfort occurs.

Thanks to years' publicity efforts, Xu said, the cases of misusing antibiotics to cause children deaf-mute have been largely reduced, and awareness of safe dosages for children has improved in recent years.