The deadly consequences of the toxic cough syrup Coldrif continued on Tuesday, as two more children died, raising the death toll to 17 in 43 days. The victims, Jayashu Yaduvanshi and Vedansh Pawar, both aged two and suffering from renal failure, passed away during treatment in Nagpur after suffering severe brain damage caused by diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in the syrup.
Cause of deaths and medical insights
According to Dr Ashish Lothe of GMCH, diethylene glycol adheres to brain tissues and is extremely difficult to filter during treatment. He added that while the permissible limit of DEG is 0.1%, tests showed the syrup contained 48.6% DEG, nearly 500 times the safe limit. Both children reportedly suffered irreversible brain damage before succumbing, highlighting the acute toxicity of the contaminated syrup.
Currently, 11 children remain critical in hospitals in Nagpur, receiving intensive care. Civic and health officials have intensified monitoring to provide immediate medical attention to affected children.
Recovery and tracing efforts
In response to the outbreak, a door-to-door survey was launched in Chhindwara to trace and recover bottles of Coldrif that were already sold before the ban was imposed, Parasia SDM Shubham Yadav told TOI. Authorities are urging parents to immediately hand over any remaining bottles to health officials to prevent further fatalities.
The Madhya Pradesh government has also issued advisories to parents and healthcare providers to avoid administering any syrup from the implicated batch and to report adverse effects immediately.
Public safety concerns
The repeated incidents have raised serious questions about the regulation and quality control of medicines prescribed to children. Public health experts have stressed the need for strict enforcement of pharmaceutical standards, routine testing, and vigilant monitoring of drug manufacturers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Local authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the supply chain of Coldrif and have warned distributors and retailers of severe penalties if negligence is found.
Conclusion
As investigations continue and more children receive treatment, the focus remains on preventing further loss of life and ensuring accountability. Parents are urged to remain cautious and report any remaining syrup immediately. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for strict regulation, quality checks, and public awareness regarding medicines for children.