Written By: Shreya Bendsure BPharm, Sheetal Barbade, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Last couple of weeks, a series of child deaths in India has attracted nationwide attention and triggered urgent investigations. The first cluster of cases surfaced in Madhya Pradesh, where several children allegedly developed kidney failure after consuming cough syrup distributed under a government scheme. Soon after this incidence, similar incidents were reported in Rajasthan, where two more children lost their lives. While laboratory analysis is still underway, what is common across these cases is the development of acute kidney injury in children who had recently been given cough syrups. The matter has raised widespread concern because kidney injury is a common feature in all cases, suggesting exposure to a toxic substance.
Madhya Pradesh: Cluster of Deaths Linked to Syrups
The first set of cases was reported from Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, where at least six children have died over the past two weeks. Parents told government officials that the children had consumed cough syrups supplied under a government health program before their condition worsened. The state health department immediately banned the use of these batches and collected samples for testing. Local police also registered an inquiry into the possibility of spurious or contaminated syrups in circulation. Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are now assisting the state in tracing the cause of the deaths.
Rajasthan: Separate Cases Raise New Concerns
Shortly after Madhya Pradesh’s reports, two deaths in Rajasthan raised more concern. One case occurred in Sikar and another in Bharatpur, both involving children who had consumed cough syrup before developing critical illness and later passing away. Parents claimed the syrups were given at government hospitals, but the state health department denied these allegations. Their preliminary inquiry suggested the medicines were given at home and not as part of government-supplied stock. Still the authorities ordered sample collection, quality testing, and a formal inquiry to ensure there was no breach in the official distribution chain. The conflicting accounts between families and officials have left room for uncertainty, but the possibility of a broader safety issue could not be ruled out.
The Common Thread
Although the two states reported cases separately, the common factor in all deaths is the use of cough syrups containing dextromethorphan, a widely used cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan itself is not known to cause kidney failure, but investigators are considering the possibility of contamination with ethylene glycol (EG) or diethylene glycol (DEG). These are toxic industrial chemicals that have historically been misused as cheaper substitutes for pharmaceutical solvents. Even small amounts of EG or DEG can cause kidney damage and death in children, which makes them prime suspects in the current investigations.
Government and Regulatory Response
The reports have triggered action at multiple levels. The Madhya Pradesh health department suspended the implicated batches and stopped distribution until results from laboratories are available. The Rajasthan health department ordered district-level inquiries and testing of collected samples. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is tracking the manufacturers and supply chain of the syrups, while the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been called in for technical support. The Union Health Ministry is monitoring the situation and has assured that test results will guide further action.
A History of Syrup-Linked Tragedies
This is not the first time cough syrups have been linked to child deaths. In 2020, at least 12 children died in Jammu after consuming syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol. In 2022, similar incidents made global headlines when syrups manufactured in India were linked to child deaths in The Gambia and Uzbekistan, prompting warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO). These repeated episodes show that gaps in drug safety and monitoring remain, and highlight the urgent need for stronger quality checks and pharmacovigilance in both domestic and export markets.
Implications for Public Health
Until laboratory results confirm whether the implicated cough syrups were contaminated, a cautious approach is essential for both families and healthcare providers. For parents and caregivers, the most important step is to avoid giving children medicines that are bought without proper prescription or from unverified sources, especially local or loose syrups that may not meet quality standards. Self-medication in children should be strictly avoided, even for common conditions like cough and cold. If a child has already consumed syrup and develops warning signs such as vomiting, swelling, reduced urine output, or unusual drowsiness, immediate medical care should be sought.
For physicians and pediatricians, the current situation underscores the need for careful prescribing. Doctors are advised to prescribe only quality-assured formulations from trusted sources and to remain vigilant for any unusual clusters of kidney injury or unexplained illness in children. Suspected adverse events should be promptly reported to pharmacovigilance authorities for immediate action.
It is important to understand that even though investigations are ongoing; these deaths highlight the risks of relying on unregulated or low-cost medicines without proper medical supervision. Families should consult qualified medical professionals before giving any medicines to children.
References
6 Children Die of Kidney Failure in 15 Days in Madhya Pradesh, 2 Cough Syrups Banned, NDTV.com, 01 Oct 2025, https://www.ndtv.com/video/cough-syrup-kills-2-children-doctor-takes-it-to-prove-it-s-safe-and-faints-1002673
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan probe child deaths linked to cough syrup, Business Standard, 02 Oct 2025, https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/cough-syrup-deaths-mp-rajasthan-drug-authorities-investigate-125100200793_1.html
Child dies after taking cough syrup in sikar; probe ordered, 29 Sept 2025, Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/child-dies-after-taking-coughsyrup-in-sikar-probe-ordered/articleshow/124219264.cms
Medical Product Alert N°6/2022: Substandard (contaminated) paediatric medicines, WHO, 05 Oct 2022, https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2022-medical-product-alert-n-6-2022-substandard-(contaminated)-paediatric-medicines
Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies? Healthy Children.org, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/Coughs-and-Colds-Medicines-or-Home-Remedies.aspx