Q. Recently on two separate prime-time TV shows I heard the character playing the parent of a young child suggest giving the youngster a baby aspirin. It has been some time since I worked as a pediatric nurse, so maybe things have changed. We never gave aspirin to children due to its connection with Reye’s syndrome. If this has changed, please set me straight.
A. You are absolutely correct. When children or even teenagers take aspirin for chickenpox or flu, they run an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially deadly condition. Parents should not give children aspirin for fevers.
