Urgent health warning over medicine administered to babies to stop crying

The plant, which is used in drugs given to babies to stop excessive crying, could be toxic.

Australian babies are falling sick more than ever before after being given a colic treatment that could be potentially toxic, health experts have warned.

NSW Health have revealed an increasing amount of neonatal children and infants are presenting to doctors and emergency departments with suspected anticholinergic syndrome.

The syndrome could be affected by belladonna, a colic treatment that could be potentially toxic.

Colic is described as long periods of excessive and unexplained crying.

Parents are being warned about harmful drugs for colic treatment.

The syndrome “may occur after administration of a ‘colic preparation’ purchased online that contains belladonna”, NSW Health warned.

Belladonna is a toxic plant that can be harmful to babies and young children even if administered in small doses.

“Clinicians are advised to have heightened suspicion for belladonna toxicity in neonates, infants and young children presenting with symptoms of anticholinergic syndrome where ‘colic preparations have been ingested,” NSW Health said.

Signs and symptoms of the syndrome include: flushed skin, dry skin, dry mouth, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, urinary retention, gastrointestinal issues, raised temperature, agitation, drowsiness, floppiness, poor feeding and occasionally seizures.

NSW Health has warned babies can fall ill within 30 minutes and four hours of taking the poison.

Parents across Australia are being urged not to use any medicine which contains the plant.

Queensland Health has also warned residents to be on alert for the drug.

Originally published as Urgent health warning over medicine administered to babies to stop crying