Emphasizing that aspirin is not the right drug for everyone, Dr. Suraj Kukadia said the cause is Reye's syndrome which can lead to swelling of the brain and liver.Commenting that this disease can cause permanent damage if not treated promptly, the expert said: “Aspirin should only be used for people under 16 years old if recommended by a doctor, especially for diseases such as Kawasaki disease.”The Mirror warning was also supported by the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The NHS website states that even low-dose aspirin is not suitable for children. However, in some special cases (after heart surgery or rare diseases such as Kawasaki disease), low-dose aspirin may be prescribed under a doctor's supervision. The NHS stresses that “there may be a link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome” and therefore “aspirin should never be given to children under 16 unless advised to do so by their doctor”.Reye syndrome is a rare but serious illness that can affect children and teenagers after an infection such as flu or chickenpox. Symptoms include: Continuous vomiting Drowsiness, weakness Confusion or confusion Irritability or aggressive behavior Rapid breathing and heart rate Seizures (convulsions) Loss of consciousnessThe NHS advises parents: If your child vomits repeatedly, is sleepy or weak, or behaves differently to normal (for example, is irritable or aggressive), contact your GP or call the emergency line immediately.
