Tragic Kidney Failure Outbreak: 6 Children Die in Madhya Pradesh Due to Suspected Contaminated Cough Syrups

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Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh has been struck by tragedy as six children under the age of five have succumbed to kidney failure within a 15-day period.

What began as seemingly normal seasonal fever cases has evolved into something more alarming, with investigators now pointing to contaminated cough syrups containing toxic diethylene glycol as the probable cause of these deaths.

The affected families report that their children initially experienced cold symptoms and mild fever. Local medical practitioners prescribed standard medications, including cough syrups, which appeared to provide temporary relief. However, the symptoms returned within days, accompanied by a concerning reduction in urinary output, rapidly progressing to kidney infections.

Three of the children were transported to Nagpur, Maharashtra for specialized treatment, but unfortunately did not survive.

One bereaved parent shared, "Our children had never even been sick before. This time, they had a small fever. After the syrup, their urine stopped. We couldn't save them."

The breakthrough in the investigation came when kidney biopsies detected diethylene glycol contamination, a toxic substance commonly associated with pharmaceutical poisoning. Most victims had been given Coldrif and Nextro-DS cough syrups.

Chhindwara Collector Sheelendra Singh promptly prohibited the sale of these two medications across the district and issued an urgent advisory to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and parents.

"The biopsy report strongly suggests contaminated medicine as the cause of kidney failure. Water samples from the affected villages have shown no infection. The drug link cannot be ignored," Singh stated.

Given the gravity of the situation, the district administration has requested assistance from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

A two-person team from Bhopal's Health Department has arrived in the affected areas of Parasia, Newton Chikli, and surrounding villages. They are conducting interviews with families, collecting medicine samples, and performing door-to-door surveys to identify additional affected children.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Naresh Gonare revealed that the first suspected case was reported on August 24, with the first fatality occurring on September 7.

"Since September 20, more cases of urinary retention and kidney complications have emerged. This is a sensitive period for viral infections, but sudden kidney failure in so many children points to something far more dangerous," he explained.

The ICMR team has already forwarded blood and medicine samples to the Virology Institute in Pune for comprehensive analysis.

As the grieving families seek justice and explanations, the administration faces increasing pressure to address this public health crisis.