EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CONSUMPTION OF MEDICINES BY CHILDREN OF AN URBAN-POPULATION IN THE SOUTHERN OF BRAZIL

The consumption of medicines among a population-based cohort of 4,746 children born in 1982 in Pelotas, Brazil, was studied when the childre n were aged 3-4,5 years. Fifty six percent of the mothers reported tha t their children had taken one or more medicines during a two-week per iod; 29.5% of the products were fixed combinations of three or more co mponents, (which was taken as an indicator of poor quality). Almost 10 % of the children had used a given medicine for one month or more. Asp irin, combinations of vitamins and mineral supplements and cough and c old combinations were the medicines most frequently used. The commones t reasons for taking medicines were colds, fevers and lack of appetite . The latter was the commonest reason for long-term use and also for t hat of combinations. Physicians' prescriptions were responsible for mo re than 60% of the medicines used (including dipyrone and appetite sti mulants). In all social classes the consumption was above 50%. Childre n classified in the fifth quintile of family income consumed 14% more medicines than those in the first quintile. Children with two or more older siblings consumed 12% less medicines than the elder ones. Malnou rished children, according to weight for age, consumed 30% more medici nes than the well-nourished. Children consulting a doctor four times o r more during the three-month period before the interview were using t wo times more medicines than children who had had no consultation duri ng the same period. The frequent use of aspirin is a reason for concer n as it has been associated with Reye's syndrome in children. It is al so important to stress the danger of poisoning resulting from medicine s available at home. Another noteworthy aspect concerns the messages t ransmitted to the children regarding the use of medicines for almost e very conceivable reason which could possibly lead to medicine or illic it drug addiction.