Treatment of children's fevers in ltaly after the withdrawal of Aspirin pediatric formulations from OTC products.

In Italy, regulations have recently restricted acetylsalicylic acid formulations for children to the 'prescription only' list following their implication in Reye's syndrome. Consequently, there is no antipyretic drug for children available on the market as an OTC. Six hundred questionnaires were distributed to mothers of children under ten years of age through 18 different schools. The aim was to elucidate maternal behaviour when a child is feverish and to evaluate the impact of a more restrictive regulation on parental habits. Some variables, such as the ages of the mother and the child or the educational level of the decision maker, were found to influence the behaviour significantly. A physician was consulted in about half of the cases and his decision did not differ very much from the conclusion regarding self-medication made by mothers. In the great majority of cases, the child's fever was treated with a pediatric drug rather than by reducing an adult dosage form. The physician's main choice was paracetamol but the range of drugs used appeared to be wider. Regulations can produce an immediate effect but only information can ensure permanent change in health provider and consumer habits.