Six children die due to kidney failure in MP’s Chhindwara; toxic cough syrup suspected behind deaths
Samples of the suspected medicines and blood tests from affected children have been sent to the Virology Institute in Pune for further analysis
PTC Web Desk: A devastating tragedy has gripped Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, where six children under the age of five have died of kidney failure within just 15 days. Investigators now suspect that contaminated cough syrups containing the toxic chemical diethylene glycol may be behind the deaths.
What initially appeared to be common seasonal fever has turned into a public health emergency. Families said their children were given cough syrups prescribed by local doctors for mild fever and cold. While the children initially seemed to recover, they soon developed urinary retention and kidney complications.
Several children were referred to hospitals in Nagpur, Maharashtra, but three of them could not survive despite advanced treatment. “Our children only had a small fever. After the syrup, their urine stopped completely. We never imagined this could happen,” a grieving parent shared.
The alarming breakthrough came when kidney biopsy reports revealed traces of diethylene glycol, a toxic solvent linked to pharmaceutical poisoning. Most of the affected children had been given Coldrif and Nextro-DS syrups.
Taking urgent action, Chhindwara Collector Sheelendra Singh banned the sale of the two syrups across the district and issued an advisory to parents, doctors, and pharmacies.
“The biopsy findings indicate contaminated medicine as the probable cause of kidney failure. Water samples from the villages have tested normal. The drug link is now under serious investigation,” Sheelendra Singh stated.
The district administration has roped in experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), while a two-member Health Department team from Bhopal has begun field surveys in Parasia, Newton Chikli, and nearby villages. They are collecting medicine samples, interviewing families, and screening children for early symptoms.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Naresh Gonare confirmed that the first suspected case emerged on August 24, with the first death reported on September 7.
“Since late September, we have seen an unusual spike in kidney complications in children. While viral infections are common this season, multiple cases of kidney failure in such a short time are highly concerning,” Dr Gonare said.
Samples of the suspected medicines and blood tests from affected children have been sent to the Virology Institute in Pune for further analysis.