Can a 5-month-old baby take ibuprofen for fever?
Sep 20, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Fever usually refers to an elevated body temperature. The common formulation of ibuprofen is capsules. Generally, infants aged five months should not take ibuprofen when they have a fever. Ibuprofen may irritate the intestines and cause discomfort in infants. If any physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive professional treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, parents are advised to ensure proper warmth for their baby to prevent chills and subsequent fever.
Fever usually refers to an elevated body temperature. Common formulations of ibuprofen include tablets and capsules. Generally, infants who are five months old should not take ibuprofen for fever. Ibuprofen may irritate the intestines and cause discomfort in infants. If any physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive professional treatment under a doctor's guidance. The detailed explanation is as follows:
For five-month-old infants with fever, ibuprofen is generally not recommended for reducing body temperature. Ibuprofen works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the body. Besides its antipyretic effect, it also helps relieve pain and inflammation. Its fever-reducing effect is rapid and long-lasting, which may mask the infant’s symptoms and delay proper diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, ibuprofen can easily irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Infants under six months have relatively immature digestive systems and have not yet started on solid foods, so taking ibuprofen is not advised at this stage.
In daily life, parents are advised to ensure proper warmth for their infants to prevent chills and subsequent fever. Moreover, before administering any medication to an infant, parents should consult a qualified pediatrician in advance.
