Killer cough syrup? 6 Madhya Pradesh children dead after suspected poisoning

Bhopal: A major health crisis has unfolded in Madhya Pradesh after six children died of kidney failure in Chhindwara district, with authorities linking the deaths to contaminated cough syrup. District collector Sheelendra Singh confirmed on Tuesday that the syrup given to the children was allegedly tainted with diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial chemical used in paints, inks, and brake fluids.

The first suspected case emerged on August 24 in Parasia village, when a child developed fever and cold. The first death occurred on September 7. According to Chhindwara chief medical officer Dr. Naresh Gonare, the children initially presented with fever and cold, followed by difficulty in urination. Despite being referred to Nagpur for treatment, they could not be saved.

Kidney biopsies conducted on the deceased confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol. Blood samples from affected children have been sent to Pune’s Virology Institute for further analysis, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been alerted.

In response, the district administration has banned the sale of two cough syrups suspected to be contaminated and issued urgent advisories to doctors, pharmacies, and parents. Collector Singh said the biopsy reports strongly suggest contaminated medicine as the cause of kidney failure, and a team from ICMR has been deployed to investigate the case further.

The incident has drawn national concern as India has previously faced global scrutiny over cough syrup-related deaths abroad. In Chhindwara, the series of fatalities within a short span has raised alarms among health officials and parents. Diethylene glycol, the compound suspected in this case, is highly toxic and has been linked to multiple mass poisoning incidents worldwide.

Authorities confirmed that all the affected children had consumed cough syrup before showing symptoms. The children suffered from fever and cold initially, but their conditions worsened with kidney-related complications. Despite intensive care, none survived.

The administration has clamped down on the sale of the two identified syrups and launched a district-wide awareness drive to prevent further use. Experts emphasise that DEG contamination often occurs when manufacturers use substandard or improperly tested solvents.

ICMR’s investigation team is expected to conduct a detailed probe into the manufacturing source of the syrups and the chain of distribution. Officials have assured strict action once the findings are confirmed.