Painkillers containing codeine can be fatal to young children.

The FDA has again warned about the risk of death in young children using pain relievers containing codeine due to sleep apnea.

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) said that four children aged 2-5 years old "had problems" when taking drugs containing this ingredient. Of these, three died and one child suffered a life-threatening respiratory disorder.

The report said the children had a mutation in a gene that produces an enzyme in the liver that converts codeine to morphine, causing rapidly higher than normal levels of morphine, which can cause respiratory depression.

Although the rate of occurrence of this gene mutation is only about 1 - 7%, however, in some races this rate is very high, up to 30% in Africans.

Therefore, the FDA is asking health care professionals to be aware of the risk of rapid conversion of codeine to morphine in children, especially those who have had tonsils removed or surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Physicians prescribing codeine should be mindful to use the lowest possible dose, for the shortest possible time, and only when absolutely necessary.

According to Tuoi Tre/ FDA's News release - NT