The 1970s represented a distinct era in childhood healthcare, characterized by approaches to common ailments that differed significantly from present-day practices. Parents and medical professionals of the time managed childhood illnesses with the available medications, often relying on familiar remedies for everyday complaints. The understanding of drug safety and efficacy, particularly for pediatric populations, was still evolving, shaping how medicines were developed, prescribed, and administered to children.
Everyday Childhood Medications
Households in the 1970s stocked over-the-counter (OTC) medications for minor childhood illnesses. Aspirin, including children’s formulations like St. Joseph Aspirin, was widely used for fever and pain. These often came in flavored, chewable tablets. Acetaminophen, introduced as a nonprescription drug in 1960, also served as a fever reducer and pain reliever, gaining prominence by the mid-1970s.
Coughs and colds were managed with syrups and remedies. Many cough suppressants contained dextromethorphan, a common OTC alternative to codeine-based syrups. Some older formulations included alcohol or codeine, though safer alternatives were emerging. Vapor rubs, like Vicks VapoRub, were common household staples, applied externally to alleviate congestion.
Doctor-Prescribed Treatments
When OTC options were insufficient or illnesses more severe, doctor-prescribed medications were necessary. Antibiotics played a key role in treating common childhood bacterial infections like ear infections (otitis media) and strep throat. Penicillin, a foundational antibiotic, was a primary treatment choice for strep throat due to its effectiveness, narrow spectrum, and low cost.
Other penicillin derivatives, such as ampicillin and amoxicillin, were frequently prescribed for ear infections and other bacterial ailments. Antibiotic use significantly reduced complications from these once-serious infections. However, widespread antibiotic use in this era highlighted concerns about antibiotic resistance, a problem that became more pronounced in subsequent decades.
Shifting Perspectives on Child Medication Safety
The 1970s marked a re-evaluation of child medication safety, driven by emerging scientific understanding and public health concerns. A major catalyst was growing evidence linking aspirin use in children with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but severe condition affecting the brain and liver. Though first described in 1963, a significant link to aspirin use, especially after viral infections like influenza or chickenpox, emerged from studies in the late 1970s.
This association led to warnings from health organizations. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cautioned physicians and parents about the link between Reye’s syndrome and aspirin use in children with viral illnesses by 1980. By 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated warning labels on all aspirin-containing medications regarding this risk. This change reduced the incidence of Reye’s syndrome.
Before these developments, there was a lack of specific drug testing and dosing guidelines for children. Many medications had not been rigorously tested for safety or efficacy in pediatric populations, with dosages often extrapolated from adult data. This meant children’s unique physiological differences, like metabolic rates and organ development, were not fully accounted for, leading to potential risks. The Reye’s syndrome crisis spurred a push for child-specific drug research and more cautious prescribing, influencing pharmaceutical guidelines and regulatory oversight in subsequent decades.