Which medication should be avoided in children under 16 due to risk of Reye's syndrome?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. Aspirin
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Naproxen

Answer: (B)

Aspirin should be avoided in children and teenagers because giving it during a viral illness has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious brain and liver condition. This association makes aspirin the medication to avoid under 16 in these situations. Other fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen do not carry the same risk and are commonly used for fever or pain in children, with appropriate dosing. Naproxen, another NSAID, isn’t tied to Reye's syndrome in the same way, but is used less often in kids for fever. The key point is to steer clear of aspirin in pediatric viral illnesses to reduce the risk of this severe complication.