Denying that a paracetamol shot can kill a person, health officials at Theni, said they are awaiting the post-mortem lab reports to ascertain the exact cause for the death of a 10-month-old infant on Saturday, after allegedly being administered with the paracetamol dose.

"Paracetamol in reality cannot kill a person when administered and the actual cause of death can be revealed only when the lab reports of drug samples collected from the body reach us," V Shanmugasundaram, deputy director of health (Madurai), who is holding additional in charge for Theni district said.

The 10-month-old infant, son of Suresh and Annapackiam from Erathimakkalpatti was taken to the primary health care centre at M Subbalapuram near Andipatti, as he was suffering from fever and cough. The duty doctor at PHC, Uma Balan instructed the nurse, Mariammal to administer paracetamol injection to the infant. However, the baby fainted after the injection.

In the same way, two others, aged 10 and eight years, both children of one Selvaraj from the same village also developed fainting symptoms. The three were rushed to the Theni Medical College GH, where the infant was declared dead, while the other two children were admitted for treatment.

Irked by the death of the child, villagers of Erathimakkalpatti picketed the road in front of medical college. Andipatti DSP, K R Vijayabaskaran and MLA, Thangatamilselvan pacified the villagers and assured them that action would be taken once the post-mortem report is out. The villagers dispersed from the spot after their assurances.

Shanmugasundaram said that the infant was administered paracetamol and setron, the regular dose for fever and cough.

"The drug samples collected from the child's body has been sent to the lab at Chennai. Further action will be taken once the reports are in hand, which will take a week's time," he said. He also suspected the possibility of anaphylaxis, serious allergic reaction to any drug, which is rapid and causes death. Departmental action will also be initiated if need be after ascertaining the reports, he added.

The condition of other two children admitted in the hospital is stable and improving, sources said.