Table 2 The characteristics of included RCTs

Chaihu injection (acupoint block in T1 or intramuscular injection in T2)

Lv [9]

Guiding principle of clinical research on new drugs of traditional Chinese Medicine*

Not reported

N = 253 (100 in T1, 52 in T2, 50 in C1, and 51 in C2); M/F: not reported; Age: not reported;

C1: saline acupoint block; C2: ribavirin

Fever clearance time and cure rate

Not mentioned.

Ganmao Qingre granules

Di [10]

Chinese clinical integrative medicine Textbook

Wind-cold type of common cold

N = 60 (30/30); M/F: 18/12 in T and 16/14 in C; Age: 6 months-12 years

Pediatric paracetamol

Cure rate

Not mentioned.

Shuanghuanglian oral liquid

Wang [11]

Clinical symptoms and laboratory test results

Not reported

N = 100 (50/50); M/F: not reported; Age: 6 months-14 years

Ribavirin injection

Cure rate

No adverse event was identified.

Xiaoer Baotaikang granules

Wu [12]

Criteria of diagnosis and therapeutic effect of TCM diseases*

Wind-heat type of common cold

N = 100 (50/50); M/F: not reported; Age: 4.28 ± 3.37 years in T, and 4.56 ± 3.44 years in C.

Amoxicillin granules

Cure rate

Not mentioned.

Xiaoer Resuqing oral liquid

Li [13]

Diagnostic criteria for high fever of external contraction (Waigan Gaore in TCM syndroms)*

Not reported

N = 120 (65/55); M/F: 75/45; Age: 8 months-7 years

Moroxydine tablets

Cure rate

Not mentioned.