With a new cold season coming, the government is trying once more to decide what to do about over-the-counter medicines for kids’ coughs and sniffles. Doctors question the drugs’ benefits and worry about their risks.Pediatricians are urging the Food and Drug Administration, which scheduled a public hearing Thursday on the issue, to demand a recall of the medicines for children younger than 6.

But colds usually clear up on their own after a few days. Many doctors say rest and plenty of fluids are what it takes to get over a cold.

The FDA this year warned against giving OTC cold medicines to children younger than 2. At that time, officials said they expected to decide by spring on recommendations for youngsters up to 11. Now the agency is seeking more advice from doctors, industry and consumers.

The industry says OTC medicines have been used for decades in treating kids’ colds and are safe for those older than 2. Nonetheless, manufacturers are carrying out new studies involving the most common ingredients in the medications. The companies voluntarily stopped selling cough and cold medicines for babies and toddlers last fall.

FDA advisers said that was not enough and recommended that the drugs not be used for children younger than 6. An expert panel said older children could keep taking the medications while studies are undertaken to settle scientific questions about safety and effectiveness.