Heavy use of electronic devices may put a child at risk of diabetes
Daily ‘screen time’ of three or more hours is linked to several risk factors associated
with the development of type 2 diabetes in children, according to a UK study.
Children who spent long periods watching electronic screens every day were more likely to have higher body fat, insulin
Getting a tooth out for under-fives hurts parents’ pockets
A new study has shown that the cost of getting teeth out in the under-fives under general anaesthetic could be eight times more expensive than preventive programmes! The study of 347 preschool children in Cork, which was
published in the latest edition of Journal of the Irish Dental Association, showed that the cost of treatment - €819 per patient - could be as much as eight times the cost of a preventive/oral health promotion programme for the same group. Dr Michaela Dalton, President of the HSE Dental
Surgeons group, said the findings showed that prevention is not just a much better option for patients; it is also much more cost effective. ‘Too many children in Ireland are having teeth extracted
under general anaesthetic. We believe the number is well over 10,000 every year. Having teeth extracted under general anaesthetic is a very traumatic event for a young person and, in the vast majority of cases, it is preventable.’ The Irish Dental Association has now called on the
Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to introduce preventive programmes targeting preschool-aged children to tackle the high levels of dental caries within this age group and to provide a comprehensive preventive dental health programme for every child under twelve.
Music combats low mood
in youngsters Kids have significantly improved self esteem and reduced depression if they receive music therapy according to researchers from Bournemouth University and Queen’s University, Belfast. ‘Music therapy has often been
used with children and young people with particular mental health needs, but this is the first time its effectiveness has been shown by a definitive randomised controlled trial in a clinical setting,’ says Ciara Reilly, chief executive of Every Day Harmony, the music therapy charity involved in the research.
resistance and weight gain, the research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests.
Pharmacists warn about giving medicines to kids
The Irish Pharmacy Union has produced a handy, downloadable leaflet for parents on managing the most common ailments in babies and young children, including advice on medicine safety:
• Read the leaflet. Always follow the recommendations on the information leaflet provided with the medication.
• Give the correct dose. The dose must be suitable for the child’s age and weight.
• Follow the directions on when the medicine is to be taken. Stick to the instructions, for example, with or after food, or with liquid.
• Use the proper-sized spoon. Never guess the dose. Always use the 5ml spoon or dosage syringe provided with the medication.
• Follow age and weight limit recommendations. If the label says don’t give to children under a certain age or weight, don’t do it.
• Ensure the child takes all of the medicine each time it is given. • Keep a record of how much you have given and when. • Do not chill or crush medicine without checking it is okay to do so with your pharmacist, as this could alter the effectiveness of some medicines.
‘When a child is sick,’ says community pharmacist, Ann Marie Horan, ‘it is natural that parents want to make them feel better. Occasionally parents can unintentionally give young children too much medicine, especially when they are administering medicine regularly. Medicine dosages for children should be adjusted according to the age and weight of the child, particularly when it comes to common pain relieving medicines. Too little medication can be ineffective, while too much medication can be harmful. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on the correct dosage for your child and I would encourage all parents to check with us – that’s what we’re here for.’ To download a leaflet go to
https://ipu.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ IPU-Childrens-Health-Leaflet.pdf
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