Posts Tagged ‘children’

Most of us know about the dangers of second-hand smoke. But have you heard about third-hand smoke? If not, you’re not alone. A new Harvard study suggests that less than half of all US households have heard of the term, which refers to the residual toxic chemicals that can cling to people’s hair, clothing, furniture, carpeting, and other household surfaces, even after second-hand smoke has cleared the room. It’s what one smells when someone who was just smoking walks into a room, or when you enter a hotel room where people were smoking. Third-hand smoke is especially harmful to children and infants because they are more likely to inhale the chemicals when held in close proximity to a smoker, or someone who was exposed to second-hand smoke. Children are also more likely to touch and lick household surfaces, thus ingesting the toxins, which pose a cancer risk. Therefore, simply airing out a room, or even quitting smoking, may not completely protect children from the dangers of smoking. Parents should be cognizant of potential sources of third-hand smoke. A good tip is to change your clothing prior to cradling your child if you’ve been exposed to cigarette smoke.

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Boston University researchers report that children of centenarians live longer than their counterparts, and with less risk of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. In a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers found that offspring of centenarians had 78% lower risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), an 83% lower risk of stroke, and an 86% lower risk of developing diabetes.

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In a report titled “Progress for Children: A Report Card on Maternal Maternity” the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) states that the number of mothers who died during pregnancy or childbirth remain largely unchanged. Over 99% of the estmated 536,000 worldwide maternal deaths in 2005 occurred in developing countries – half of them in sub-Saharan Africa. “One of the critical bottlenecks has always been access to highly skilled health workers required to deliver emergency obstetrical care, particularly caesarian sections,” Peter Salama UNICEF’s chief of health, told a news briefing. The leading causes of maternal death include hemorrhaging, infections, blood pressure problems, complications of abortions, obstructed labor, and HIV/AIDS. Read more and share your opinion.

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It was just last week when the FDA rejected an immediate ban on cold and cough medications for young children, citing concerns that parents would instead give adult medicines to their kids, which could lead to serious side effects. Today, in a voluntary concession to pediatricians, drug companies are advising that children under 4 should not be given over-the-counter cold and cough drugs, in addition to antihistamines. These drugs can cause side effects ranging from hives, drowsiness, to unsteadiness. Leading pediatrics groups have been advocating the ban of these drugs because there is no evidence that they work for children under 6. US families spend over $286 million each year on these remedies, which lead to 7,000 emergency room visits per year due to side effects. Read more. Share your perspective.

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New research concurrently published by Montreal’s major medical centers in the International Journal of Obesity show that kids who are surrounded by peers and family who are overweight are more likely to misperceive their own weight. “When children’s parents and schoolmates are overweight or obese, their own overweight status may seem normal by comparison. The higher the BMI of their friends and family, the more kids are likely to underestimate their weight – a trend consistent for both sexes, regardless of the socioeconomic levels of their school or family,” said lead author Katerina Maximova. This is an important issue because “Accurately perceiving oneself as overweight or obese is an important cue to take action,” says Jennifer J. McGrath, director of the Pediatric Public Health Psychology Lab at Concordia University. Full story.

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