Parents Cafe » Children’s health

Altnagelvin Hospital probe

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:22:49 +0000

Last month a baby named Caolan, died at the Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in Northern Ireland. He was one of four infants that died from an infection of Pseudomonas bacteria. The parents have since demanded a public inquiry into the case.

The cases occurred in two separate neo-natal units; one in Altnagelvin and three in the Royal Jubilee facilities in Belfast. In both outbreaks, the source has been identified as water taps. The taps have since been removed from both the units and have been disinfected and tested. All tests over the last five weeks have shown no traces of Pseudomonas.

The inquiry would look into whether the hospital’s acted correctly and if the second outbreak could have been prevented. The taps will now be replaced with new ones featuring ultra violet technology, and Mr Burke believes that the taps should be replaced in all units in Northern Ireland.

In addition, he questions whether the two hospitals could have communicated better in order to spread the knowledge that the bacteria was in the area, and thus prevent the infection from taking the lives of any other children.

The parents did not know what had killed their baby until after they had buried him. The doctors from the hospital called them to tell them of the Pseudomonas bacteria on December 14^th. This was the day after they identified the tap as the source of the outbreak. It was the only tap that was infected.

Baby Caolan had to stay in the hospital after birth because he was suffering from bleeding in his brain. Despite this, the hospital was confident that the infant would pull through. However, the infection of Pseudomonas meant that this was not the case.

In the hospital’s defence after they became aware of the infection in its neo-natal unit (December 12^th) they acted swiftly to investigate the issue. They identified the single tap on the subsequent day and took steps to treat it.

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Climate change and child ear problems link discovered

Alan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:07:20 +0000

A link has been discovered during recent research between climate change and children contracting ear infections. Children are now developing more Otitis Media, or ear infections, during the winter months of December/January, which is two months later than has been recorded for the past 2 decades. An analysis of trends dating back to 2000 have been revealed by the General Practice Research Database has suggested a link to global warming.

Researchers are also warning that GP’s could now face more pressure as they have to treat more cases than ever during what is already one of the busiest periods of the year for those who work in the health service. Two scientists have been funded by Deafness Research UK to investigate the trends in this common ailment, suing a database of the GP consultations which took place during the 2000′s.

Both these, and figures collated from other countries, have shown that consultations regarding ear infections have gradually declined over the years. The condition is invariably more common during the winter and this must be taken into account when looking at possible changes over the years.

Whilst the researches didn’t expect to see the winter peak displaced, but found that the typical sharp rise that took place in October/November was now coming 2 months later. The annual decline was also shown to be the steepest during the months of autumn.

One possible explanation is the warmer autumns in recent years preventing seasonal viruses (which cause colds and trigger OM) from getting established as early as previously. The importance of temperature in month-to-month variation suggests that this is indeed a major factor.

Glue ear, which is a major consequence of OM, is the retention of fluid in the middle ear for some weeks after an ear infection. It causes hearing loss that often changes children’s communication and behaviour. Its annual cycle is a month or more delayed with respect to that for OM. The researchers found the glue ear peak occurred progressively later in recent years, just like the cycle for the primary infection, OM.

“It is known that overall global warming has been slower recently, but the autumn rise in ear infection consultations in the UK has still been happening later and later,” said Professor Mark Haggard, Deafness Research UK Chairman and a Senior Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge.

“We have used controls for as many of the known factors as possible and we find a close link to the actual month-to-month temperatures within the years studied. So we have to consider that the overall change in pattern is partly due to changing aspects of climate, particularly the milder autumns of recent years. Some respiratory viruses are temperature-sensitive.”

Professor Haggard has been analysing the data with Dr Ian Williamson of the Department of General Practice at Southampton University who, as a practising GP, has a strong interest in the implications of the data for UK GPs. “The timing and nature of advice to GPs and parents may have to reflect these changing patterns,” added Dr Williamson. “In those children who do get glue ear following an ear infection, more of this will now occur in December/January rather than November. This is a period when there are other pressures on families and overall demand on the health service has built up. Nevertheless it is still necessary to look out for children who miss sounds and appear not to be paying attention, or are being less cooperative than usual, as these are the signs of glue ear.”

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “Glue ear remains a problem among young children and this latest research could prove useful in helping GPs and others in the health service to recognise where the peaks and troughs are now likely to be. Then they can provide the necessary cover.”

For further information on deafness and deafness-related conditions call freephone 0808 808 2222 or visit Deafness Research UK’s website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

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Tyne and Wear young people get top priority care

Alan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:16:49 +0000

A shakeup of health services in Tyne and Wear is going to mean that young people get top priority care. Inpatient services are going to be removed at Gateshead and South Tyneside hospitals for children and instead hubs are going to be created at the Great North Children’s Hospital and the Sunderland Royal Hospital.

This means more children from outside of the city are going to get access to care from the city’s facilities, but Geoff Lawson, paediatric consultant has said that the primary responsibility will still be with children in Sunderland.

Dr Lawson commented, “My first priority will always be taking care of the children in Sunderland. This reorganisation is just going to mean we can take care of more patients as well, this is not going to mean the care of current patients changes in any way.”

Dr Lawson also highlighted that this is not a new decision and it is something that has been in planning for over 15 years. He continued, “I am well aware that the government is cutting back on spending but this is not a finance-based decision. We think this is the right way to move forward and we have thought so for a long time.”

The GP commissioning board for the area have said that they are keen to see more services being provided to patients through primary care rather than having to refer them to secondary care, such as that received in hospital. This benefits are both to the health service as well as children who have to spend less time in hospital.

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One in four children under 10 say they feel overweight

Alan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:15:54 +0000

According to a recent survey, 25% of children under the age of ten consider themselves to be overweight. The survey was commissioned by the television programme ‘Dying to be thin-Tonight’ aired on ITV1. The survey, that was carried out amongst 1500 people aged between 7-18 has also revealed that 28% had been bullied due to their weight, 26% skipped meals to lose weight and 40% of those under ten were worrying about their weight.

Lucie Russell is the director of campaigns, policy and participation for YoungMinds, and she said that it is vital that we don’t dismiss these statistics and act as responsible adults to help these children to feel better about themselves.

She added that today’s children are growing up within a harsh environment and are under constant pressure to conform to the latest trends in looking and acting a certain way, and we must, as a society, look at the pressure we are putting these youngsters under.

“Children feeling insecure about their bodies need to be are helped to feel positive about who they are and what they look like. At an early stage it can start with not feeling positive about your self-image and crash diets but this can soon turn into much more complex eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia which can scar for life

“Much more needs to be done both at school and at home to offer children positive role models of all shapes and sizes. We need to help children to feel good about their own body image and should become an important part of their school and home life.”

‘Dying to be thin: Tonight’ will be aired tonight (5th January 2012) at 7.30pm on ITV1. The poll was carried out by online polling companies Onepoll and Youngpoll.

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Asthma and children

Alan — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:13:18 +0000

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs by narrowing the airways and this can mean that the passage of air into the lungs is restricted. Of all the long-term diseases, it is the most common that affects children but there are ways that it can be controlled and these can lead your child to have a normal and active life just like those children who do not suffer from asthma.

If your child is suffering from asthma then it is wise to make sure that you know the potential causes of asthma attacks. There are many triggers that can be found inside the home and some of the most common include dust mites, pets, mold and second-hand smoke. There are also some foods that can contribute to the likelihood of having an attack.

If you think your home is free of dust mites because you can’t see them you should think again as they are not visible to the human eye. They are microscopic creatures that thrive on things such as pillows, bedding, carpets and stuffed toys.

Generally, these are items that are found in the rooms of children so if your child spends a lot of time inside then it is wise to make sure that everything is washed regularly so that the dust mites are killed. If your child is suffering from severe asthma then it might be a good idea to invest in technology for filtering dust out of the air.

Mould is also something that can be present in the home that can be easily eradicated. Generally you will find mould in moist areas such as in bath materials and on a shower curtain.

This can generally be removed with soap and water and you can prevent it coming back by making sure that your bathroom is well ventilated. Opening the windows is a good step but you can also install an exhaust fan to draw moist air out of the bathroom.

Secondhand smoke can be harmful for anyone but it is particularly dangerous for people to smoke around asthmatic children. If someone in your home as a smoker make sure they do it outside and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your house. If you are out in public make sure that you keep your child away from smoky places, something that has become easier since the introduction of the smoking ban.

Unfortunately, in many cities are pollution is rather common and it can be one of the main triggers for an asthma attack. This type of pollution can include that emitted by vehicles as well as from factories. If you can, try and avoid bringing up your child in an area of high air pollution, if you must spend time outdoors in a polluted environment then insist your child wears a mask to prevent an attack.

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Pet dogs may be able to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Alan — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 05:22:36 +0000

Pet dogs may be able to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The charity ‘Dogs for the Disabled’ are seeking to define what exactly it is about the behaviour of pet dogs that brings about the improvement in the development of children who suffer from ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorders, and also pinpoint those traits that trigger off desirable behaviour.

Dogs for the Disabled has over 20 years of experience in training assistance dogs to help both adults and children who have physical disabilities and also children with autism. Following on from the positive experiences that have come from training dogs for autism assistance, and the anecdotal evidence that is also available, the charity is now collaborating with the NAS, National Autistic Society and the University of Lincoln.

Their aim is to investigate exactly what is with dogs and their behaviour that has brought about such amazing changes in children who have autism, and help them in both their emotional and social development.

The pioneering PAWS (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) research project, funded by the Big Lottery, was established last year and the charity now needs more families to take part.

Since its inception in June 2010, nearly 200 families across the UK have benefitted from the workshops that are run alongside the research project. These workshops provide parents of children with ASDs with the opportunity to come together and share experiences, find out more about owning a pet dog, and explore the potential of training it to help them and their child overcome the effects of their condition through focusing on building solid, positive relationships between the pet dog and child.

Miri, a short-haired Jack Russell, has given eleven year old Josh who has Aspergers Syndrome a greater sense of responsibility and a vehicle to relieve stress. His Mum Suzanne comments: “Most people with an ASD find it extremely difficult to cope with sudden changes and things outside their normal routine, and Josh was no different. Miri has had a great impact on Josh and the functioning of my family. Before introducing Miri Josh never used to like getting ready for school, however now that Miri needs feeding and sorting out in the morning Josh is up and eager to get on with the day. Miri is also who he will talk to when stressed.”

Corri Waitt, PAWS Research Coordinator at Dogs for the Disabled, comments: “It’s very exciting to be involved in a great project that could benefit so many families today and in the future that have children with an ASD. If you are a parent of a child with autism you will understand the challenges and frustrations caused as a result of their condition. At Dogs for the Disabled we believe that pet dogs can help your whole family overcome these challenges and enhance everyday life.

“If you are considering dog ownership, I urge you to think about taking part in the PAWS research project so families with children with ASD can better equip themselves to overcome the challenges of their child’s condition.”

If you have a child aged three to sixteen that has been diagnosed with an ASD and you are considering taking on a pet dog in the next year, or if you already have a pet dog, then the charity would like to hear from you.

The PAWS research project consists of two stages, but you do not have to take part in both. The first stage includes three telephone interviews, conducted before and after adding a pet dog to your family. This is only applicable to families intending on getting a pet dog in the next year. The second stage involves a home visit to video record the interactions between a child with autism and the pet dog.

If you’re interested in taking part in this ground-breaking research project and helping thousands of families in a similar situation, please click on the PAWS link at www.dogsforthedisabled.org

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Obese children are becoming the norm in Scotland

Alan — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:24:41 +0000

A recent study that has been conducted by the British Heart Foundation has shown that children in Scotland who are aged between 11 years old and 15 years old are obese or overweight. The study also investigated whether children were eating enough vegetables and fruit every day and it found that nine in every 10 of them were not.

Health experts who’ve read the study have commented that it shows children are eating an alarming amount of unhealthy foods, including junk food. The study showed that Scottish students were most likely to eat crisps as a snack and this was ahead of fruit and other healthy options.

Andy Carver works with the British Heart Foundation in Scotland and he has recently commented, “Eating a poor diet can lead to long-term health consequences and the five-day rule is something that is seeming to be ignored in the country. Instead of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables, Scottish students tend to be eating sweets, fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate instead of healthier alternatives.

“The previous generation of Scots tended to have a healthier lifestyle than the children today and new predictions are showing that Scottish children are probably going to live several years less than their parents. Much of this is due to increased levels of type II diabetes and obesity.”

It is not just Scotland that has shocking figures, the rest of the UK seems to be indulging in an equally unhealthy diet. Nearly one quarter of schoolchildren had an unhealthy snack more than three times a day. The survey involved over 2000 children and of these 40% said that they consumed an energy drink or a fizzy drink during the course of the day. The survey was conducted in September and is aimed at helping to tackle the childhood obesity problem.

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Child sleep patterns

Alan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:04:39 +0000

There are many reasons why a child or baby will have trouble sleeping. Some of these are because of a change in routine, going on holiday or suffering an illness. There are also some reasons to do with development which might affect how well your child sleeps.

If you find your child is having trouble sleeping then it is important to evaluate their sleeping situation. Your first thought should be about the condition of the room and one of the most important factors here is temperature. If the seasons have changed then it is possible that the ambient temperature in the room has dropped so consider turning up the thermostat or dressing them more warmly for bed.

Changes in the baby’s development, such as learning to crawl will also cause changes in their sleeping routine. Babies will want to crawl at every opportunity once they have learned how to do it and this can disrupt their sleeping. There is also a problem that when babies learn to stand they are not so good at sitting down afterwards and find they need help in doing so.

In order to deal with these changes in your babies sleeping pattern it is important that you don’t change anything too suddenly. Sudden changes in routine can actually worsen the sleeping problems. Remain consistent about everything you do around bedtime and during the night.

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70% of girls unhappy with their bodies

Alan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:56:31 +0000

A recent survey has revealed that around 70% of girls who are aged between 14 and 15 are not happy with how much they weigh, in an attempt to tackle their perceived problem the survey revealed that one third of them are skipping breakfast.

Schools Health Education Unit conducted the survey and also found that nearly 40% of 10-year-olds are also not happy with how much they weigh. As the girls get older it tends to be that they become more concerned over their weight and out of all the 15-year-olds who were questioned it seemed that only a third of them were happy with their weight.

For boys the situation was much less pronounced although around a third of them between your six and ten stated that they would like to lose weight. The data was collected from over 80,000 pupils from years six, eight and ten at schools across the UK. The most shocking statistic with that of third of girls in year 10 had not eaten breakfast on the morning they completed the survey.

A quarter of those who skipped breakfast also stated that they did not have lunch the day before. A scientist from the British Nutrition Foundation,Dr Laura Wyness, has said that “The media has a very strong influence on how young people perceive their own bodies and much emphasis is placed on having the perfect body shape. Unfortunately this means that young girls will become unhealthy in trying to achieve that proclaimed perfect size.

“Many will skip breakfast which is a meal that contains many essential nutrients that are required for a healthy diet. Skipping breakfast is not a healthy option and it can actually impair cognitive function. Some schools have started breakfast clubs to ensure that their students are eating healthily and this has had a positive effect on the education of the children.”

Another study has also revealed, rather unusually, that skipping breakfast can actually cause people to be overweight. This study also reveals that as students age they will tend to be less vegetables and fruit, this is despite recommendations from the government that five portions of fruit or vegetables should be consumed daily. Over 40% of boys said that they did not eat fresh fruit or vegetables every day. The figure for the girls was just over 30%.

The study also showed that 40% of both girls and boys from year six did not eat protein everyday but that they did eat sweets, crisps or chocolate on a daily basis. With regard to water consumption, the survey showed that 75% of girls who were 14 and 15 drank less than a litre of water a day. The government also says that people should drink over 1 litre every day to prevent dehydration. The survey also showed that as children got older they did less exercise.

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Smartphone enabled ultrasound

Alan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:24:36 +0000

After some lengthy delays due to regulations, the smartphone enabled ultrasound is finally on the market, indicating the strength of the emerging need to find a balance between the manufacturers of medical devices, federal regulators and to keep pace with technology.

This device allows professionals in the healthcare industry to perform an ultrasound by using a wand plugged into a smartphone. Even though it received approval back in February from the US Food and Drug Administration, it has taken the manufacturer, Mobisante, a further 8 months to implement the controls from the FDA mandate.

Due to the lengthy gap between the conception and the commercial debut of this mobile ultrasound, Mobisante’s device currently only works with the 2009 Toshiba Windows TG01 phone, and needs a USB 2.0 port for the probe. The result of this is that it isn’t compatible with the latest Android or iPhones.

In July of this year, the FDA released new guidelines regarding the usage of medical applications in the practice of medicine, and basically said that these applications were turning tablets and smartphones into mobile medical devices, which were then subjected to the approval process from the regulatory body.

The main regulatory aim of the FDA is obviously public safety, and this desire is also shared by healthcare professionals and the makers of such devices. However, a lack of cooperation seems to be looming as the laborious approval process is lagging way behind the lighting fast advances that are being made in the mobile technology industry.

The approval process from the FDA has been known to take years for medical devices and drugs, proving to be very costly for manufacturers. The delay in the FDA clearance of this Mobisante device is estimates to have cost them, so far, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In hospitals and other health settings, the use of tablets, smartphones and similar devices in quickly increasing, mainly due to the increases in health costs, as it has been estimated that using mobile medical devices will save clinics, hospitals and private practices an estimated $2bn. This device is a great example, as the smartphone ultrasound costs $7500, compared to over $100.000 for a full sized machine.

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