Health Trends for Kids 2009
Developments Focus on Improving the Well-being of Youngsters
Jan 3, 2009
The end of 2008 saw indications of health trends and developments for kids and adolescents that are expected to be carried into 2009. The hope is that the results will prevent serious illnesses and perhaps disabilities in adulthood. (Fox News MarketWatch, 12/30/2008)
Some pediatricians are questioning whether diagnostic tests, antibiotics and over-the-counter cough and cold preparations for young children should be automatically prescribed. Now being considered are the long term effects, the effectiveness or both. There are questions about some medical practices that need further research.
CT Scans
In using CT Scans, there are some concerns about whether the use of high-resolution technology could result in higher cancer rates across the population over time. Americans receive an estimated 62 million CT scans each year, four million of which are performed on children. Kids absorb more radiation that adults and have more years of life in which they cold develop radiation-induced cancer. Physicians are becoming more selective in using the scans. (New England Journal of Medicine, 11/29/07)
Vitamin D
There is a new recommendation to increase daily vitamin D intake among infants, children and teenagers. It is now advised that children receive 400 IU of vitamin D instead of the just 200 IU beginning in the first few days of life, to better protect them from such serious diseases as rickets. It is now believed that adequate vitamin D during childhood can help lower the risk of osteoporosis later in life because it sets the stage for good calcium absorption. (American Academy of Pediatrics 10/2008)
Toy Safety
Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008 to rectify the problems such as lead in toys. The law gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission a substantial authority to require companies to do more testing and practice due diligence. The law extends the new standards to every business in the distribution chain, including manufacturers, retailers and importers. The Commission is now waiting to receive the necessary funding to carry out its authority.
Over-the-Counter Cold Medicines
The American Academy of Pediatrics maintains that kids' over-the-counter cough and cold preparations are not effective at any age. In October, 2008, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the trade group that make over-the-counter drugs, started putting warning labels on nonprescription cough and cold medicines, saying they cannot be in children younger than four years old. The American Academy of Pediatricians maintains that kids' over-the-counter cough and cold preparations are not effective at any age. The treatment recommended to treat children's colds is keeping them well-hydrated, cleaning out their noses and running a vaporizer.
SIDS Prevention
A recent study showed that having a fan circulating air in an infant's bedroom lowered the risk of SIDS 72% compared with those who slept in a room without it. The research was based on interviews with 180 mothers of babies who had died of SIDS and 312 mothers whose infants did not die of it., according to Dr. De-Kun Li, principal investigator and a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research. Installing a fan is no substitute for putting babies to sleep on their backs, using firm mattresses and avoiding soft bedding. (Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine 10/2008)
Childhood Obesity
Obesity in children continues to be a serious problem among doctors and public health experts. It can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, increases the risk of heart disease and some kinds of cancer; they believe this will be the first generation of kids to have a lower life expectancy than their parents. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for those age two to five, obesity in children has increased from to 12.4% between 2003 and 2006 from 5% in the 1970s. In middle childhood, it has increased from 6.5% to 17%, with a similar jump to 17.6% from 5% for those age 12 to 19. Parents are advised to increase the number of meals they eat together even by one a week, swap large dinner plates for small ones, encourage kids to get more sleep and exercise, and reduce the number of times they eat fast-food meals.
Health Insurance for Children
According to the U.S Census Bureau, in 2007, there were 8.1 million children under 18 years old without health insurance. There is hope that the next Congress and incoming President will make an effort to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program and make health insurance for kids compulsory.
There are still many challenges facing parent and doctors in regard to children's health. Their focus will include changes in lifestyles and an increasing awareness of research which may lead to better health late in life.
 |
