Preventing the Biggest Health Dangers for Children

Keeping their child healthy is any parent’s number one goal. You have to make sure they are eating well enough and not leading an idle life by being active in the virtual world too much. That is why, along with curating a diet plan consisting of nutritious elements, a parent also has to keep on a tab on the screen time of their kids, which happens to be a growing concern for many. However, in order to combat the latter, parents need to ensure that their kids participate in sports or some sort of outdoor activity.

For instance, if they find their children developing a love for the water, then enrolling them on swimming classes could prove to be a good idea for improving their immunity and overall health. But if public swimming pools are not preferred due to a variety of concerns like cleanliness, then constructing one in the backyard could solve the problem. That said, if parents want to opt for the latter, they should know that home pools also require a lot of tidying up and maintenance work (like Pool Repair at regular intervals) to ensure that they are safe for kids to dive in. However, compared to public pools, these chores are usually easier for the ones built in the backyard, primarily because the latter does not become as dirty as the former (less number of users).

Anyway, coming back to the topic, swimming is one example of the types of activities that can be inculcated into the habit of kids. There are many more! For starters, cycling and yoga could also prove to bear fruitful results! However, parents must keep in mind that exercise alone might not bear the best results in regard to their kids’ health. To ensure that their children are growing healthy, parents might have to also learn about a few more things.

Do the kids have any allergies? Getting a pediatric concierge – is it right for your family? Are they having regular health checkups? The list goes on. So, this is why it’s important to consider the biggest health dangers that your child may face.

The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors various diseases from around the world, and, while many serious illnesses exist in developing countries, children all over the world are prone to some potentially deadly health dangers.

According to WHO, 6.9 million children under the age of five died in 2011 — nearly 800 every hour. Many of those children could have survived if given access to affordable and simple interventions.

The agency specifically examined children from one month to five years of age. The organization reports that pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and measles are the top causes of death. Malnutrition is also estimated to contribute to one-third of all child deaths worldwide.

In a recent report, the World Health Organization explains each cause of death while addressing major risk factors:

Pneumonia: The prime cause of death in children under five years of age is pneumonia. Addressing the major risk factors including malnutrition and indoor air pollution is essential to prevent pneumonia. Parents should take preventive measures in order to prevent indoor air pollution. That can be done by installing air purifiers inside the home. However, one of the best ways to check pollutants could be by thoroughly cleaning the air ducts. You can hire the best cleaning service in your area to do that. For instance, if you are from Maryland, you should contact Pure Air for all your air duct cleaning needs in Maryland. They tend to provide good duct cleaning services in the locality. That being said, pneumonia prevention in babies can also be done with the help of regular vaccination and breastfeeding. Additionally, antibiotics and oxygen are vital tools for effectively managing the illness.

Diarrheal diseases: Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of sickness and death among children in developing countries. Breastfeeding helps prevent diarrhea among young children. Treatment for sick children with oral rehydration salts (ORS) combined with zinc supplements is safe and cost-effective and saves lives.

Malaria: One child dies every minute from malaria. Insecticide-treated nets prevent transmission and increase child survival.

Malnutrition: Worldwide, about 20% of deaths among children under 5 could be avoided if feeding guidelines are followed. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, introducing age-appropriate and safe complementary foods at six months, and continuing breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond.

Experts at the World Health Organization claim that two-thirds of child deaths would be prevented through low-cost interventions.

Preventing Potentially Deadly Diseases In Children

The World Health Organization wants parents to realize that some proactive steps can be taken to increase the chances of a healthy child.

• Mothers should seek out quality care during pregnancy.
• A skilled birth attendant should be available to ensure that proper delivery methods are followed.
• Neonatal Care: Immediate attention to breathing and warmth, hygienic cord and skin care, and early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding.

While we talk regularly about the need for vaccinations at The Parenting Patch, we also recognize and endorse the importance of proper care during pregnancy, during labor, and after birth.

References

What are the key health dangers for children?: http://www.who.int/features/qa/13/en/

Image Credits

Flag of WHO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_WHO.svg

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