child health, nutrition & safety

CHILD HEALTH, NUTRITION AND SAFETY

LEELA DEVI A/P SUBRAGASAMEDCC BATCH 2JOHOR BAHRU

Child Health, Nutrition and Safety

ASSIGNMENT 1: CHILD HEALTH

QUESTION:

NAME & DESCRIBE 5 TYPES OF HEALTH ISSUES THAT AFFLICT YOUNG CHILDREN

1. Abdominal Pain (Stomach Ache)

What is it?

Stomach aches are very common in children and there are many causes. Most are not serious and children often get better on their own. Pain can arise from any structure in the abdomen – the stomach, bowel, kidneys, bladder and other organs. Some children get abdominal pain as a result of stress.

What are the symptoms?

Stomach ache can happen suddenly or develop slowly. Severe pain does not always mean your child is suffering from a serious illness. Severe pain can be associated with mild illnesses such as wind pain from drinking too many fizzy drinks, eating too much or cramping from viral gastroenteritis. Also, some serious illnesses start with relatively mild stomach ache.

Your infant or young child may cry and draw their knees up towards their chest when experiencing stomach ache. Your child may also have other symptoms that are associated with the cause of the stomach ache such as vomiting.

When should you contact your local doctor immediately? The pain is severe and persists for a prolonged period e.g. over hour The pain returns frequently and regularly

Your child also has a high fever

Your child also has a rash or appears very pale

Your child has persistent vomiting or vomit that is green/yellow or contains blood

Your child has blood in their poo

Your child is very tired or drowsy

Your child has pain elsewhere

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Your child has swelling of the abdomen or lumps in the groin

Your child has pain when they pass urine

If an abdominal injury has occurred recently

If there is pain in the scrotum or testicle or the groin area in boys

Or if your child does not seem to be getting better

What can you do for your child at home? See if your child will lie down & rest. Encourage your child to drink plenty of clear fluids.

If they don't want to eat don't force them.

Encourage your child to sit on the toilet; doing a poo may help the pain.

Do not give your child any medications without first talking to your doctor

Important Tips Encourage plenty of clear fluids and do not force your child

to eat Do not give your child any medications without first talking

to your doctor

Contact your local doctor immediately if you are concerned.

2. Chickenpox

Description

Chickenpox is a viral illness. The chickenpox virus is also called varicella virus or varicella zoster virus. It is the same virus that can cause shingles. Chickenpox usually starts with one spot, but more spots quickly appear, with fever, headache, runny nose, a cough and feeling very tired. The rash starts on the chest and back, and spreads to the face, scalp, arms and legs. The rash can develop all over the body, inside the ears, on the eyelids, inside the nose and within the vagina, everywhere. The rash continues to spread for three or four days. It is usually very itchy.

Within a few hours after each spot appears, a blister forms. It may appear full of yellow fluid. After a day or so, the fluid turns cloudy. These spots are easily broken and form a scab. The spots heal at different stages, some faster than others, so your child may have the rash in several different stages at once. Some kids breeze through chickenpox with just a few spots. Others have a terrible time with hundreds of itchy spots. In

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families with several kids, it can last for weeks, because of the relatively long incubation period.

Incubation period

A parent doesn't always know when a child has been exposed to chickenpox. Some children can come into contact with chickenpox and do not catch it. But the general rule is that chickenpox will show up about 10 to 21 days after your child has come into contact with an infectious person.

Infectious period

Chickenpox is a highly catching, common childhood disease. Your child is infectious from two days before the rash appears and stays infectious until all the blisters form scabs. Generally, this takes 7 days. Children must stay away from daycare or school while they are infectious. The virus is easily spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs. You can catch chickenpox from clothing that has fresh discharge from the rash of an infected person. Once all the spots have formed scabs, the person is no longer infectious. Your child may go back to school seven days after the first spots appear, as long as the spots are all scabbed over.

Chickenpox is most common in children between the ages of 2 years and 10 years. If one child in your household gets it, it is almost certain that any others who have never had chickenpox will get it next.

Treatment Most children do not need any treatment for chickenpox. Calomine

Lotion can be put on the spots to help relieve the itching. For fever or pain, give your child Panadol or Tylenol. Never give your

child aspirin as this may increase the risk of Reyes Syndrome, which is a rare and serious illness.

Chickenpox can be prevented by immunisation.

Preventing scar

Secondary bacterial infection of the spots can be caused by your child scratching, which can lead to scars.

To help prevent scarring from the spots:

Dress your child in lightweight pyjamas or clothing. Clip your child's fingernails as closely as you can.

Try putting mittens on the hands of very young children.

Try 20-minute baths, three times a day, with baking soda or an oatmeal type bath product in lukewarm water.

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Change your child's clothes and bed sheets daily.

Apply a soothing lotion such as Calomine Lotion.

If your child is fidgety and wants to scratch the spots, your doctor may suggest an anti-itch medicine.

Important Tips Most cases of chickenpox are mild and children get better

completely. Scarring can happen if your child scratches the spots and

they get infected.

For fever or pain, give your child Panadol (make sure the dose of medication is recommended by your child's doctor or pharmacist).

Your child needs to see a doctor if the child has a very high fever or is very ill, such as being very drowsy, breathing fast or vomiting a lot.

3. Fever

What is a fever?

A fever is when the body's temperature is higher than normal.

Humans usually have a body temperature within a very narrow range. Normally a child has a fever when their temperature, is over 37.5ºC. (when taken by a thermometer in the mouth or under the arm).

A child with a fever often has a hot, flushed face. The forehead may feel hot. The child may feel hot, or sometimes even shivery. A child's hands and feet may feel cold, even when the rest of the child is hot. Children with fever are often miserable or tired.

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Is fever good or bad?

Fever is the body's natural response to infection. Raising the body temperature helps the body to fight off the infection, so it is not always necessary to treat the fever.

However, children with fever often feel uncomfortable and unwell and using measures to bring down their temperature can help.

Fevers, especially if they are rapidly increasing, may occasionally bring about convulsions (fits) in children under five years old. These are not dangerous but they can be frightening. Keeping a child’s temperature from getting too high may prevent fits. Although paracetamol and ibuprofen is widely used in children with fever, it is often not effective in reducing fever and does not reduce the incidence of febrile convulsions.

What causes fever?

The most common cause of a fever is infection. Infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as colds and flu, are very common, especially in preschool children. Young preschoolers can have five to ten infections each year. These infections are caused by a virus and get better on their own without antibiotics.

Some infections, like ear infections and some throat infections, may be caused by bacteria. If your child has a bacterial infection, he or she will get better much quicker if antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor.

Fever may also be caused by other factors, such as prolonged exposure to the sun on a hot day.

When do you need to see a doctor?

You need to see a doctor if your child has a fever and:

Your child is very young (six months or younger). Your child seems very sick.

You also need to see a doctor if your child:

Has an earache. Has difficulty swallowing.

Has fast breathing.

Has a rash.

Has vomiting.

Has neck stiffness.

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Has bulging of the fontanelle (the soft spot on the head in babies).

Is very sleepy or drowsy.

Older children who have a cold, but are not very sick, generally do not need to see a doctor with every fever.

Managing a fever

Since a fever is the body's natural response to infection it is not always necessary to reduce a fever. However, if your child is very hot and uncomfortable, you can try these simple steps:

Take off your child's clothes. Give medications to reduce fever, e.g. Panadol or Nurofen. This

medication should be given at the correct dose, so ask your chemist or doctor for the correct dose.

Give your child plenty to drink; children with a fever need more fluids.

Consult a doctor if the fever does not settle or your child is still sick.

Important Tips Most fevers are caused by viral infections. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.

Babies under six months with a high temperature should be seen by a doctor.

See a doctor if your child seems very sick.

4. Nappy rash

What is nappy rash?

It can be common for babies to develop red angry skin in the nappy area, especially in older babies who sleep through the night without a nappy change. The newer disposable nappies now make nappy rash less common. If it occurs it can be treated effectively but it is better to try to prevent the rash developing.

What causes nappy rash?

Wetness from urine and faeces

Wetness is the main cause of nappy rash. The longer the nappy is wet or dirty the higher the risk.

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Thrush

Thrush is an infection which thrives in warm moist areas. It is almost always present in significant nappy rashes and can occur on top of other rashes. It can be treated effectively with cream.

Chemical irritation Urine and faeces contain irritating substances which may lead to a

rash if they are in contact with the skin for too long. Too much soap can irritate the skin and dry it out.

Detergents and soaking solutions can irritate if they remain in the cloth nappy. Wash and rinse nappies well.

Prevention Change nappies as soon as possible after they become wet or soiled

and preferably once during the night. Clean your baby with good quality baby wipes or warm water and a

cloth.

Let your baby have some 'nappy free' time daily, though not in the sun.

Avoid using plastic pants.

Wash and rinse all cloth nappies thoroughly.

After each nappy change, apply a thin layer of protective cream to your baby's skin e.g. zinc and castor oil.

Try good quality disposable nappies.

If a rash develops

See your doctor if a rash develops and persists for more than a few days. It may mean that there is an underlying skin infection present such as thrush or a bacterial infection. Thrush is a fungal infection, which thrives in warm moist areas. It is almost always present in significant nappy rashes and can occur on top of other rashes.

The doctor will usually prescribe a cream to treat the infection.

Difficult to treat nappy rash

When a nappy rash is difficult to treat, it may indicate that there is an underlying skin condition such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis. This needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Important Tips Keep your baby's skin as dry as possible.

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Give your baby some nappy free time

Rinse nappies well.

Use protective creams and ointments.

5. Sore Throat

What is a sore throat?

Sore throats are a very common illness in infants and children. They tend to be more common during winter months. The older child will complain of a sore throat but the younger child or infant may refuse to eat or drink or cry during feeding. If you look at the throat it may appear bright red.

What causes a sore throat?

It is usually caused by infection with viruses and less often bacteria. In younger children (less than two years old), throat infections are usually viral in origin. Antibiotics do not help viral infections.

What to do?

Pain relief is important as reducing pain can encourage your child to eat and drink. Give pain relief as below WITH PRIOR CONSULTATION OF A MEDICAL DOCTOR : -

Paracetamol ("Panadol") using the dose recommended on the bottle.

Your child may find swallowing difficult. Encouraging your child to drink fluids is very important. Warm fluids and soft foods may be easier for your child to swallow.

Throat sprays or throat lozenges are not recommended.

When should you contact your local doctor?

If the symptom of sore throat persists for longer than 48 hours, if your child is drinking poorly for longer than 24 hours or other symptoms develop to complicate your child’s illness.

You need to call immediately if your child has: Great difficulty swallowing. Difficulty breathing.

A new skin rash or bruising.

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Increased snoring when asleep, or stopping breathing when asleep.

Enlarging tender lumps in the neck.

Extreme tiredness or drowsiness.Possibly choked on a foreign object or swallowed a toxic substance.

Important Tips Give pain relief Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids

Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist for more than 48hours or your child develops other symptoms.

ASSIGNMENT 2 : NUTRITION

PROJECT TITLE : ENCOURAGING YOUNG CHILDREN TO EAT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS THROUGH CREATIVE VEGETABLE / FRUIT ART

VEGETABLE ART : ANIMALS & SEA

CREATURES

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Write something on vegetables/fruits/grains found in page 15 of :NUTRITION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Eat a variety of food

Eating a variety of foods is the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Why is this true? Here are some important reasons:

Foods contain combinations of nutrients and other healthy substances. No one food provides all the nutrients needed for good health.

To make sure we consume all of the nutrients and other substances needed for health, we need to choose a variety of foods.

There are no “good” or “bad” foods. All foods can be part of a healthy diet if balance and moderation are achieved.

As you plan meals for children…-

Keep in mind that it is important to obtain nutrients from a variety of foods, not from a few highly fortified foods or supplements. This is because:

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Serving a variety of foods is the best way to provide children with adequate calories as well as nutrients.

Relying on fortified foods or supplements may limit the nutrients in meals served to children.

There are some substances in foods—particularly in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—for which requirements and functions have not yet been established, even though our bodies need and use them. A varied diet will help avoid shortages of these substances as well as others.

Menu Planning Tips for Variety Main Dishes

Plan a different meat or meat alternate for each day in the week. Use a variety of meat or meat alternates, such as eggs, turkey

sausage, ham, beef, low fat cheese, low fat yogurt, peanut butter, refried beans, etc.

Vegetables and Fruits

Serve seasonal fresh fruits/vegetables whenever possible. Include raw or cooked fruits and/or vegetables in salads. Plan to use raw or cooked fruits in fruit cups and desserts. Use a different combination of two or more servings of vegetables

and fruits each day. Include all forms—fresh, canned, frozen, and dried.

Serve a variety of full-strength fruit or vegetable juices such as: apple, grape, pineapple-orange, pineapple-grapefruit, orange, and tomato.

Include foods that are high in vitamin A and vitamin C. Plan to include vegetables and fruits frequently in snacks.

Balance the food you eat with physical activity to maintain or improve your weight

Children need enough food for proper growth and normal development. Calorie need for children differ due to body size, growth spurts and levels of physical activity.

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Obesity in childhood is a growing problem in our nation. A poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the major contributors.

Health professionals recommend that childhood obesity be prevented by increasing physical activity. They also recommend teaching children to eat grains, vegetables, fruits, as well as low fat dairy foods and other protein-rich foods.

ASSIGNMENT 3 : DENTAL HEALTH

TOPIC : THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HEALTH

PROJECT TITLE : THE MIDNIGHT MONSTER

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Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your Child's Teeth

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How can I best care for my child's teeth?

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the build up of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.

Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste. Don't cover the brush with toothpaste; a pea-sized amount is just right (see picture above). Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent stains on their teeth.

What about using fluoride tablets?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Many cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. If you live in an area where the tap water doesn't contain fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily fluoride tablets when your child is about 6 months old. Fluoride is an important part of your child's dental health, but don't give him or her more than the directions call for. If you miss a dose, don't give your child extra fluoride to make up. Just as with swallowed toothpaste, too much oral fluoride can cause stains on your child's teeth.

What are cavities?

Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth.

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Cavities are the most common disease in children. Good tooth care can keep cavities from happening in your child

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods (such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:

Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight)

Has ongoing special health care needs

Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth

Does not go to the dentist very often

How can I help stop cavities?

Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. Family members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss once a day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth.

Does diet affect my child's teeth?

Yes. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.

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Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health. When liquid from a bottle--like milk and juice--stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a condition called bottle mouth. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle, unless it contains plain water. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.

Is thumb-sucking bad for my child?

It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child to a dentist around his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Paediatric dentists specialize in treating children's dental health. You and your child's dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.

ASSIGNMENT 4 : CHILD SAFETY

QUESTION : NAME AND DESCRIBE 2 TYPES OF ISSUES RELATED TO CHILD SAFETY.

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ELECTRICAL FIRE SAFETY

Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.

THE PROBLEM

During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.

THE FACTS

December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.

THE CAUSE

Electrical Wiring

Most electrical fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs, such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home electrical fires.

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In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires.

Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.

Home Appliances

The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and record players.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged

appliance cords immediately.

Use electrical extension cords wisely and don't overload them.

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) standard for safety.

Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.

Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.

TOPIC : CHILD SAFETY

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PROJECT TITLE : ELECTRICAL SAFETY

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CHILD PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

No one likes to think of what would happen to their child if they were involved in an automotive accident, but there are children injured or killed in accidents every day. Proper child restraints and teaching children the correct ways to act around traffic can help to seriously reduce the chances of injury or fatality due to cars and trucks.

First of all, you should make sure that your children know to respect cars and trucks, and that they realize how dangerous they can be. Teach them not to play in or near a street or road, since the driver of a car or truck might not be able to see them in time to stop or swerve. If any toy that the child is playing with gets away from them and goes into the street, have them come get an adult or an older person to retrieve it for them, instead of running after it (possibly into traffic.)

Children should also never play in cars, especially if there's no one around. The car could accidentally be knocked out of gear and begin to roll, or they could become locked in a trunk or an abandoned car. Cars are machines, not toys. When crossing a road, be sure to teach your children the proper way to cross. They should always cross at corners when possible and at crosswalks if they are provided. If walk signals are present, make sure that the children know to wait for the signal to show that it's safe to walk, and that they should move quickly across the street to the other side. Also emphasize that they shouldn't run, since it could cause them to trip in front of cars waiting for a light to change.

If there are no crosswalks or signals, children should learn to check for traffic before stepping out into the road. Look left, then look right, then look left again to see if there are any cars coming. Move quickly to the other side, again being careful not to run and trip. Most importantly, when a child is crossing the street they should hold the hand of a grown-up or older person so that they don't stop or if there is any problem someone will know. Children under 10 years of age should never be allowed to cross a street alone.

When taking a child in a car or truck, be sure to have a properly-working car seat for them to ride in, and make sure that all seat belts are used properly. Children should ride in the back seat when possible, and should be buckled in by an adult. For older children, let them buckle themselves to get them into the habit, but check and make sure that they are buckled in correctly. Make sure that shoulder belts are always worn, and buy a shoulder-belt adjuster for children if necessary so that the belt isn't uncomfortable.

When riding in a truck with no back seat, be sure to disable the passenger-side airbag if the truck is equipped with an airbag shut-off. An airbag deploying can cause serious injury to small children, and can result

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http://www.essortment.com/family/safetykidscars_sivw.htm







in death in very small children. If the truck is not equipped with a shut-off and the child will be riding in it often, visit a local dealer to see what your options are in getting the airbag disabled or having a shut-off installed. Keeping children safe around cars is important, and with a little bit of work can set up safe habits for their whole life. Plus, incorrectly buckling up children in cars is now punishable by increasingly steep fines if you're caught by the police. So buckle up, and stay safe.

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TOPIC : CHILD SAFETY

PROJECT TITLE : ROAD SAFETY

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child health, nutrition & safety

Documents

safety child health

child health question

severe pain

abdominal pain stomach

wind pain

mild stomach ache

chickenpox virus

stomach aches