Child Health & Safety News 7/30: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Recall!

In this week’s Child Safety News: Using Zika virus to treat neuroblastoma in children bit.ly/2uUeAPV

Welcome to Pediatric Safety’s weekly “Child Health & Safety News Roundup”- a recap of the past week’s child health and safety news headlines from around the world. Each day we use social media to communicate relevant and timely health and safety information to the parents, medical professionals and caregivers who follow us. Occasionally we overlook something, but overall we think we’re doing a pretty good job of keeping you informed. Still, quite a bit happens every day – so to make sure you don’t miss anything, we offer you a recap of this week’s top 20 events & stories.

Children’s Health: How to Tell When Your Child’s Appendix Is Acting Up http://bit.ly/2LMOmIE 2018-7-29
Your child has been diagnosed with cancer. Don’t panic. Smart treatments abound. https://hrld.us/2AjHjTl 2018-7-29
Healthy kids with sick sibling may hide emotions https://reut.rs/2mPtrXp 2018-7-29
What Is a ‘Safe’ Sleepover, & When Is Your Kid Ready? bit.ly/2LTbaTV 2018-7-28
Paternal depression almost as common as maternal postpartum depression bit.ly/2LOuSUk 2018-7-28

PedSafe Child Health & Safety News Headline of the Week
Pepperidge Farm Recalls Varieties of Goldfish Crackers bit.ly/2JSb39u

How Should You React When Your Child Makes a Mistake? bit.ly/2K4Rdbi 2018-7-27
Learn what being a champion of compassion looks like with our latest issue of our Kids Who Care newsletter getrevue.co/profile/pediat… (via @revue) 2018-7-27
DeVos Proposes to Curtail Debt Relief for Defrauded Students nyti.ms/2LK5jn0 -7-26
Saturday morning, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is Sensory Friendly bit.ly/2Lepz0V 2018-7-26
15 Things You Should Not Say to Your Teenage Daughter bit.ly/2JPdzxe 2018-7-25
Talking to Your Three-Year-Old to.pbs.org/2JRgIN7 2018-7-25
Video: How to Recognize and Deal with Child Sexual Abuse bit.ly/2LfPjd9 2018-7-25
This Disney Princess Changed My Daughter’s Life bit.ly/2LIYQpi – thank you Disney for Moana – a princess my daughter could relate to! 2018-7-24
‘Shocking’ Rise in Severely Obese Primary School Children in their final year of school in England https://wb.md/2LYlaeI 2018-7-24
Pediatric Sepsis Care Within an Hour Decreases Chance of Death, Largest Ever Analysis Finds http://bit.ly/2uVk0u8 2018-7-24
American Academy of Pediatrics calls for “urgently needed reforms” to fix broken food additive regulatory system http://bit.ly/2AmnzP2 2018-7-23
Mom is Sick. How to Avoid Kids & Dog Taking Charge bit.ly/2LCfSoY 2018-7-23
Tomorrow night at AMC, Mama Mia! Here We Go Again is Sensory Friendly bit.ly/2LgJ5df 2018-7-23

July 31, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment

Child Sports Injuries: How to Prevent and Treat The Most Common

The school year will soon be upon us and with the return of homework and uniforms means the return of sports. 38 million children and adolescents participate in organized sports in the United States each year. Still more participate in informal recreational activities. Although sports participation provides numerous physical and social benefits, it also has a downside: the risk of sports-related injuries. In fact, according to a 2002 report by the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1.9 million children under 15 were treated in emergency departments the year before for sports-related injuries.

These injuries are by far the most common cause of musculoskeletal injuries in children treated in emergency departments. They are also the single most common cause of injury-related primary care office visits.

I. The Most Common Sports-Related Injuries in Kids

Although sports injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to serious brain and spinal cord injuries, most fall somewhere between the two extremes. Here are some of the more common types of injuries.

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, one of the bands of tough, fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint and prevents excessive movement of the joint. An ankle sprain is the most common athletic injury.

A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon. A muscle is a tissue composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by nerve messages, contract and produce movement. A tendon is a tough, fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Muscles in any part of the body can be injured.

Growth Plate Injuries

In some sports accidents and injuries, the growth plate may be injured. The growth plate is the area of developing tissues at the end of the long bones in growing children and adolescents. When growth is complete, sometime during adolescence, the growth plate is replaced by solid bone. The long bones in the body include:

the long bones of the hand and fingers (metacarpals and phalanges)
both bones of the forearm (radius and ulna)
the bone of the upper leg (femur)
the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula)
the foot bones (metatarsals and phalanges).

If any of these areas become injured, it’s important to seek professional help from an orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor who specializes in bone injuries.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Painful injuries such as stress fractures (a hairline fracture of the bone that has been subjected to repeated stress) and tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon) can occur from overuse of muscles and tendons. Some of these injuries don’t always show up on x rays, but they do cause pain and discomfort. The injured area usually responds to rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Other treatments can include crutches, cast immobilization, and physical therapy.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat-related illnesses include:

dehydration (deficit in body fluids)
heat exhaustion (nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy perspiration, normal or low body temperature, weak pulse, dilated pupils, disorientation, and fainting spells)
heat stroke (headache, dizziness, confusion, and hot dry skin, possibly leading to vascular collapse, coma, and death).

Heat injuries are always dangerous and can be fatal. Heat-related injuries are a particular problem for children because children perspire less than adults and require a higher core body temperature to trigger sweating. Playing rigorous sports in the heat requires close monitoring of both body and weather conditions. Fortunately, heat-related illnesses can be prevented.

II. Preventing and Treating Injuries

Injuries can happen to any child who plays sports, but there are some things that can help prevent and treat injuries.

Prevention Basics

Enroll your child in organized sports through schools, community clubs, and recreation areas that are properly maintained. Any organized team activity should demonstrate a commitment to injury prevention. Coaches should be trained in first aid and CPR, and should have a plan for responding to emergencies. Coaches should be well versed in the proper use of equipment, and should enforce rules on equipment use.
Organized sports programs may have adults on staff who are Certified Athletic Trainers. These individuals are trained to prevent, recognize, and provide immediate care for athletic injuries.
Make sure your child has—and consistently uses—proper gear for a particular sport. This may reduce the chances of being injured.
Make warm-ups and cool downs part of your child’s routine before and after sports participation. Warm-up exercises, such as stretching and light jogging, can help minimize the chance of muscle strain or other soft tissue injury during sports. Warm-up exercises make the body’s tissues warmer and more flexible. Cool down exercises loosen muscles that have tightened during exercise.
Make sure your child has access to water or a sports drink while playing. Encourage him or her to drink frequently and stay properly hydrated. Remember to include sunscreen and a hat (when possible) to reduce the chance of sunburn, which is a type of injury to the skin. Sun protection may also decrease the chances of malignant melanoma—a potentially deadly skin cancer—or other skin cancers that can occur later in life.
Learn and follow safety rules and suggestions for your child’s particular sport. You’ll find some more sport-specific safety suggestions below.

Primary Treatment

Treatment for sports-related injuries will vary by injury. But if your child suffers a soft tissue injury (such as a sprain or strain) or a bone injury, the best immediate treatment is easy to remember: RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) the injury (see below). Get professional treatment if any injury is severe. A severe injury means having an obvious fracture or dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain.

Treat Injuries with “RICE”

Rest: Reduce or stop using the injured area for at least 48 hours. If you have a leg injury, you may need to stay off of it completely.

Ice: Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times per day. Use a cold pack, ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice that has been wrapped in a towel.

Compression: Ask your child’s doctor about elastics wraps, air casts, special boots, or splints that can be used to compress an injured ankle, knee, or wrist to reduce swelling.

Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart to help decrease swelling. Use a pillow to help elevate an injured limb.

For Basketball…

Common injuries and locations: sprains; strains; bruises; fractures; scrapes; dislocations; cuts; injuries to teeth, ankles and knees. (Injury rates are higher in girls, especially for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the wide ligament that limits rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.)
Safest playing with: eye protection, elbow and knee pads, mouth guard, athletic supporters for males, proper shoes, water. If playing outdoors, wear sunscreen and, when possible, a hat.
Injury prevention: strength training (particularly knees and shoulders), aerobics (exercises that develop the strength and endurance of heart and lungs), warmup exercises, proper coaching, and use of safety equipment.

For Track and Field…

Common injuries: strains, sprains, scrapes from falls.
Safest playing with: proper shoes, athletic supporters for males, sunscreen, water.
Injury prevention: proper conditioning and coaching.

For Football…

Common injuries and locations: bruises; sprains; strains; pulled muscles; tears to soft tissues such as ligaments; broken bones; internal injures (bruised or damaged organs); concussions; back injuries; sunburn. Knees and ankles are the most common injury sites.
Safest playing with: helmet; mouth guard; shoulder pads; athletic supporters for males; chest/rib pads; forearm, elbow, and thigh pads; shin guards; proper shoes; sunscreen; water.
Injury prevention: proper use of safety equipment, warmup exercises, proper coaching techniques and conditioning.

For Baseball and Softball…

Common injuries: soft tissue strains; impact injuries that include fractures caused by sliding and being hit by a ball; sunburn.
Safest playing with: batting helmet; shin guards; elbow guards; athletic supporters for males; mouth guard; sunscreen; cleats; hat; detachable,“breakaway bases” rather than traditional, stationary ones.
Injury prevention: proper conditioning and warmups.

For Soccer…

Common injuries: bruises, cuts and scrapes, headaches, sunburn.
Safest playing with: shin guards, athletic supporters for males, cleats, sunscreen, water.
Injury prevention: aerobic conditioning and warmups, and proper training in “heading” (that is, using the head to strike or make a play with the ball).

For Gymnastics…

Common injuries: sprains and strains of soft tissues.
Safest playing with: athletic supporters for males, safety harness, joint supports (such as neoprene wraps), water.
Injury prevention: proper conditioning and warmups.

III. Safety Tips for ALL Sports

Be in proper physical condition to play the sport.
Follow the rules of the sport.
Wear appropriate protective gear (for example, shin guards for soccer, a hard-shell helmet when facing a baseball or softball pitcher, a helmet and body padding for ice hockey).
Know how to use athletic equipment.
Always warm up before playing.
Avoid playing when very tired or in pain.
Get a preseason physical examination.
Make sure adequate water or other liquids are available to maintain proper hydration.

Adapted from Play It Safe, a Guide to Safety for Young Athletes, with permission of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Play It Safe in the Heat

Schedule regular fluid breaks during practice and games. Kids need to drink 8 ounces of fluid—preferably water—every 20 minutes, and more after playing.

Have your child wear light-colored,“breathable” clothing.

Make player substitutions more frequently in the heat.

Use misting sprays on the body to keep cool.

Know the signs of heat-related problems, including confusion; dilated pupils; dizziness; fainting; headache; heavy perspiration; nausea; pale and moist or hot, dry skin; weak pulse; and weakness. If your child experiences any combination of these symptoms or doesn’t seem quite right, seek medical attention immediately.

Adapted with permission from Patient Care magazine, copyrighted by Medical Economics.

Please keep your children active and safe and have a great school year.

July 30, 2018 | Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Sat. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is Sensory Friendly

Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment. Tomorrow, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is Sensory Friendly at AMC.

Sensory Friendly Films was born when Marianne Ross, of Elkridge Maryland took her seven year old daughter, Meaghan, to a matinee to see a movie starring one of her favorite actors. She intentionally picked an early showing figuring there would be fewer people there, but when Meaghan saw her favorite guy on the big screen she began to flap her hands, dance, twirl and jump up and down. Unfortunately a few other movie-goers complained to staff, and the manager asked the Ross’ to leave.

It occurred to Marianne there were probably a lot of people who found themselves in similar situations – or worse yet, didn’t even try to go see a movie for fear of the possible outcome. The next day, she called her local AMC Theatre and asked if Dan Harris, the manager, would be willing to set up a special screening for children on the autism spectrum. Dan not only took her suggestions, but made it even more sensory friendly.

The movie auditoriums would have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families would be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there would be no advertisements or previews before the movie and it would be totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing. It was a huge success! On this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.

Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation on Saturday, July 28th at 10am (local time). Tickets are typically $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).

Coming in August: TBD

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Editor’s note: Although Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for some action and rude humor. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.

July 26, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment

Video: How to Recognize and Deal with Child Sexual Abuse

It can be difficult to know whether a child is being abused, as the abuser may be secretive about their actions. In this video, aimed at parents and carers, a child sex abuse consultant from the Marie Collins Foundation explains what to do if you think a child is being harmed, and how to discuss the subject of abuse with a child.

Editor’s Note: Video Highlights

Child sexual abuse is any sexual behaviour directed towards children…by adults, male and female, and by young people themselves.

Child Sexual Abuse Involves Activities Ranging from:

Voyeurism
to rape of children
and now involves sexual behavior online

What Do We Need to Know

1 in 6 young adults reported being sexually abused before age 16 (results of recent UK study)
Very few (~25%) tell anyone due to extensive guilt
Impact can be extensive

Signs to look for

Acting out in an inappropriate sexual way with toys/objects

Nightmares/sleeping problems

Withdrawing or becoming clingy

Personality changes or regressing to younger behaviors

Unaccountable fear of particular places or people

Outbursts of anger

Changes in eating habits

Physical signs

Becoming secretive

How Do We Handle This

If someone makes you uncomfortable around your child, and you suspect someone is abusing your child – call a helpline and talk to someone
- UK: 0808 1000 900
- US & Canada: 800-422-4453
- Australia: 1 800 55 1800
Talk to your child
- adjust the conversation to their age
- try not to act shocked – be reassuring
- try not to interrupt other than to check that the child is alright
- let them know you will keep them safe, but you will need to bring in help – the police or children’s services – to do that.

It’s a big step to make that call and accuse someone and we often hesitate – but if you don’t – know that the abuse will continue and the child or children could be affected for the rest of their life.

Additional UK Resources:

Childline: 0800 1111
NSPCC National Child Protection Helpline: 0800 8005000
Child Exploitation and Online Protection: www.ceop.police.uk/report-abuse

From www.nhs.uk

July 25, 2018 | Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Child Health & Safety News 7/23: Belts on School Buses?

In this week’s Child Safety News: An undercover reporter was trained as a Facebook moderator not to delete certain racist memes and images of child abuse read.bi/2LsxROu

Parents Behaving Badly: A Youth Sports Crisis Caught on Video and shamed on Facebook nyti.ms/2uDzVgw 2018-7-22
Empowering Kids with Play In An Anxious World n.pr/2uDEO9o 2018-7-22
Tips to Stay Sane on a Vacation With Your Toddler bit.ly/2LGCh4o 2018-7-22
These Math Learning Apps for Kids Are Anything but Dull bit.ly/2uFenjA 2018-7-21
Chilling impact of poverty on NZ child health bit.ly/2Lx94ch 2018-7-21
The Negative Effects of Social Media and Screen Time for Kids (Free Course) bit.ly/2LAIBL7 2018-7-20

PedSafe Child Health & Safety News Headline of the Week
Belts or no belts on school buses? bit.ly/2LEwLzD

Pediatric sports injuries bit.ly/2LclM40 Every year, 1.5 million children go down with a serious sports injury 2018-7-20
How to Help Adopted Children Face Their Unique Challenges bit.ly/2L0sXMJ 2018-7-20
Working Moms – 5 Tips for Balancing the Pressures of Work & Family bit.ly/2O0PxCx 2018-7-19
Leading Tennessee Hospital Lends a Helping Paw to Patients and Their Families prn.to/2Nsq1oO 2018-7-19
Greater Manchester schools warning over Tellonym – ‘most honest app on internet’ – is fueling cyberbullying bit.ly/2LqN6aR 2018-7-19
5 Strategies to Conquer Your Kid’s Doctor Phobia Thurs Time Capsule – 07/12 bit.ly/2zQ1iJ0 2018-7-19
Study: HPV Vaccine, Safe and Effective Against Cervical Pre-Cancer bit.ly/2mn3UVk 2018-7-18
How Does Sensory Play Help With a Child’s Development? bit.ly/2JtGff1 2018-7-17
Cyber bullies target girl, 10, in ‘ugly or not’ Instagram poll bit.ly/2JtI23u This little girl put up an instagram acct and within hours became an “insta-target”….she is now on suicide watch. 2018-7-17
Keep Kids Safe Around Water at Summer Parties bit.ly/2L3aaA8 2018-7-17
School Bullying Must Be Taken Seriously | Roots of Action bit.ly/2zI4UNl 2018-7-16
Raising green babies: Teaching our children to love and respect the environment bit.ly/2NfTXo6 2018-7-16
With the supreme court confirmations focusing on abortion, some highly critical child health statistics are going unnoticed bit.ly/2Lhemse 2018-7-16
8 Ways to Boost Our Kids’ Social-Emotional Skills bit.ly/2mj7Lm8 2018-7-16

July 24, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment

Tues. at AMC, Mama Mia! Here We Go Again is Sensory Friendly

AMC Entertainment (AMC) has expanded their Sensory Friendly Films program in partnership with the Autism Society. This Tuesday evening, families affected by autism or other special needs have the opportunity to view a sensory friendly screening of Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, a film that may appeal to older audiences on the autism spectrum.

As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your kid. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.

AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Mama Mia! Here We Go Again as a sensory friendly feature film tomorrow, Tuesday, July 24th at 7pm (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).

Still to come in July: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (Sat. 7/28)