How can you recognize a serious illness before the first symptoms appear? Why are today's children increasingly facing obesity and anxiety? What are the dangers of gadgets, what household injuries could have been avoided, and how can you teach your child safety rules without prohibitions or intimidation?
On International Children's Day, we explored the most important issues of children's health with Vladimir Aleksandrovich Shcherbak, Head of the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Continuing Professional Education at the Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Honored Doctor of Russia .
We'll discuss the capabilities of modern diagnostics, rare diseases, the impact of the digital environment on child development, injury prevention, and what simple rules really help keep children healthy and alive.
Is it true that some serious illnesses in children can now be detected even before symptoms appear? How do prenatal and neonatal screenings work, and why shouldn't parents be afraid of them?
Yes, that's true. Prenatal and neonatal screening allow us to identify genetic and congenital diseases even before clinical symptoms appear.
Prenatal screening (ultrasound and maternal blood tests) assesses the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, while neonatal screening (testing a spot of blood from the newborn's heel) identifies hereditary metabolic diseases before clinical signs appear.
Parents shouldn't be afraid of them, because these methods are painless and safe, help preserve health and life, identify serious illnesses before symptoms appear, and begin treatment on time.
What rare (orphan) diseases are more common in children today than is commonly thought, and what "silent" signs can parents look for to suspect a problem?
Hereditary metabolic diseases usually manifest between the ages of 3 and 6 months, when children are actively mastering physical and neuropsychological development. If a child was developing well up until this age and then, for no apparent reason, begins to lag behind in development and even lose previously acquired skills, this should alert the doctor and parents.
Why, despite the vast amount of health information available, do today's children still increasingly face obesity, anxiety, and bad habits?
Technological progress offers great opportunities for acquiring knowledge, but it also has a downside. Much information is now accessible through electronic devices, so children spend more and more time in front of a screen. As a result, their physical activity levels decline: they move less and go outside less, exercise less, sleep less, and spend more time on gadgets.
Children largely imitate adults' behavior. Furthermore, many of them become passive smokers if someone in the family smokes.
Are gadgets a new threat to children's health? How does constant screen time affect a child's sleep, psyche, and development?
- Excessive use of gadgets worsens the quality of sleep, reduces concentration, increases anxiety levels, and can inhibit speech development.
It's important to use them wisely. It's recommended to limit gadget use to the information your child needs and to take safety precautions. Screen time shouldn't replace socializing with friends, active games, and walks. Device use should also be avoided two hours before bedtime.
What childhood injuries do doctors call the most "hurtful"—when serious consequences could have been avoided with just one simple safety rule?
- The most preventable injuries include children falling from windows, burns, accidents without a child restraint or seat belt, crossing the street at a red light, and dangerous riding of an electric scooter.
The main rule for parents is to never leave their child unattended and to maintain safety. Personal example plays a huge role – if an adult in a car doesn't wear a seatbelt or crosses the street in an unauthorized area, the child will perceive such behavior as normal.
Why do burns and household injuries most often occur at home, in the presence of adults? What mistakes do parents make most often?
Home is perceived as a safe place, so adults often let their guard down. Meanwhile, it's at home that children encounter numerous potential dangers. The most common mistakes include storing medications in the open, leaving hot liquids and utensils unattended, and failing to supervise a child in the kitchen or bathroom. All of these can lead to serious consequences.
Unfortunately, the risk increases in families where parents abuse alcohol and take drugs.
Is there a certain age when it's okay to stop forbidding a child and start teaching them about safety? What's the right way to talk to children about risks?
- You can start teaching your child safety rules as early as 4-5 years old. It's important to do this in a calm environment, without intimidation, using role-playing games.
If pediatricians had the opportunity to convey to all parents only one rule that could really save a child's health or life, what would it be?
- Avoid self-medication and seek medical attention promptly. Trust your doctors: early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can often help avoid serious complications and keep your child healthy.
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