Hazards of Teething Jewelry

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In December 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement that urges parents to discontinue use of teething jewelry for teething infants as well as for children with developmental delays who use this jewelry for sensory stimulation. This jewelry can be either a necklace or bracelet and can be worn by the parent or the child. This statement came about after reports of death and serious injury due to strangulation and choking caused by teething jewelry. It is our recommendation that you gently massage your child’s gums with a clean finger or offer a teething ring made of firm rubber if your child does experience teething pain. With the right tools and information, we can help relieve the pains of teething while keeping your child safe and comfortable.

Reference: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-against-use-teething-necklaces-bracelets-and-other-jewelry-marketed-relieving-teething

The truth about e-cigarettes

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. This is very unsafe for kids, teens and young adults. Nicotine is highly addictive and people who smoke e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke cigarettes or use other drugs later in life. Nicotine can harm adolescent brain development, specifically in relation to attention, learning, mood and impulse control.

Many adolescent e-cigarette users don’t realize they are inhaling nicotine. In a recent study, researchers found that “40% of teens who thought they were using nicotine-free products had positive urine sample tests”. In 2018, it was estimated that 1 in every 5 high school students and 1 in every 20 middle school students used e-cigarettes. Parents, please get involved and talk with your child. If you have any concern about their use of e-cigarettes or getting them to stop and need additional help, please contact the office and schedule an appointment. Your providers at Mercy Christian Health are happy to discuss the gravity of e-cigarette use on your child’s current and future health.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/surgeon-general-advisory/pdfs/surgeon-generals-advisory-on-e-cigarette-use-among-youth-2018-h.pdf

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/vaping-teens-exposed-much-nicotine-tobacco-smokers-don-t-know-n996866

Updates on Screen Time from the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently changed their recommendations for screen time in children. Below are the updated recommendations:

• Under 1 year of age, no screen time

• Rare screen time between 1 and 2

• Less than 1 hour for 2 to 4 year olds

• 5 years and up, less than 2 hours per day

Restricting screen time under the age of five has been found to result in healthier adults. A new study done at the University of Alberta found that five year olds who spent two hours or more of screen time per day were 7.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison to children who spent thirty minutes or less per day.

References:

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/less-screen-time-more-organized-sport-can-help-adhd-bad-behaviour-in-preschoolers-u-of-a-study