May
28
Posted by joever
The first few years of a child’s life are important to form a basis for good education, morality, self-discipline and social integration. Consistency of approach, skills and qualifications of careers have been shown in many studies to improve the chances of a child reaching his or her full potential. However, the choice of childcare can be extremely difficult, even traumatic for parents. Social scientists have recently started drawing on popular folktales such as urban legends in order to uncover some of the complex socio-psychological elements in the decision, which is often more protracted and involved for middle-class parents[1]. Here it is also possible to see the influence of older story-telling elements such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales where children learn about the dangers of allowing strangers into the home.
May
27
Posted by galleca
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start kids on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
One of the best strategies to combat excess weight in your child is to improve the diet and exercise levels of your entire family. This helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.
The Problem of Obesity
Not all obese infants become obese children, and not all obese children become obese adults. However, the prevalence of obesity increases with age among both males and females (Lohman, 1987), and there is a greater likelihood that obesity beginning even in early childhood will persist through the life span (Epstein, Wing, Koeske, & Valoski, 1987).
Obesity presents numerous problems for the child. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, increases the risk of coronary heart disease, increases stress on the weight-bearing joints, lowers self-esteem, and affects relationships with peers. Some authorities feel that social and psychological problems are the most significant consequences of obesity in children.
Although there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, most excess weight is caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little. Children, unlike adults, need extra nutrients and calories to fuel their growth and development. So if they consume the calories needed for daily activities, growth and metabolism, they add pounds in proportion to their growth. But children who eat more calories than needed gain weight beyond what’s required to support their growing bodies.
Far less common than lifestyle issues are genetic diseases and hormonal disorders that can predispose a child to obesity. These diseases, such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Cushing’s syndrome, affect a very small proportion of children. In the general population, eating and exercise habits play a much larger role.
May
26
Posted by galleca
Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.
Typically, the factors that trigger cancer in children are usually not the same factors that may cause cancer in adults, such as smoking or exposure to environmental toxins. Rarely, there may be an increased risk of childhood cancer in kids who have a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome. Those who have had chemotherapy or radiation treatment for a prior cancer episode may also have an increased risk of cancer. In almost all cases, however, childhood cancers arise from non inherited mutations (or changes) in the genes of growing cells. Because these errors occur randomly and unpredictably, currently there is no effective way to prevent them.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of diseases such as cancer with drug therapy. Since the 1960’s the development and use of drugs has significantly improved the prognosis for some types of cancer. Chemo- means chemicals, for most types of cancer chemotherapy will consist of a number of different drugs, this is known as combination chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be given in a variety of ways; Intravenously (IV) -into a vein is the most common, Intramuscularly (IM) -injection into a muscle, Orally -by mouth, Subcutaneously (SC) -injection under the skin, Intralesionally (IL) directly into a cancerous area, Intrathecally (IT)-into the fluid around the spine, or Topically -medication will be applied onto the skin.
Imagine a world without childhood cancer.
No painful chemotherapy treatments.
No emotional stress on children and their families.
No financial sacrifice.
May
25
Posted by galleca
Almost fifty per cent of the developing world’s population – 2.5 billion people – lack improved sanitation facilities, and over 884 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources.
Kids need constant supervision around water — whether the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.
Young children are especially vulnerable — they can drown in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means drowning can happen where you’d least expect it — the sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or small bodies of standingwater around your home, such as ditches filled with rain water. Always watch children closely when they’re in or near any water.
It’s a good idea to learn to swim, and kids older than 4 years should learn to swim, too (check the local recreation center for classes taught by qualified instructors). Don’t assume, however, that a child who knows how to swim isn’t at risk for drowning. It’s important to supervise kids while they’re in the water, no matter what their swimming skill levels.
Invest in proper-fitting, Coast Guard-approved flotation devices (life vests) and use them whenever a child is near water. Check the weight and size recommendations on the label, then have your child try it on to make sure it fits snugly. For kids younger than 5 years old, choose a vest with a strap between the legs and head support — the collar will keep the child’s head up and face out of thewater. Inflatable vests and arm devices such as water wings are not effective protection against drowning.
May
25
Posted by galleca
Babies, and children, have perfect skin: soft, velvety, smooth and blemish-free. So what happens to skin, when children enter their pre-teens and teens? Raging hormones, an unhealthy diet and pollution, all combine to play havoc on the skin’s surface, and your child’s face soon feels like sandpaper and resembles the surface of the moon
A rash is a reaction of the skin. It can be caused by many things, such as a drug reaction, an infection, or an allergic reaction. Many different agents can cause similar rashes because the skin has a limited number of possible responses. Very often the associated symptoms in addition to the rash help make the diagnosis, such as a history of tick bites, exposure to other ill children or adults, recent antibiotic use, environmental exposures, or prior immunizations.
Babies up to 6 months should be kept out of the sun completely.
- All children need regular daily applications of sunscreens that are waterproof and sweat proof. Some of these sunscreens are available in spray form, which is often more convenient for children.
- Depending on the size of the child, approximately one ounce of sunscreen should be applied to the entire body surface one half-hour before going outside and should be reapplied after swimming.
- Parents should also note that if their child has freckles, this is a sign that their skin has sustained some sun damage.
- Moles present at birth need to be evaluated by a dermatologist. In some cases, they may need to be removed because of a possible risk that they may develop into a melanoma later in life.
- Teenagers, who are often very concerned about having a tan, should be reminded that tanning creams are safe and will give them the same look without the harmful rays of the sun.
- Tanning beds are not good for anyone!
May
22
Posted by galleca
Teeth (singular tooth) are small whitish structures found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates that are used to tear, scrape, and chew food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or defense. The roots of teeth are covered by gums. Teeth are not made of bone, but rather of tissues of varying density and hardness.
When to Start Caring for a Child’s Teeth
Proper dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.
Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.
Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in.
Parents and child care providers should also help young children develop set times for drinking during the day as well because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging to young teeth.
May
22
Posted by galleca
According to Wikipedia, tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and often deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, in humans mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and even the skin. Other mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, and Mycobacterium microti also cause tuberculosis, but these species are less common in humans.
When someone with untreated TB coughs or sneezes, the air is filled with droplets containing the bacteria. Inhaling these infected droplets is the usual way a person gets TB.
One of the most dreaded diseases of the 19th century, TB was the eighth leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age during the 1920s. As the general standard of living and medical care improved in the United States, the incidence of TB decreased. By the 1960s, it wasn’t even in the top 10 causes of death among children of any age group.
But TB is making a comeback in the United States today — particularly among the homeless, those in prison, and those rendered susceptible because of HIV infection.
Signs and Symptoms
In older infants and children, primary pulmonary tuberculosis (the first infection with the tuberculosis bacteria) usually produces no signs or symptoms, and a chest X-ray shows no signs of infection. Rarely, there may be enlargement of the lymph nodes and possibly some coughing.
In most cases, only a tuberculin skin test (used to figure out if someone has been infected by the tuberculosis bacteria) is positive, indicating that the child has been infected. Children with a positive tuberculin test, even if they show no disease, will usually need to receive medication.
This primary infection usually resolves on its own as a child develops immunity over a 6- to 10-week period. But in some cases, it can progress and spread all over the lungs (called progressive tuberculosis) or to other organs. This causes signs and symptoms such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and cough.
Another type of infection is called reactivation tuberculosis. Here, the primary infection has resolved, but the bacteria are dormant, or hibernating. When conditions become favorable (for instance, a lowered immunity), the bacteria become active. Tuberculosis in older kids and adults may be of this type. The most prominent symptom is a persistent fever, with sweating during the night. Fatigue and weight loss may follow. If the disease progresses and cavities form in the lungs, the person may experience coughing and the production of saliva, mucus, or phlegm that may contain blood.
Treatment
A doctor may recommend hospitalization for the initial evaluation and treatment of TB, especially if:
* the child is a young infant
* there are severe drug reactions
* there are other diseases along with TB
However, most kids with tuberculosis can be treated as outpatients and cared for at home. The treatment is usually in the form of oral medications. In some cases, three or four drugs may be prescribed. Even though treatment may require months to complete, it’s vitally important that the full course of medications be taken in order for tuberculosis to be cured.
Vigrx VigRx is a prescription drug, which contains no side effects, along with being natural and safe.
May
14
Posted by galleca
The brain is one of the very first things to develop in an embryo, even before other organs have developed. By the time your child is born, he has a fully developed brain, although parts of his brain may not reach full maturity until adolescence. In fact, when he is born, his brain contains over 1 billion brain cells! Interestingly, how your child’s brain develops has a lot to do with the environment that he is in.
What are the parts of the brain?
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, and is divided into four different lobes, each of which controls different cognitive functions. The temporal lobe is the part of the brain that is responsible for language, hearing and smell. Memories are also stored in this part of the brain. The frontal lobe controls fine motor skills and becomes more active as speech develops. The parietal lobe controls space and perception and the occipital lobe is responsible for interpreting visual stimuli. All parts of the cerebrum continue to mature throughout childhood, and neural connections can continue to be made even into late adulthood.
The brain stem is the part of the brain that controls very basic bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing and reflexes. This part of your child’s brain is fully developed at birth. The thalamus is responsible for delivering signals from the bodies sensory organs to the cerebrum, where it will be processed. The basal ganglia controls voluntary movements such as clapping, walking or waving. The brain also contains the limbic system, which is responsible for unconscious behavior. The hypothalamus gland, which although located in the brain, is actually part of the endocrine system, controls some of the automatic body functions.
How do your interactions with your child influence brain development?
Recent research is beginning to indicate that a child’s environment has a large impact on how his brain will develop. For example, if you spend a lot of time reading and talking to your child, neurons will make connections in the part of the brain that controls language, basically strengthening it. A child is born with the brain cells that give him the capacity to develop any number of skills. However, if the neurological connections are not being made, the brain undergoes a natural pruning process, which basically does away with unused circuits. The good news is that this pruning process allows the remaining circuits to become more efficient. If you want your child’s brain to become developed in a variety of areas, you must provide adequate stimulation in the areas of physical activity, music, language and spatial reasoning, among other areas. Begin as soon as your child is born. A child’s brain undergoes an enormous amount of development during the first year.
How can I make sure that my child’s brain gets enough stimulation to develop properly?
During the first two months, you can stimulate his eyesight by using mobiles and letting him see and respond to your facial expressions. Also talk to your baby frequently. He is learning language at this point, although it will be many months before he talks. Also touch your baby, and play gentle games, such as softly bicycling his legs. As your baby gets older, he will be ready to play with and respond to simple toys. Let him practice grabbing a toy that you are holding, and play simple games of peek-a-boo, which teaches object permanence. Continue to have a high level of interaction with him. Did you know that levels of parental interaction with infants and young children are directly related to IQ? Of course genetic factors also play a role, but you cannot underestimate your importance in your child’s development. After six months of age, make sure that your child has plenty of opportunities to build his strength and to practice crawling and walking. You will also want to label objects when you are out, and talk about them. Take lots of pictures, put them into a photo album and use them as a bedtime story occasionally. Talking about past experiences stimulates your child’s memory. As your child gets older, give him plenty of time to learn new information, and make sure that learning is fun. Provide plenty of opportunities for him to interact with his peers, and expose him to as many interesting situations, such as trips to the zoo, as are feasible. You also want to make sure that you have plenty of age appropriate toys that focus on a variety of skills. For example, puzzles build spatial skills, while blocks can build both spatial skills and fine motor skills.
What stimulation should be avoided?
Keep in mind that negative experiences also influence the development of your child’s brain. This is one reason why you should be especially careful when choosing a caregiver. If a child is exposed to abuse, neglect or violence at an early age, the experience can literally affect how his brain becomes wired, just as hearing the positive sound of the language you speak to him can also cause these changes in a good way. You want the neural connections that your young child makes to be beneficial ones. A stressful environment can cause a young child’s body to produce too much cortisol, which if constantly produced, will remain elevated, causing the child’s brain to have a smaller cerebral cortex. Cortisol also affects the limbic system and can cause him to be unable to control emotions well, which can lead to behavioral problems. A high level of stress and the associated elevated cortisol levels can also cause memory problems.
As a parent, you will want to provide as many stimulating activities as possible, while making sure that your child is not exposed to overly stressful situations. This will promote optimal brain development. You, the parent, have more control over your child’s early learning experiences than you probably imagine! Make the most of it, and not only will your child experience the advantage of having an easier time later in life with cognitive tasks, but you will be forming the foundation for an excellent relationship with your child.
May
13
Posted by galleca
Sores and other problems in and around your child’s mouth can be painful and worrisome. Follow this chart for more information about common causes of mouth problems in children.
From Mouth Wipes to Brushing and Flossing
As with any other part of your child’s body, your child’s mouth needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it healthy, working properly and looking good. Research is now showing that the health of your mouth affects the health of the rest of your body, too. If your child’s mouth is clean and healthy, the rest of his or her body will be better off too. Oral hygiene needs to start early. This means taking action even before your child gets his or her first tooth. Wipe your child’s tongue, gums and cheeks at least once a day, before bed or nap time, with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger. You can also use a terrycloth finger cot. This fits over a finger and is made for this purpose. Most drugstores carry them.
It’s best if you can look into your child’s mouth while you clean it. Lay your baby in a bassinette and stand behind his or her head as you use the wipe. As your child grows, sit down and have your child stand or kneel between your legs, facing away from you. Then, your child can tip his or her head back into your lap.
While you are looking in your child’s mouth, keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t appear normal. This could be white or red spots in the mouth, bulges that you can’t identify, or other changes. Ask your child’s dentist about anything you see.
As soon as the first teeth appear, it is especially important to clean along the gums around the teeth. This is where plaque is most likely to cause cavities and inflamed gums. Plaque is a sticky white or yellowish substance that contains bacteria. Wiping is a good way to clean your child’s mouth until the first few teeth begin to show. Then it is best to switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush. Use a very small smear of toothpaste.
Your child’s teeth don’t touch each other when they first come out. There is space between them. But as your child grows, the back teeth will move into position against one another. This can occur as early as age 3 or as late as age 6. When these back teeth start touching each other, it’s time to start flossing your child’s teeth. Flossing is essential because toothbrush bristles cannot reach between the baby teeth. This makes the areas between teeth at high risk for cavities
Brushing
Young children can’t brush and floss their own teeth well. Parents should be involved in brushing and flossing until a child is 7 or 8 years old. However, children should be encouraged to participate in brushing as soon as they can hold a toothbrush. Young children learn best by watching and copying their parents’ actions. They will be more interested in learning to brush and floss when they see their parents doing so every day.
The most important time to clean your child’s mouth is just before bedtime. While we sleep, saliva flow slows down and the mouth provides less protection against cavities than it does during the day. First, let your child brush his or her own teeth and enjoy this experience. Don’t worry about how well he or she does it. Then, brush your child’s teeth a second time.
Have your child kneel or sit in front of you and tilt his or her head back in your lap. Gently pull one cheek aside with your finger so you can see the outside surface of the upper back teeth.
Remember that how well you brush your child’s teeth is just as important as how long you brush. Once you are comfortable with a set brushing pattern, you will be able to do it quickly, even if your child is not in the mood or being fussy. Follow these five steps:
1. Upper/outer: Place the toothbrush against the outside surface of the very back tooth on one upper side. Angle the toothbrush up toward the gums. Gently brush the area where the gums and tooth meet. Brush each tooth as you move the brush around the outside of all the upper teeth to the last tooth on the other side.
2. Lower/outer: Move to the last back tooth on one side on the bottom. Brush the outside of each tooth as you move around to the other side.
3. Lower/inner: Move to the inside (tongue side) of the lower teeth and brush each tooth as you move around from one side to the other.
4. Upper/inner: Move the brush to the inside of the upper teeth and move from one side to the other as you brush.
5. Brush the biting surfaces of back teeth on the top and bottom.
Your child might protest at first, but over time, you’ll both become comfortable with this routine. Then, careful brushing will be a part of the bedtime ritual.
The right brush can sometimes make all the difference. Use a brush that is designed for your child’s age. The smaller the brush head, the easier it is to see where you are going. It’s also easier to aim the bristles along the gum line and to clean thoroughly. Use a soft-bristled brush. Don’t scrub: Brush gently! Scrubbing can damage tissues and could make brushing uncomfortable for your child. Never brush your child’s teeth with a toothbrush that has been used by someone else. This can transfer bacteria and viruses into your child’s mouth that could cause disease, including cavities.
Flossing
Once any two of your child’s teeth touch each other, it’s time to start flossing. Flossing helps to prevent cavities by removing plaque and food particles caught between teeth. It should be an important part of your child’s dental routine. Floss is available in many different sizes, coatings, flavors and forms. If you have trouble using the floss wrapped around your fingers, you can purchase floss holders in most drugstores.
Floss after brushing. This way, there is still some toothpaste in the mouth. The floss will spread it between the teeth.
To floss without using a floss holder:
1. With a younger child, lean the child’s head back into your lap so you can see into his or her mouth. An older child can stand in front of you (facing away) and tip his or her head back against your chest.
2. Take about 18 inches of dental floss and wrap one end around each of your middle fingers until there is about 4 inches of floss left.
3. Using your thumbs and index fingers as guides, gently slide the floss between two teeth, using a saw-like motion. Once at the gum line, wrap the floss to form a C shape against one of the two teeth. Slide it up and down against that tooth.
4. Next, wrap the floss against the other tooth and repeat the up-down motion.
Toothpaste
The fluoride in toothpaste does more to prevent cavities than the brushing itself. Start using fluoride toothpaste when your child is 6 months old. You can use any toothpaste that your child likes. Child and adult toothpastes contain the same amount of fluoride. Use only a small amount of toothpaste. More is not better. Too much toothpaste makes it harder to see what you are doing when you brush. It also puts your child at risk of developing white or brown spots on his or her permanent teeth (called fluorosis). Use a dab of toothpaste no bigger than your child’s pinky fingernail. As your child grows, so will the fingernail, so you will use a little more as your child gets older. Be sure the toothpaste has not reached its expiration date. This will give your child the full benefit of the fluoride.
May
11
Posted by galleca
Child guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parent’s duty to care for the child.
Following ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in most countries, terms such as “residence” and “contact” (known as “visitation” in the United States) have superseded the concepts of “custody” and “access”. Instead of a parent having “custody” of or “access” to a child, a child is now said to “reside” or have “contact” with a parent. For a discussion of the new international nomenclature, see parental responsibility.
Custody of children is one of the most intense aspects in family litigation. A custody battle could be an independent case or a mere incident in an annulment/separation case. Here are some basic matters relating to custody.
In custody disputes, what is the paramount criterion?
The paramount criterion in custody disputes is the welfare and well-being of the child, or the best interest of the child. The court, in arriving at its decision as to whom custody of the minor should be given, must take into account the respective resources and social and moral situations of the contending parents. Nevertheless, this primordial rule can override the rights of one or both parents over their children.
What is the general rule as to custody over children?
The general rule is that a child under seven years of age shall not be separated from his mother, which is based on the basic need of a child for his mother’s loving care. Article 213 of the Family Code provides that “[n]o child under seven years of age shall be separated from the mother, unless the court finds compelling reasons to order otherwise.” This is more pronounced in case of illegitimate children, as the law expressly provides that illegitimate children shall be under the parental authority of their mother.
Is this rule absolute?
This rule is not absolute. Even a mother may be deprived of the custody of her child who is below seven years of age for “compelling reasons.” Instances of unsuitability are neglect, abandonment, unemployment and immorality, habitual drunkenness, drug addiction, maltreatment of the child, insanity, and affliction with a communicable illness. Negligent and careless failure to perform the duties of parenthood is a significant element of abandonment, regardless of actual intention. A strong basis for a finding of the parent’s abandonment of his or her child is found in the case where the parent has left the child permanently or indefinitely in the care of others, given it to another, or surrendered it entirely.
I left my child to a relative, even signing a document to such effect. Am I barred from taking back my child?
Parental authority and responsibility are inalienable and may not be transferred or renounced except in cases authorized by law. The right attached to parental authority, being purely personal, the law allows a waiver of parental authority only in cases of adoption, guardianship and surrender to a children’s home or an orphan institution. When a parent entrusts the custody of a minor to another, such as a friend or godfather, even in a document, what is given is merely temporary custody and it does not constitute a renunciation of parental authority. Even if a definite renunciation is manifest, the law still disallows the same.
The rule is that children older than 7 years old are allowed to state his preference. Is the court bound by such preference?
While such choice is given respect, the court is not bound by that choice. The court may exercise its discretion by disregarding the child’s preference should the parent chosen be found to be unfit, in which instance, custody may be given to the other parent, or even to a third person.
