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More than 8,000 cases of pneumonia in children were reported from January to April
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 1:31 pm
EFE
The highest percentage was reported in departments of the mountains, where low temperatures are more critical respiratory infections in children.
More than 8,000 cases of pneumonia in children under 5 years were recorded from January to April this year in public and private hospitals across the country , reported representatives of the Ministry of Health (MoH). Dr. Rosa Vilca, Directorate General of Human Health MoH, explained that the highest percentage was reported in departments of the mountains, where low temperatures are more critical respiratory infections in children. "The cold in these parts of Peru is a factor that worsens the flu or acute respiratory infections, but not necessarily a producer of these evils, "he said in a conversation with Andina. In the same period, he said, were provided care for over 730,000 children with acute infections such as colds, flu, cough, sore throat, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, among other ills. Vilca added that, compared with the same period last year, there is a trend toward fewer cases of pneumonia in children, but said that everyone, parents and the health sector- should be done to reinforce this downward trend. Meanwhile, Virginia Garay, deputy director of the National Institute of Child Health (insn), provided a series of recommendations for these diseases do not come to complicate the lungs of children. For example said, it is essential that mothers breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life, because in breast milk are protective factors that strengthen the immune system of their children. also indicated that parents must meet through routine vaccination of their children, according to the booklet provided by health facilities. "The younger the child has no vaccine, the greater the risk of having a respiratory illness." The specialist said also that the room should remain ventilated children during the day, to avoid the appearance of stationary virus . Finally asked the parents to feed their children fruits and vegetables, yellow and orange, having vitamin A, and citrus fruits because they contain vitamin C. "These help to fight respiratory infections," he said.