Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.tribune.com.ng/22062008/maternal.html
Pneumonia: Malnutrition and force-feeding put children at risk
Andrew, a toddler, whose mother was in the habit of force-feeding with plain pap everyday, on Tuesday, three days to his second birthday, developed a high temperature, alongside cough as his rate of breathing also increased.
Susan, his mother thought it to be mere cough, as she went to a nearby patent medicine store to get her son one of the available cough syrups.
Few hours after administering the syrup on Andrew, the cough became suppressed but the little boy began to grunt and also had difficulty in breathing. It was at this point that Susan saw a cause for alarm, as this was evident in the way she held fast her son, as she hurried to the hospital.
Kudos to the healthcare workers at the hospital whose prompt attention gave Andrew the reason to live and celebrate his second birthday. Many times, most parents ignore or overlook certain little, little things that could have been put in place to avert certain health conditions that affect their children. Pneumonia would have cut Andrew?s wonderful life and destiny short.
In an interview with Dr. J.O. Okereke of the Paediatrics Department, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on this health condition, Pneumonia, he described it as the acute inflammation of the lung tissues, which is caused by micro-organisms.
According to him, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality in children under five (5) years, as one out of the death of five children under age five is caused by it. Highlighting what poses a child at the risk of Pneumonia, Okereke said malnutrition, either of protein and energy can. Also, vitamins deficiency, especially Vitamin A, which is meant to revitalise the respiratory tract and other mucuousal surfaces.
He also added that non-breastfeeding, either exclusive or otherwise for eighteen (18) months can make a child be at the risk of pneumonia, as breastmilk contains some nutrients that babies need to resist the organisms causing pneumonia. He, however, stressed that inappropriate feeding of a child i.e. force-feeding, can also trigger it.
Another risk factor, according to the doctor, is air pollution, either from indoor or outdoor, especially pollutant emission, for instance, generator fumes, kerosine stove and sawdust.
The issue of overcrowding, as pointed out by the expert, is also a risk factor. In a situation where there is a large family of seven and above sharing a room, as a result of low income, low level of parental education or enlightenment, the children stand the risk of pneumonia.
Cigarette smoking in which the child is passively involved is another risk factor given by the medical practitioner. The age of the baby i.e. infancy and low birth weight are also part of the risk factors because the baby?s airway is just developing and any form of infection at that tender age will cause inflammatory secretions which readily block the air ways leading to inadequate oxygen exchange, leading to death consequently.
The incidence and severity of pneumonia also increases in people with symptomatic HIV infection i.e. people who are already displaying the symptoms of HIV. The reason for this, as put by the doctor is that pneumonia may be caused by opportunistic or uncommon organisms.
Speaking on the causes and symptoms that suggest pneumonia in children, Dr. Okereke said bacteria, viruses, fungal, non-fungal, non-bacteria, mycobacterium are culprits of pneumonia. According to him, if the pneumonia is bacteria caused, it will be preceded by postula rashes on the child?s body. This postula rashes, he said may be the forerunner of staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.
He, however, said if the pneumonia is virus caused, it will be preceded by nasal discharge or non-postula body rashes e.g. measles. On the general symptoms, fever, chills, chest pain, headache, irritability (excessive crying), vomitting, diarrhoea, poor appetite or refusal of food.
While the specific symptoms, according to the paediatrician, include cough, fast breathing (increased respiration rate), difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath) and grunting. He, therefore advised that once you notice any or combination of the above, your paediatrician should be consulted immediately, as home treatment or care is not encouraged. Over-the-counter medications like cough syrup must not be given to the child, except after doctor?s examination and prescription. Unknown to many parents, cough syrup suppresses cough and allow those micro-organisms have their free way to settle in the lung, resulting in pneumonia.
Dr. Okereke said that prevention is cheaper and easier, stating that, with good nutrition (well balanced diet which include fish, eggs, and fruits) exclusive breastfeeding and avoidance of baby formula (if possible), pneumonia can be prevented. Also, he discouraged the common but bad weaning practices like giving a child only plain pap from six months and the act of harmful child feeding (force-feeding), among all other risk factors mentioned earlier. There should also be avoidance of adverse weather conditions, including extremes of cold, heat, dust and smoke.
On a final note, Dr. Okereke said mothers should endeavour to take their children to the hospital for immunization, especially against measles, pneumovax against strept pneumonia and Hib vaccine against Haemophilous influenzae type B pneumonia, as part of the preventive measures.
Pneumonia: Malnutrition and force-feeding put children at risk
Andrew, a toddler, whose mother was in the habit of force-feeding with plain pap everyday, on Tuesday, three days to his second birthday, developed a high temperature, alongside cough as his rate of breathing also increased.
Susan, his mother thought it to be mere cough, as she went to a nearby patent medicine store to get her son one of the available cough syrups.
Few hours after administering the syrup on Andrew, the cough became suppressed but the little boy began to grunt and also had difficulty in breathing. It was at this point that Susan saw a cause for alarm, as this was evident in the way she held fast her son, as she hurried to the hospital.
Kudos to the healthcare workers at the hospital whose prompt attention gave Andrew the reason to live and celebrate his second birthday. Many times, most parents ignore or overlook certain little, little things that could have been put in place to avert certain health conditions that affect their children. Pneumonia would have cut Andrew?s wonderful life and destiny short.
In an interview with Dr. J.O. Okereke of the Paediatrics Department, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on this health condition, Pneumonia, he described it as the acute inflammation of the lung tissues, which is caused by micro-organisms.
According to him, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality in children under five (5) years, as one out of the death of five children under age five is caused by it. Highlighting what poses a child at the risk of Pneumonia, Okereke said malnutrition, either of protein and energy can. Also, vitamins deficiency, especially Vitamin A, which is meant to revitalise the respiratory tract and other mucuousal surfaces.
He also added that non-breastfeeding, either exclusive or otherwise for eighteen (18) months can make a child be at the risk of pneumonia, as breastmilk contains some nutrients that babies need to resist the organisms causing pneumonia. He, however, stressed that inappropriate feeding of a child i.e. force-feeding, can also trigger it.
Another risk factor, according to the doctor, is air pollution, either from indoor or outdoor, especially pollutant emission, for instance, generator fumes, kerosine stove and sawdust.
The issue of overcrowding, as pointed out by the expert, is also a risk factor. In a situation where there is a large family of seven and above sharing a room, as a result of low income, low level of parental education or enlightenment, the children stand the risk of pneumonia.
Cigarette smoking in which the child is passively involved is another risk factor given by the medical practitioner. The age of the baby i.e. infancy and low birth weight are also part of the risk factors because the baby?s airway is just developing and any form of infection at that tender age will cause inflammatory secretions which readily block the air ways leading to inadequate oxygen exchange, leading to death consequently.
The incidence and severity of pneumonia also increases in people with symptomatic HIV infection i.e. people who are already displaying the symptoms of HIV. The reason for this, as put by the doctor is that pneumonia may be caused by opportunistic or uncommon organisms.
Speaking on the causes and symptoms that suggest pneumonia in children, Dr. Okereke said bacteria, viruses, fungal, non-fungal, non-bacteria, mycobacterium are culprits of pneumonia. According to him, if the pneumonia is bacteria caused, it will be preceded by postula rashes on the child?s body. This postula rashes, he said may be the forerunner of staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.
He, however, said if the pneumonia is virus caused, it will be preceded by nasal discharge or non-postula body rashes e.g. measles. On the general symptoms, fever, chills, chest pain, headache, irritability (excessive crying), vomitting, diarrhoea, poor appetite or refusal of food.
While the specific symptoms, according to the paediatrician, include cough, fast breathing (increased respiration rate), difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath) and grunting. He, therefore advised that once you notice any or combination of the above, your paediatrician should be consulted immediately, as home treatment or care is not encouraged. Over-the-counter medications like cough syrup must not be given to the child, except after doctor?s examination and prescription. Unknown to many parents, cough syrup suppresses cough and allow those micro-organisms have their free way to settle in the lung, resulting in pneumonia.
Dr. Okereke said that prevention is cheaper and easier, stating that, with good nutrition (well balanced diet which include fish, eggs, and fruits) exclusive breastfeeding and avoidance of baby formula (if possible), pneumonia can be prevented. Also, he discouraged the common but bad weaning practices like giving a child only plain pap from six months and the act of harmful child feeding (force-feeding), among all other risk factors mentioned earlier. There should also be avoidance of adverse weather conditions, including extremes of cold, heat, dust and smoke.
On a final note, Dr. Okereke said mothers should endeavour to take their children to the hospital for immunization, especially against measles, pneumovax against strept pneumonia and Hib vaccine against Haemophilous influenzae type B pneumonia, as part of the preventive measures.