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October 2009 Health Tips from Riley Hospital for Children
10/20/2009
It's OK for kids to worry. Riley Hospital for Children clinical psychologist Michele Thorne, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Indiana University School of Medicine, says parents need to teach their children that it's okay to worry and that when they are worried they should turn to a parent for advice. The frontal lobe, the part of the brain that handles planning, attention, concentration and reasoning, isn't fully developed until late adolescence or early adulthood. Or, as Dr. Thorne puts it, the "main onboard computer" which directs how an individual makes decisions isn't fully programmed in children and teens. "It's best to talk with your children frequently about what is going on and to explain how family members -- and possibly others -- are dealing with it."
Don't stop a closing elevator door. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children. Joseph O'Neil, M.D., a Riley Hospital physician and associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, encourages parents to give young and not so young children advice about riding elevators and escalators. Nearly 30,000 hospital emergency department visits by children were made between 1990 and 2004 for elevator injuries. Dr. O'Neil suggests parents advise their kids not to stick their arms or legs into the elevator to stop the door or doors from closing. Even better, he says, kids should be encouraged to walk up or down the stairs whenever possible.
No horseplay on escalators. About 2,000 children are treated in United States hospital emergency departments every year for escalator-related injuries. Escalator falls accounted for more than half of the injuries, with leg entrapment running second. Joseph O'Neil, M.D., a Riley Hospital physician and associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine suggests moms advise their kids not to play or fool around on an escalator as they could hurt themselves or a fellow rider, many of whom are actually older adults who could be seriously enjoyed by an escalator fall.
Disregard "the five second rule". Riley Hospital for Children pediatrician Michael McKenna, M.D., an Indiana University School of Medicine assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, advises parents to teach their kids to disregard "the five second rule" -- a rule cited by kids everywhere. While kids can't live in a germ free environment and in fact some bacteria are good for kids, moms need to make sure that kids understand that food or gum or toys that fall on the floor or onto the sidewalk, or into the grass should not be put into their mouth because they can pick up many "nasty" things.
Ugh! Don't let your kids kiss the dog on the lips. Riley Hospital for Children physician Rachel Vreeman, M.D., Indiana University assistant professor of pediatrics, says mothers should let their kids know that the old adage that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans is a myth. Moms should encourage their children not to exchange kisses with their pets (or anyone else's animal) and to avoid dog saliva. She also suggest that parents remind their kids that dogs sometimes put their tongues in very unappealing places -- another reason to avoid contact.
Counsel your child to resist the urge to crack his knuckles. Riley Hospital for Children pediatrician Aaron Carroll, M.D., Indiana University School of Medicine associate professor of pediatrics, suggests that parents nip knuckle cracking in the bud and tell their children that cracking their knuckles can lead to swollen hands, reduced hand strength and possible finger injuries. But he says that there is no evidence that finger cracking causes arthritis.
CONTACT:
Margie Smith-Simmons
317.962.4085
msmithsi@clarian.org
About Riley Hospital for Children As one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit Riley Hospital for Children for more information.
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