Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Children Paralyzed From Polio-Like Illness

Here's a disturbing story out of California: a report just published in the February 23rd issue of The Journal of the American Academy of Neurology described a new infection that is leading to paralysis and polio-like symptoms in children.

Up to 20 people, mostly children, were described to have come down with a respiratory virus that looks a lot like polio.  Five kids experienced that rapid onset of paralysis to at least one limb.  Others suffered impaired motor function, with some kids experiencing paralysis in all four limbs. The scary part is that 6 months to 2 years out, the limb function in these limbs has not returned, which leaves doctors fearing the damage might be permanent.

The suspected culprit in Enterovirus_68 -- until recently an otherwise benign cold virus.  Scientists have not yet mapped the genome of the virus to try and determine where the genetic mutation took palace.Since the study's publication, health experts say that the number infected now stands at 25 and counting, though they do not expect an epidemic. The cases occurred among vaccinated children and do not seem to be clustered around any one area.  This suggests that there might be some sort of genetic vulnerability in affected children that is causing this mutated virus to affect their nervous system.

We will keep you posted if there are new developments on this unusual virus.  Visit us at http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-health-medical-issues.html and learn about child medical issues.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Things That Happen When You Combine Kids & Superglue

1. Your child might glue their arm to their leg and their leg to their forehead.

2. They could put it in their eyes like eyedroops and glue their eyelids shut.

3. They may affix themselvews to the household pet.

4. They might try to taste it and place it on their tongue or lips, and end up gluing their mouth shut in the process. (You may have dreamed of such a moment a time or two before, but not like this.)

5. They may decide to share the fun with their sister and end up glued together in awkward ways.

All of these things have actually happened before, and as amusing as they may sound, the aftermath is not so much fun to deal with.  So let this be a friendly reminder to keep track of this menacing substance.

Visit http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-safety-info.html for other child safety tips.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Death By Grape Soda

The parents of a five year old girl who died after drinking too much grape soda have been arrested on charges of child abuse resulting in death.  It appears they made the kindergartner drink about two liters of grape soda and water over a two hour period as part of a punishment. This caused brain swelling, and the child died in a hospital shortly thereafter.

Aside from being an example of how bizarre and excessive punishments can end in disaster, this case sheds light on a little known medical hazard; water intoxication.  While we all need liquids to survive, consuming too much H2O in a short period of time floods the system and acts like a poison. Cells can't function properly, organs shut down, then the brain is flooded and swells. (This is actually the primary cause of death when it comes to Ecstasy.  The drug can cause an acute thirst, and people literally drink themselves to death.)

It's a tragic story, but one we hope you will share with as many people as possible.  Like most abusive parents, I suspect this couple loved their child and was simply ignorant of the danger and inappropriateness of their discipline technique.  Let's spread the word in hopes that others don't make the same mistake.

Visit http://www.keepyourchildsafe.org/child-abuse.html to find more information about child abuse.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Better Parents, Better Kids

"We can't really give to our children what we don't have ourselves.  In that sense, my greatest gift to my daughter is that I continue to work on myself.  Children learn more through imitation than through any other form of instruction."
- Marianne Williamson in A Return To Love

Visit http://www.keeppyourchildsafe.org to find materials that help you learn parenting and safety tips.