Raising a child is a challenging task, especially if you belong to a nuclear family in the UAE and there is no relative to step in when the child is ill. All children are vulnerable to germs and tend to fall sick easily as their immune systems are underdeveloped. While it is considered normal for children to get between ten to 12 infections a year, it can be exhausting for both parent and child. GN Focus brings together a panel of doctors to look at some common ailments children face and find ways to manage them.
Cold and flu
Colds, coughs and the flu are the most common complaints for children in the UAE. “Extreme weather patterns and a melting pot population are the major causes of infections,” says Dr Mandar V. Bichu, Director and Specialist Pediatrician of Mandar Medical Clinic in Sharjah.
Constant use of air conditioners, harsh cosmetics and excessive reliance on packaged and processed foods, which are often full of artificial seasoning, play a role in causing allergies, which can also cause nasal congestion, a runny nose and sneezing.
While a cold is not serious, if it persists after three days and your child’s temperature rises above 39 degrees Celsius, consult a doctor.
As colds and flu are viral infections, they just need supportive treatment, says Dr Bichu. “Giving paracetamol to alleviate fever and aches, warm fluids and rest are the cornerstones of treatment. To improve nose blockage, we recommend nasal spray or drops of normal saline water. Cold mist inhalation can also ease symptoms,” says Dr Bichu.
Flu vaccine
Flu vaccine protects against influenza and is given seasonally. “It offers 60-90 per cent protection against seasonal strains. It is an important preventive measure and is recommended to practically every child who is more than six months old, ” he says.
Strengthening immunity
Homoeopath Brenda Saunders at Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre (DHTC) takes a three-pronged approach when treating children with recurrent respiratory issues. She says eating correctly supports immune function. “Change the child’s diet to 80 per cent natural food and 20 per cent less natural,” says Saunders.
Minimise the use of chemicals. “Antibacterial chemicals damage healthy gut flora and they have a direct effect on our resistance to infection,” she says.
Try supportive treatments that increase resistance to infection and reduce reactions to allergens. These include supplements such as omega-3 oils, vitamin D, herbal and homeopathic medicines, she says.
Food poisoning
If your child has food poisoning, the symptoms will most likely appear between two and 48 hours after eating the compromised meal and can last a day or three. Some common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea and fever, points out Dr Hisham Khalil, Specialist paediatrician, Medcare Hospital. To help ease symptoms of food poisoning, give children plenty of fluid so that they don’t get dehydrated. You can also give them an oral electrolyte solution to restore water balance, says Dr Khalil. “Give them small meals that don’t contain too much fat. Make them rest if they feel tired and visit the doctor if the symptoms persist for further treatment,” he suggests.
Skin issues
Diaper rashes, eczema, fungal infections and sunburn are common skin conditions in the UAE. Always consult your paediatrician to find the correct treatment. Options vary from topical, antibiotic and antifungal creams to mild steroids and moisturisers for eczema and identification of allergens, says Dr Jyothish George, Medical Director and Specialist Dermatologist at Jumeirah Prime Medical Centre. Asha Jones, Ayurvedic Practitioner at DHTC, suggests a natural remedy for rashes. “Make a decoction of neem leaves, Rubia cordifolia root, turmeric and Tinosporia cordifolia and give it to children twice a day,” she says. Preventing sunburn “Apply a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF that provides broad-spectrum protection to exposed skin,” says Dr Nabeela Mahmoud Rashid, Specialist Dermatologist, Medcare Hospital.
Obesity in children
With one in three children being obese in the UAE, according to Unicef, it is a growing concern. Obesity has serious immediate and long-term health effects. Studies have proved that as overweight children are more likely to be obese adults, they are at an increased risk for developing a number of ailments including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. “The aim for weight management programmes may either be weight maintenance or weight loss, depending on the age and stage of growth,” says Dr Mudit Kumar, Consultant Paediatrician and Specialist Neonatologist, Mediclinic Welcare Hospital. Considering that a lack of activity can cause weight gain, parents should encourage children to participate in a variety of physical activities, says Dr Kumar.
It is also critical for parents to make the right food choices for children. They should include the five food groups, fruit, vegetables, milk, protein and grains. However, no matter how much time you spend in planning healthy meals, the purpose will be lost if kids don’t find them appetising. That’s why food presentation for children should always be fun, colourful and creative, says Victoria Tipper, Nutrition Coach, DHTC.
To design a good weight loss programme for children, eliminate refined carbohydrates and sugar, include whole grains and fibre, and control portion sizes, suggests Tipper.
Dental issues
Dental cavities are not just painful. Studies suggest they can also affect children’s speech development. Surveys in the region suggest 80 per cent of children between the ages of five and ten have dental caries. “This is higher than the global average and that is why we have to focus on creating an awareness about better oral hygiene and diet for children,” says Dr Manejah Majeed, Dentist, Prime Medical Centre, Jumeirah.
“Reduce children’s consumption of sugary foods such as chips and candy. Encourage them to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Arrange regular dental check-ups for your child from as early as two years, once all the baby teeth have erupted,” says Dr Majeed. Never allow a child to go to bed with a bottle in his mouth, warns Dr Alex Milgan, Prosthodontist and Implantologist at Mediclinic Mirdif, as it can cause dental deformities. “Start cleaning and caring for your baby’s gums well before the first tooth appears. After each feed, use a clean wet gauze and gently rub the surfaces of the gums,” he says. “Once your child is 18 months old, use a pea–sized amount of low fluoride toothpaste on a toothbrush to clean his teeth,” he adds.
Adjustment-related anxieties
Owing to the transient nature of expat life in the UAE, children often suffer from adjustment-related anxieties. Dr Raymond H. Hamden, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Human Relations Institute and Clinics, says, “Symptoms such as loneliness, tantrums, attention-seeking, and withdrawn and uncooperative behaviour are seldom severe or frequent in the UAE. An expat community with usually a strong network of business council and auxiliary groups, religious places of worship, activities and school programmes, can allay the pain of distance from family and social networks back home.” However, if symptoms persist over a long period of time, consult a psychologist.
Disruptive behaviour
Sudden changes in behaviour, temper tantrums and stubbornness are a normal part of growing up. However, if it persists or becomes unmanageable, seek professional help. Disruptive behaviour can stem from three main sources: situational, which includes the structure at home and school as well as parenting strategies; physiological, which includes brain-based causes, hormonal irregularities, sleep patterns and nutritional deficiencies; and environmental, explains Devika Singh, Psychologist at DHTC. “A thorough evaluation of the child’s health is important to rule out hormonal or nutritional deficiencies. Counselling can be helpful to understand the purpose that the disruptive behaviour serves, as unwanted behaviour often has a purpose. It can also help us uncover other areas of concern within a family or classroom environment,” says Singh. To discipline children effectively, introduce a reward system and practise what you preach. Always praise positive behaviour without overindulging. Also, children learn through observation, so if parents or teachers model inappropriate behaviour, a child is more likely to behave badly.
Digital addiction
The excessive use of technology can not only delay the development of communication skills, it can also impact behaviour and social interaction. Dr Rebecca Steingiesser, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, The LightHouse Arabia, says, “There are developmental consequences for children who miss out on interacting with parents, peers and siblings and experiencing active and imaginative collaborative play.” Parents must analyse what role they want technology to play in their home and set guidelines accordingly. “Set rules and monitor children’s use of gadgets. Screen time can be beneficial when it is interactive and there is adult participation, regardless of whether the child is playing a computer game, using an app, or watching TV,” she says.
