Preventing chronic diseases in children

In this essay I detail some of the chronic illnesses afflicting 21st century children and advise how parents can help to alleviate their pain and suffering In 1990, the under-five infant mortality rate in India was 126 per 1,000 live births. Almost three decades later in 2018, it has reduced to 39 deaths per 1,000, according to a report of the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Thanks to advances in medical technology and improved healthcare facilities, children around the world are living beyond their first and more birthdays as against millions of children dying of curable illnesses such as bronchitis, chickenpox, diarrhoea, malaria etc, a few decades ago. With governments launching mass immunization programmes, many chronic childhood diseases have been eradicated and/or prevented. However, advances in medical science have a downside. The number of children with chronic diseases caused by genetic or environmental factors or a combination of both, or prenatal exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke and alcohol surviving into adult life with health complications and disabilities has risen. This places great emotional and financial strain on families obliged to care for chronically ill children and adolescents. In this essay I detail some of the chronic illnesses afflicting 21st century children and advise how parents can help to alleviate their pain and suffering. Respiratory diseases Some chronic respiratory ailments such as asthma manifest in early childhood. Keeping a clean house and avoiding dusty outdoor environments, vaporizing mosquito repellents, cigarette smoke and strategic use of broncho-dilating medication (as prescribed) helps control and recovery in young children. Inhalers and nebulizers are more effective than oral medication. In some children, asthma attacks are aggravated by cow’s milk. Asthmatics struggle with breathing difficulties because of poor coordination of their respiratory muscles. Child asthmatics can greatly benefit from regular steam inhalations, yoga breathing exercises and structured aerobic workouts such as cycling, running and swimming. Also teaching children to play a wind instrument will improve their lung capacity. Martial arts (karate, kung fu, silambam) training also helps alleviate breathing difficulties. Obesity/malnutrition Malnutrition and obesity lead to lifelong morbidity. Childhood and adolescent obesity results in early onset of puberty, diminished stature, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac diseases which can be fatal. Child malnutrition in the midst of plenty is becoming common in middle class India, as children are fed transfat and sugar-filled snacks in lieu of nutritious home-cooked meals. This leads to lethargy, weak bones and anaemia. Diarrhoea Chronic diarrhoea is caused by food allergies, intolerance to milk and wheat, inflammatory bowel disease or parasitic infestation. After clinical tests and diagnosis, immediate medical treatment should be administered to children. If infants are exclusively breastfed for 180 days and then partially breastfed along with semi-solids for one year, they are likely to be resistant to chronic diarrhoea. Diabetes Children and adolescents can suffer from Type 1 as well as Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually follows viral infections, some of which can be prevented with appropriate immunization. Type 2 diabetes is usually the…