CHILD HEALTH,

NUTRITION AND
SAFETY
LEELA DEVI A/P SUBRAGASAM
EDCC BATCH 2
JOHOR BAHRU

Child Health, Nutrition and Safety

ASSIGNMENT 1: CHILD HEALTH

QUESTION:
NAME & DESCRIBE 5 TYPES OF HEALTH
ISSUES THAT AFFLICT YOUNG
CHILDREN
1. Abdominal Pain (Stomach Ache)
What is it?
Stomach aches are very common in children and there are many causes.
Most are not serious and children often get better on their own. Pain can
arise from any structure in the abdomen the stomach, bowel, kidneys,
bladder and other organs. Some children get abdominal pain as a result of
stress.
What are the symptoms?
Stomach ache can happen suddenly or develop slowly. Severe pain does not
always mean your child is suffering from a serious illness. Severe pain can
be associated with mild illnesses such as wind pain from drinking too many
fizzy drinks, eating too much or cramping from viral gastroenteritis. Also,
some serious illnesses start with relatively mild stomach ache.
Your infant or young child may cry and draw their knees up towards their
chest when experiencing stomach ache. Your child may also have other
symptoms that are associated with the cause of the stomach ache such as
vomiting.
When should you contact your local doctor immediately?

The pain is severe and persists for a prolonged period e.g. over hour
The pain returns frequently and regularly

Your child also has a high fever

Your child also has a rash or appears very pale

Your child has persistent vomiting or vomit that is green/yellow or

contains blood

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Your child has blood in their poo

Your child is very tired or drowsy

Your child has pain elsewhere

Your child has swelling of the abdomen or lumps in the groin

Your child has pain when they pass urine

If an abdominal injury has occurred recently

If there is pain in the scrotum or testicle or the groin area in boys

Or if your child does not seem to be getting better

What can you do for your child at home?

See if your child will lie down & rest.

Encourage your child to drink plenty of clear fluids.

If they don't want to eat don't force them.

Encourage your child to sit on the toilet; doing a poo may help the
pain.

Do not give your child any medications without first talking to your
doctor

Important Tips

Encourage plenty of clear fluids and do not force your child to eat
Do not give your child any medications without first talking to
your doctor

Contact your local doctor immediately if you are concerned.

2. Chickenpox
Description
Chickenpox is a viral illness. The chickenpox virus is also called varicella
virus or varicella zoster virus. It is the same virus that can cause shingles.
Chickenpox usually starts with one spot, but more spots quickly appear,
with fever, headache, runny nose, a cough and feeling very tired. The rash
starts on the chest and back, and spreads to the face, scalp, arms and legs.
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The rash can develop all over the body, inside the ears, on the eyelids, inside
the nose and within the vagina, everywhere. The rash continues to spread
for three or four days. It is usually very itchy.
Within a few hours after each spot appears, a blister forms. It may appear
full of yellow fluid. After a day or so, the fluid turns cloudy. These spots are
easily broken and form a scab. The spots heal at different stages, some
faster than others, so your child may have the rash in several different
stages at once. Some kids breeze through chickenpox with just a few spots.
Others have a terrible time with hundreds of itchy spots. In families with
several kids, it can last for weeks, because of the relatively long incubation
period.
Incubation period
A parent doesn't always know when a child has been exposed to chickenpox.
Some children can come into contact with chickenpox and do not catch it.
But the general rule is that chickenpox will show up about 10 to 21 days
after your child has come into contact with an infectious person.
Infectious period
Chickenpox is a highly catching, common childhood disease. Your child is
infectious from two days before the rash appears and stays infectious until
all the blisters form scabs. Generally, this takes 7 days. Children must stay
away from daycare or school while they are infectious. The virus is easily
spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs. You can catch
chickenpox from clothing that has fresh discharge from the rash of an
infected person. Once all the spots have formed scabs, the person is no
longer infectious. Your child may go back to school seven days after the first
spots appear, as long as the spots are all scabbed over.
Chickenpox is most common in children between the ages of 2 years and 10
years. If one child in your household gets it, it is almost certain that any
others who have never had chickenpox will get it next.
Treatment

Most children do not need any treatment for chickenpox. Calomine

Lotion can be put on the spots to help relieve the itching.
For fever or pain, give your child Panadol or Tylenol. Never give your
child aspirin as this may increase the risk of Reyes Syndrome, which
is a rare and serious illness.

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Chickenpox can be prevented by immunisation.

Preventing scar
Secondary bacterial infection of the spots can be caused by your child
scratching, which can lead to scars.
To help prevent scarring from the spots:

Dress your child in lightweight pyjamas or clothing.

Clip your child's fingernails as closely as you can.

Try putting mittens on the hands of very young children.

Try 20-minute baths, three times a day, with baking soda or an

oatmeal type bath product in lukewarm water.

Change your child's clothes and bed sheets daily.

Apply a soothing lotion such as Calomine Lotion.

If your child is fidgety and wants to scratch the spots, your doctor may
suggest an anti-itch medicine.

Important Tips

Most cases of chickenpox are mild and children get better

completely.
Scarring can happen if your child scratches the spots and they
get infected.

For fever or pain, give your child Panadol (make sure the dose of
medication is recommended by your child's doctor or
pharmacist).

Your child needs to see a doctor if the child has a very high fever
or is very ill, such as being very drowsy, breathing fast or
vomiting a lot.
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3. Fever
What is a fever?
A fever is when the body's temperature is higher than normal.
Humans usually have a body temperature within a very narrow range.
Normally a child has a fever when their temperature, is over 37.5C. (when
taken by a thermometer in the mouth or under the arm).
A child with a fever often has a hot, flushed face. The forehead may feel hot.
The child may feel hot, or sometimes even shivery. A child's hands and feet
may feel cold, even when the rest of the child is hot. Children with fever are
often miserable or tired.
Is fever good or bad?
Fever is the body's natural response to infection. Raising the body
temperature helps the body to fight off the infection, so it is not always
necessary to treat the fever.
However, children with fever often feel uncomfortable and unwell and using
measures to bring down their temperature can help.
Fevers, especially if they are rapidly increasing, may occasionally bring
about convulsions (fits) in children under five years old. These are not
dangerous but they can be frightening. Keeping a childs temperature from
getting too high may prevent fits. Although paracetamol and ibuprofen is
widely used in children with fever, it is often not effective in reducing fever
and does not reduce the incidence of febrile convulsions.
What causes fever?
The most common cause of a fever is infection. Infections of the upper
respiratory tract, such as colds and flu, are very common, especially in
preschool children. Young preschoolers can have five to ten infections each
year. These infections are caused by a virus and get better on their own
without antibiotics.

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Some infections, like ear infections and some throat infections, may be
caused by bacteria. If your child has a bacterial infection, he or she will get
better much quicker if antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor.
Fever may also be caused by other factors, such as prolonged exposure to
the sun on a hot day.
When do you need to see a doctor?
You need to see a doctor if your child has a fever and:

Your child is very young (six months or younger).

Your child seems very sick.

You also need to see a doctor if your child:

Has an earache.
Has difficulty swallowing.

Has fast breathing.

Has a rash.

Has vomiting.

Has neck stiffness.

Has bulging of the fontanelle (the soft spot on the head in babies).

Is very sleepy or drowsy.

Older children who have a cold, but are not very sick, generally do not need
to see a doctor with every fever.
Managing a fever
Since a fever is the body's natural response to infection it is not always
necessary to reduce a fever. However, if your child is very hot and
uncomfortable, you can try these simple steps:

Take off your child's clothes.

Give medications to reduce fever, e.g. Panadol or Nurofen. This
medication should be given at the correct dose, so ask your chemist or
doctor for the correct dose.
Give your child plenty to drink; children with a fever need more fluids.
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Consult a doctor if the fever does not settle or your child is still sick.

Important Tips

Most fevers are caused by viral infections.

Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.

Babies under six months with a high temperature should be seen

by a doctor.

See a doctor if your child seems very sick.

4. Nappy rash
What is nappy rash?
It can be common for babies to develop red angry skin in the nappy area,
especially in older babies who sleep through the night without a nappy
change. The newer disposable nappies now make nappy rash less common.
If it occurs it can be treated effectively but it is better to try to prevent the
rash developing.
What causes nappy rash?
Wetness from urine and faeces
Wetness is the main cause of nappy rash. The longer the nappy is wet or
dirty the higher the risk.
Thrush
Thrush is an infection which thrives in warm moist areas. It is almost
always present in significant nappy rashes and can occur on top of other
rashes. It can be treated effectively with cream.
Chemical irritation

Urine and faeces contain irritating substances which may lead to a

rash if they are in contact with the skin for too long.
Too much soap can irritate the skin and dry it out.
Detergents and soaking solutions can irritate if they remain in the
cloth nappy. Wash and rinse nappies well.
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Prevention

Change nappies as soon as possible after they become wet or soiled

and preferably once during the night.
Clean your baby with good quality baby wipes or warm water and a
cloth.

Let your baby have some 'nappy free' time daily, though not in the
sun.

Avoid using plastic pants.

Wash and rinse all cloth nappies thoroughly.

After each nappy change, apply a thin layer of protective cream to your
baby's skin e.g. zinc and castor oil.

Try good quality disposable nappies.

If a rash develops
See your doctor if a rash develops and persists for more than a few days. It
may mean that there is an underlying skin infection present such as thrush
or a bacterial infection. Thrush is a fungal infection, which thrives in warm
moist areas. It is almost always present in significant nappy rashes and can
occur on top of other rashes.
The doctor will usually prescribe a cream to treat the infection.
Difficult to treat nappy rash
When a nappy rash is difficult to treat, it may indicate that there is an
underlying skin condition such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis. This
needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Important Tips

Keep your baby's skin as dry as possible.

Give your baby some nappy free time

Rinse nappies well.

Use protective creams and ointments.

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5. Sore Throat
What is a sore throat?
Sore throats are a very common illness in infants and children. They tend to
be more common during winter months. The older child will complain of a
sore throat but the younger child or infant may refuse to eat or drink or cry
during feeding. If you look at the throat it may appear bright red.
What causes a sore throat?
It is usually caused by infection with viruses and less often bacteria. In
younger children (less than two years old), throat infections are usually viral
in origin. Antibiotics do not help viral infections.
What to do?
Pain relief is important as reducing pain can encourage your child to eat and
drink. Give pain relief as below WITH PRIOR CONSULTATION OF A
MEDICAL DOCTOR : Paracetamol ("Panadol") using the dose recommended on the bottle.
Your child may find swallowing difficult. Encouraging your child to drink
fluids is very important. Warm fluids and soft foods may be easier for your
child to swallow.
Throat sprays or throat lozenges are not recommended.
When should you contact your local doctor?
If the symptom of sore throat persists for longer than 48 hours, if your child
is drinking poorly for longer than 24 hours or other symptoms develop to
complicate your childs illness.
You need to call immediately if your child has:

Great difficulty swallowing.

Difficulty breathing.

A new skin rash or bruising.

Increased snoring when asleep, or stopping breathing when asleep.

Enlarging tender lumps in the neck.

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Extreme tiredness or drowsiness.Possibly choked on a foreign object or

swallowed a toxic substance.

Important Tips

Give pain relief

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids
Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist for more than
48hours or your child develops other symptoms.

ASSIGNMENT 2 : NUTRITION
PROJECT TITLE : ENCOURAGING YOUNG CHILDREN
TO EAT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS THROUGH
CREATIVE VEGETABLE / FRUIT ART

VEGETABLE ART : ANIMALS & SEA

CREATURES

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Write something on vegetables/fruits/grains

found in page 15 of :NUTRITION FOR
YOUNG CHILDREN
Eat a variety of food

Eating a variety of foods is the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Why is this

true? Here are some important reasons:
Foods contain combinations of nutrients and other healthy
substances. No one food provides all the nutrients needed for good
health.
To make sure we consume all of the nutrients and other substances
needed for health, we need to choose a variety of foods.
There are no good or bad foods. All foods can be part of a healthy
diet if balance and moderation are achieved.

As you plan meals for childrenKeep in mind that it is important to obtain nutrients from a variety of foods,
not from a few highly fortified foods or supplements. This is because:
Serving a variety of foods is the best way to provide children with
adequate calories as well as nutrients.
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Relying on fortified foods or supplements may limit the nutrients in

meals served to children.
There are some substances in foodsparticularly in fruits, vegetables,
and whole grainsfor which requirements and functions have not yet
been established, even though our bodies need and use them. A
varied diet will help avoid shortages of these substances as well as
others.

Menu Planning Tips for Variety Main Dishes

Plan a different meat or meat alternate for each day in the week.
Use a variety of meat or meat alternates, such as eggs, turkey
sausage, ham, beef, low fat cheese, low fat yogurt, peanut butter,
refried beans, etc.

Vegetables and Fruits

Serve seasonal fresh fruits/vegetables whenever possible.

Include raw or cooked fruits and/or vegetables in salads.
Plan to use raw or cooked fruits in fruit cups and desserts.
Use a different combination of two or more servings of vegetables and

fruits each day. Include all formsfresh, canned, frozen, and dried.
Serve a variety of full-strength fruit or vegetable juices such as: apple,
grape, pineapple-orange, pineapple-grapefruit, orange, and tomato.
Include foods that are high in vitamin A and vitamin C.
Plan to include vegetables and fruits frequently in snacks.

Balance the food you eat with physical activity to maintain

or improve your weight

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Children need enough food for proper growth and normal development.
Calorie need for children differ due to body size, growth spurts and levels of
physical activity.
Obesity in childhood is a growing problem in our nation. A poor diet and a
sedentary lifestyle are the major contributors.
Health professionals recommend that childhood obesity be prevented by
increasing physical activity. They also recommend teaching children to eat
grains, vegetables, fruits, as well as low fat dairy foods and other proteinrich foods.

ASSIGNMENT 3 : DENTAL HEALTH

TOPIC : THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL
HEALTH
PROJECT TITLE : THE MIDNIGHT MONSTER

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Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your

Child's Teeth
How can I best care for my child's teeth?

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth
comes in. Wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings
helps to prevent the build up of bacteria. When teeth appear, start using a
soft children's toothbrush twice a day.
Once your child is preschool-age, start using fluoride toothpaste. Don't cover
the brush with toothpaste; a pea-sized amount is just right (see picture
above). Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste, and
swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent stains on
their teeth.

What about using fluoride tablets?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel. Many
cities are required to add fluoride to tap water. If you live in an area where
the tap water doesn't contain fluoride, your doctor may prescribe daily
fluoride tablets when your child is about 6 months old. Fluoride is an
important part of your child's dental health, but don't give him or her more
than the directions call for. If you miss a dose, don't give your child extra
fluoride to make up. Just as with swallowed toothpaste, too much oral
fluoride can cause stains on your child's teeth.

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What are cavities?

Cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use
the sugar in food to make acid. This acid eats away at the teeth. Cavities are
the most common disease in children. Good tooth care can keep cavities
from happening in your child

Is my child at risk for cavities?

Your child might be at risk for cavities if he or she eats a lot of sugary foods
(such as raisins, cookies and candy) and drinks a lot of sweet liquids (such
as fruit juice and punch, soda and sweetened drinks). Your child also might
be at risk if he or she has any of the following risk factors:

Was born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth
weight)
Has ongoing special health care needs

Has white spots or brown areas on any teeth

Does not go to the dentist very often

How can I help stop cavities?

Everyone in your family should take good care of their teeth. Family
members with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies
and children.
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and adults should floss once a
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day. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or
dentist show you the right way to brush your child's teeth.

Does diet affect my child's teeth?

Yes. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice.
To avoid cavities, limit sweet snacks and drinks between meals. Have meals
and snacks at regular times. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and
vegetables, and cheese and crackers.
Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health.
When liquid from a bottle--like milk and juice--stays in contact with the
teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a
condition called bottle mouth. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and
become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle, unless it
contains plain water. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a
bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first
birthday.

Is thumb-sucking bad for my child?

It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most
children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their
teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist.
Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In
most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until
around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

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The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child
to a dentist around his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance
to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Paediatric dentists
specialize in treating children's dental health. You and your child's dentist
should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and
fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child
become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good
habit of regular dental check-ups.

ASSIGNMENT 4 : CHILD SAFETY

QUESTION : NAME AND DESCRIBE 2 TYPES
OF ISSUES RELATED TO CHILD SAFETY.
ELECTRICAL FIRE SAFETY
Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and
injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system
failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and
poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and
overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know
that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and
property resulting from electrical fires.

THE PROBLEM
During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485
deaths, and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes
twice as many fires as electrical appliances.

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THE FACTS
December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are
highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase
in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in
the bedroom.

THE CAUSE
Electrical Wiring

Most electrical fires result from problems with "fixed wiring" such as
faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords and plugs,
such as extension and appliance cords, also cause many home
electrical fires.
In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical
fires.
Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric
cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running
the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.

Home Appliances

The home appliances most often involved in electrical fires are electric
stoves and ovens, dryers, central heating units, televisions, radios and
record players.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.

Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged
appliance cords immediately.
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Use electrical extension cords wisely and don't overload them.

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay
special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the
Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) standard for safety.

Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like

space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least

three feet from all heaters.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot

outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off,

then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch
and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical
outlets.

Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are
frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even
small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or
sparks.

TOPIC : CHILD SAFETY

PROJECT TITLE : ELECTRICAL SAFETY

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CHILD PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

No one likes to think of what would happen to their child if they were
involved in an automotive accident, but there are children injured or killed
in accidents every day. Proper child restraints and teaching children the
correct ways to act around traffic can help to seriously reduce the chances
of injury or fatality due to cars and trucks.
First of all, you should make sure that your children know to respect cars
and trucks, and that they realize how dangerous they can be. Teach them
not to play in or near a street or road, since the driver of a car or truck
might not be able to see them in time to stop or swerve. If any toy that the
child is playing with gets away from them and goes into the street, have
them come get an adult or an older person to retrieve it for them, instead of
running after it (possibly into traffic.)
Children should also never play in cars, especially if there's no one around.
The car could accidentally be knocked out of gear and begin to roll, or they
could become locked in a trunk or an abandoned car. Cars are machines,
not toys. When crossing a road, be sure to teach your children the proper
way to cross. They should always cross at corners when possible and at
crosswalks if they are provided. If walk signals are present, make sure that
the children know to wait for the signal to show that it's safe to walk, and
that they should move quickly across the street to the other side. Also
emphasize that they shouldn't run, since it could cause them to trip in front
of cars waiting for a light to change.
If there are no crosswalks or signals, children should learn to check for
traffic before stepping out into the road. Look left, then look right, then look
left again to see if there are any cars coming. Move quickly to the other side,
again being careful not to run and trip. Most importantly, when a child is
crossing the street they should hold the hand of a grown-up or older person
so that they don't stop or if there is any problem someone will know.
Children under 10 years of age should never be allowed to cross a street
alone.
When taking a child in a car or truck, be sure to have a properly-working car
seat for them to ride in, and make sure that all seat belts are used properly.
Children should ride in the back seat when possible, and should be buckled
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in by an adult. For older children, let them buckle themselves to get them
into the habit, but check and make sure that they are buckled in correctly.
Make sure that shoulder belts are always worn, and buy a shoulder-belt
adjuster for children if necessary so that the belt isn't uncomfortable.
When riding in a truck with no back seat, be sure to disable the passengerside airbag if the truck is equipped with an airbag shut-off. An airbag
deploying can cause serious injury to small children, and can result in
death in very small children. If the truck is not equipped with a shut-off and
the child will be riding in it often, visit a local dealer to see what your
options are in getting the airbag disabled or having a shut-off installed.
Keeping children safe around cars is important, and with a little bit of work
can set up safe habits for their whole life. Plus, incorrectly buckling up
children in cars is now punishable by increasingly steep fines if you're
caught by the police. So buckle up, and stay safe.

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TOPIC : CHILD SAFETY

PROJECT TITLE : ROAD SAFETY

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