Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are known to cause growth stunting through a few different ways:

1. reducing appetite
2. causing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
3. toxic effects on the body and organs

There are four main mycotoxins that are linked to growth stunting in children:

1. aflatoxins
2. fumonisin
3. deoxynivalenol (DON or vomitoxin)
4. zearalenone

1. Aflatoxins are made from Aspergillus species which are usually found in grain or peanuts that were stored incorrectly.  Studies have found greater alfatoxin exposure is associated with high rates of growth retardation.

2. Fumonisins are produced by Fusarium species and grow in domestic animals. Infants in the developing world tend to consume fumonisins in abundance.  One study linked higher fumonsin exposure with slower growth rates in children.

3. Deoxynivalenol, DON, is a trichothecene mycotoxin produced from the Fusarium species.  Ingestion can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. DON can pass to the placenta and reduce growth of unborn children.

4. Zearalenone is also produced by Fusarium fungi that grows on foods. It can affect growth of animals.  There is currently a lack of research on the effects of zearalenone on human growth.

from Kathleen Berry-Hebert http://ift.tt/18zaPBE

Liquid Nicotine Used in E-cigarettes Can Kill Children

Those who are both parents and e-cigarette users should be aware that their habit could be deathly to their children.  If a child swallows any bit of the liquid nicotine used to fill e-cigarettes, the child may die.  The liquid may also be poisonous if spilled on the skin.

The first death of this sort occurred in December of 2014 when a one-year-old child died from liquid nicotine poisoning.  After this, the number of calls to poison control centers increased from 1,543 in 2013 to 3,638 calls as of November 30, 2014.  The refills are being sold in so many different flavors and colors, flavors and colors that are all appealing to children.  “It’s such a small quantity and yet it’s so toxic and so deadly.  I don’t think people realize what a deadly toxin they have in their house when they have liquid nicotine,” says Kyran Quinlan, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, and chair of the AAP Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention.

Those at greatest risk are aged one to two years old. But those with children under five years old should still be cautious.  Unfortunately only a few states require childproof packaging for liquid nicotine refills.  That means this poisonous liquid is not childproof capped in many states.  The AAP urges parents to purchase products with childproof packaging and store the refills as well as discarded bottles out of reach of their children. This means placing discarded refills somewhere other than the garbage can if a child has access to that.

Dr. Quinlan explains the three different methods of exposure to children.  These methods include contact with their mouth even without swallowing, swallowing, and simply skin contact.  If the poison is in their mouth, it will be absorbed through the mucous membranes, similar to nicotine gum.  If they swallow it, it will be absorbed in their intestinal tract.  If they spill it or touch it, it will be absorbed through the skin, similar to a nicotine patch.

The bottles come in different sizes and different strengths.  A concentrated liquid can be deadly for a one-year-old even at a measurement such as a teaspoon.  Symptoms for children with nicotine poisoning include increased heartbeat, vomiting, jittery appearance and trouble breathing.  The number for the Poison Center hotline is 800-222-1222.  Call that immediately if you suspect your child was exposed.

from Kathleen Berry-Hebert http://ift.tt/1BxeRUB

Screen Time Can Lead to Eyestrain in Kids

“A growing children’s health concern could literally be staring you in the face,” writes Mary McGrath in the American Academy of Pediatrics online journal. Well that is scary, especially for a mother of three children like Kathleen Berry-Hebert!

Do your children do their homework on computers?  Do they spend portions out of their days on computers whether it is homework or games once they get home from school? Symptoms can be dry or red eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, headaches or neck pain.

One concern is that computer workspaces were built with the intention that adults would be the main user.  A great viewing height for a computer screen has been determined to be 15 degrees below the line of vision.  An adult will look slightly down at a computer but a child is much shorter than an adult.  A child will have to look up at an uncomfortable angle to see the screen, use the keyboard, or sit in a chair positioned for an adult.

When children play video games for hours and hours, they may ignore the discomfort felt in their eyes.  If they are not paying attention to strain, this will worsen their symptoms.

As a parent or adult, it is important to help prevent your child from feeling these symptoms.  Maybe these tidbits will help:

• Make sure your home computer workspace fits your child.
• When using a digital screen, dim the lighting in the room.
• Remind your child to sit at least 20 inches from the large screen and sit with good posture.
• Encourage your child to take a break every 20 minutes.
• Avoid looking at a screen right before bedtime.  This type of lighting can disrupt one’s ability to fall asleep.
• Finally, maybe most important, limit the amount of time a child spends using a screen.   Children under the age of 2 should be “screen-free” and older than that, should not be using a screen for more than 2 hours per day!

The AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends eye examinations at every doctor visit.  Eye problems in very young children can be treated and even corrected but will not be found if the child does not receive regular checkups.  If you notice any changes in your child’s eyes or viewing habits, be sure to contact a doctor right away.

from Kathleen Berry-Hebert http://ift.tt/1J4gsos