Substance use includes alcohol and drugs, both illegal and prescribed. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused by women drinking large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. It can delay a child’s development and cause deformities and learning difficulties. Babies born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome have “characteristic facial deformities, stunted growth and mental retardation.” (Bruce, T. et Al. 2005. p.295). Drugs (illegal and prescribed) can cause low birth weight and can delay development, cause deformities and birth defects, epilepsy which could result in a child having a lot of time off school, and could result in the baby being born addicted to drugs and experience withdrawal symptoms soon after birth, which could result in learning difficulties. “Research indicates that babies who have been exposed to ecstasy while in the womb are more likely to be born with abnormalities…the particular abnormalities found were heart defects and problems with muscles and bones, such as club foot (Talipes).” (Meggitt, C. 2001. p.15).
The mother’s age is also a causative factors before birth of childhood illness as “first-time mother’s over the age of 35 run a risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality.” (Meggitt, C. 2001. p.13). These include Down’s syndrome. It is also more likely for there to be problems if it is a woman’s first pregnancy, for example neural tube defects and pre-eclampsia which could cause harm to the baby.
After birth, or postnatal factors that could cause illness in children include accidents, lifestyle and poverty, and abuse and neglect. Penny Tassoni states, “according to Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), an estimated 10,000 children a year are left disabled as a result of accidents.” (Tassoni, P. et Al. 2002. p.175). For example, a child may fall down the stairs or off a trampoline and could get a brain injury. Or a child could be involved in an accident that results in a sensory impairment. Minor accidents could also cause illness and could result in the child having time off school.
“Many of the factors which adversely affect child health are closely interrelated, and can be seen as a cycle of deprivation. For example, poor families will tend to live in poorer housing conditions and may also have an inadequate diet. Lack of adequate minerals and vitamins as a result of poor diet leads to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and so on.” (Meggitt, C. 2001. p.19). These factors will have an impact on the physical, emotional and social well being of the child. Poverty can mean that children don’t get the attention or education they need and therefore a delay in their development could lead to learning difficulties. It could also mean that they develop respiratory problems as a result of living in a damp or polluted environment. Also if the child is living in a disadvantaged environment as a result of parents who are substance abusers for example, then the child may develop behavioural problems, which could get worse if not recognised and need special care to support the child in the future. Poverty can also result in mental health problems for children.
The environment also has other factors such as smoking. If the child’s parents smoke then this could cause passive smoking which can lead to respiratory problems for the child. With the smoking ban in public places this may mean that more children are being exposed to smoke in their own homes. “Polluted air, whether from smoke or from chemicals, causes a variety of different respiratory illnesses. Some chemicals and radioactive pollution have been linked with childhood cancers.” (Meggitt, C. 2005. p.10).
Illness can also be caused by abuse and neglect in childhood. “It is now known that shaking a baby or toddler can cause severe brain injuries.” (Tassoni, P. 2006. p.432). Children who are being abused are likely to have a delay in their development, which could lead to learning difficulties. Physical abuse can lead to brain damage, sensory or physical impairment, and painful marks, bruises, or cuts for the child, as well as broken limbs. Sexual abuse could lead to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, which could result in a child being excluded and lacking stimulation, and of developmental delay due to hospital care. Penny Tassoni states, “child abuse of any kind can also mean that children develop special needs.” (Tassoni, P. 2006. p.432).
Microbes include viruses, bacteria, protocoa, fungi and parasites. These can lead to many childhood infections and illnesses contracted including measles, meningitis, diabetes, and rickets. Measles can lead to a delay in physical development or encephalitis if it is not treated in time. Meningitis can result in deafness or brain damage, and again can be prevented by immunisation. Diabetes can lead to brain damage if hypoglycaemia is not treated properly. Also if insulin is not taken correctly then the child could have kidney failure or eye disease, which could result in missing large amounts of school and needing extra support. “Rickets is a rare bone growth disorder that produces a variety of symptoms in children” including bow legs, and a deformed chest. (Meggitt, C. 2001. p.128).
Illnesses can be prevented by regular childhood immunizations, effective hygiene and education. Health promotion is a form of health education which can teach people the importance of health and safety and ways to avoid bad health. All of the health educators use education as a tool to help people understand, this may be through 1-1 conversations, using facts and statistics, giving written information sheets, or by supplying people with books or websites, etc where they can find out information themselves. Health promotion programmes are commonplace in today’s society. These aim to educate people and change their views and attitudes, in order to protect their health and the health of those around them, in particular, children. To prevent illness as a result of accidents safety measures should be in place, such as fire guards and stair gates. These can help prevent accidents which can cause illness. Respiratory conditions could be prevented by parents not smoking around children, and by improving living conditions so that children do not live in damp housing. Providing children with a sensible diet will also help to prevent illness as they will receive the nutrients needed to fight viruses and bacteria in their immune systems. It is also necessary to talk to children and observe and record any odd behaviour or indicators of abuse as this could help prevent illness if it is recognised in time and the child is protected.
References:
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Bruce, T. and Meggitt, C. (2005) Child Care and Education- 3rd edition. Hodder Arnold.
- Meggitt, C. (2001) Baby and Child Health. Heinemann.
- Meggitt, C. (2005) Baby and Child Health. Heinemann.
- Tassoni, P. et Al. (2002) Diploma Child Care and Education. Heinemann.
- Tassoni, P. (2006) Early Years. Heinemann.