By Lexi Elo
Children are more complicated than adults when it comes to medicine and not just because they are [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]smaller. Children’s bodies react differently to the medications used to treat them. What’s more, many drugs cause reactions in the developing bodies of children that do not
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affect adults in the same way and some of these reactions can be dangerous. With children often exposed to pain, effective pain management and fever remains the panacea for proper growth and development of children.
Speaking during the unveiling of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc Panadol Children’s suspension and Scott’s Cod Liver Oil Emulsion for kids,Ms. Kerry Alexander, marketing director of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, disclosed that pain is common in children, hence children under this condition require an analgesic (pain-reliever) to help reduce their pain.
While Paracetamol has been safely used for many years for mild to moderate pain in infants over one month old, children, adolescents and adults,Ms. Alexander hinted that if too much paracetamol is given to a child for too long, it may harm the child.
Alexander explained that “Analgesic such as Paracetamol is used for relief of mild to moderate pain, discomfort and fever associated with teething, toothache, headache, colds and flu, and post-immunisation fever. Children experiencing pain should be given adequate pain relief in accordance with the doctor’s instructions. Panadol Children’s Suspension provides fast and effective relief for pain and fever in children and is gentle on tiny tummies.
“Scott’s Emulsion, which comes in orange flavour, provides nutrients that contribute to growth and development, normal brain function and the maintenance of a healthy immune system in children. Scott’s was produced in an emulsion form because it is easily absorbed and provides better results than other cod liver products in oil form’.
Corroborating these views, Dr. Muktar Yola, consultant Neonatologist, National Hospital Abuja, counsel parents on the management of pain and fever in children, highlighting the role of children’s paracetamol suspension and the best ways to relieve pain and fever. She noted that pain can be managed in different ways and for children the new Panadol Children has been proven to work better and faster.
Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo, president, African Paediatric Association & Societies, emphasized the role of Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A and D and Calcium in the growth and development of children.
Dr. Esangbedo disclosed that Omega-3s are important for children’s health right from the start – actually, before they’re even born. The consultant paediatrician noted that some studies show that infants fed formulas enriched with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA show improvements in hand-eye coordination, attention span, social skills, and intelligence test scores.
“Omega-3s are rapidly becoming an important tool in mainstream medicine. They seem to have health benefits for every age group – from before birth to old age. There’s conclusive evidence that they protect against heart disease and lower triglycerides. There’s also some research showing that they might help with dozens of other conditions.
“Omega-3s are essential fatty acids — we need them for our bodies to work properly. One of their most important benefits is that they seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect. A lot of diseases, like heart disease and arthritis, seem to be related to an inflammatory process. Omega-3s can tune down the body’s inflammation, and that may be how they help prevent some of these chronic diseases,” Dr. Esangbedo explained.