Nearly half of parents use non-evidence-based cold prevention methods for children

More than half of parents believe that vitamin C prevents germs in their children. They do not even allow children to go out with wet hair.

In the opinion of parents, this type of help helps their children not to catch or prevent a cold. According to the National Child Health Survey conducted by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan, more than half of parents have tried these methods with their children.

The uplifting news: almost all parents (99%) say that cold prevention includes clean personal cleanliness, which, according to science, avoids spreading colds. These methods include urging children to wash their hands frequently, to teach them not to put their hands near their mouths or noses and to demoralize children by sharing utensils or drinks with them. 39, other people.

Nevertheless, 51% of parents gave their child a vitamin or an over-the-counter supplement to prevent colds, even without proof of their effectiveness. Seventy-one percent of parents also claim that they are trying to protect their child from colds by following advice that is not based on "evidence of folklore," such as preventing children from getting out with wet hair or encouraging them to move on. more time inside.

Gary Freed, MD, MPH, co-director of the survey and pediatrician at Mott, said, "The good news is that the majority of parents are following evidence-based recommendations to avoid catching or spreading colds and other diseases. "

"However, many parents also use supplements and vitamins that have not proven effective in preventing colds and are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are subject to intensive publicity and widespread use, but none have independently demonstrated that they have a definitive effect on cold prevention. "

There is no evidence that giving a child vitamin C, multivitamins or other products advertised to strengthen the immune system is effective in preventing colds. Freed notes that it is not necessary to prove the effectiveness of supplements and vitamins in order to sell them.

Freed said: "Folklore strategies have probably been pbaded down from generation to generation and started before people know that germs are actually causing diseases like colds."

In addition, many more parents are using science-based cold prevention techniques. Although they help children adopt good habits of cleanliness, 87% of tutors dissuade them from already sick people. Sixty-four percent of tutors explained that they were asking parents who have a cold to not kiss their child or kiss him, and 60% would omit a date of play or a move if d & # 39; other children were sick. Some parents (31%) completely avoid playgrounds during the cold season.

Eighty-four percent of parents also integrated their child's environmental sanitation as a strategy for preventing colds, such as frequent washing of household surfaces and cleaning toys.

On average, children of school age suffer from three to six colds a year, some lasting up to two weeks.

Freed said, "When children have a cold, it affects the whole family. Colds can lead to lack of sleep, be uncomfortable and miss out on school and other obligations. All parents want to keep families as healthy as possible. "

"But it's important for parents to understand what cold prevention strategies are based on evidence. While some methods are very effective in preventing children from catching a cold, it has not been proven that others could actually tell the difference. "