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NEW YORK, Jan. 22 – A new US survey found that about half of parents still give vitamins and supplements to their children to help prevent colds despite the lack of scientific evidence of their effectiveness .
Conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, the National Children's Health Survey of CS Mott Children's Hospital asked a national sample of 1,119 parents of 5-year-old children's parents. at age 12 regarding the methods they used for the prevention of colds.
Despite a minimum, if not a complete lack of scientific evidence, 51% of parents still gave vitamins or supplements to their children to prevent colds and even more (71%) believed in traditional methods of cold prevention, such as not to go outside. with wet hair or stay indoors.
The most popular product offered to children was vitamin C, used by 47% of parents, followed by zinc (15%) or echinacea (11%). About 25% of parents had also given their children an advertised product to boost their immune system.
The good news is, however, that 99% of parents included in the survey said they encourage good personal hygiene to prevent colds, including teaching children how to wash their hands frequently, teaching them not to put their hands near their hands. mouth or nose and discouraging children. prevent them from sharing utensils or drinks with other people, all methods based on science.
In addition, 84% of parents practice good cleanliness to prevent colds, for example to keep household surfaces clean and disinfected and to clean toys.
In addition, 87% of parents keep their children away from people who are already sick, 64% say they ask their relatives with colds not to hug or kiss their child, and 60% of them make appointments with children. children or other similar activities are present.
"The positive news is that the majority of parents are following evidence-based recommendations to avoid catching or spreading colds and other diseases," said Gary Freed, MD, MPH, co-director. from the survey and pediatrician at Mott.
"However, many parents also use supplements and vitamins whose effectiveness is not proven in the prevention of colds and which 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. "
The researchers add that colds are caused by viruses and spread more often from one person to another, and not by going outside with wet hair or other well-known causes.
According to the researchers, schoolchildren catch three to six colds a year on average, and some can last up to two weeks.
"When children have a cold, it affects the whole family," explains Freed. "Colds can lead to lack of sleep, being uncomfortable and missing out on school and other obligations. All parents want to keep families as healthy as possible. "
"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 colds, it has not been proven that others could actually tell the difference. »- AFP-Relaxnews
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