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(Reuters Health) – Infants, Children, and Adolescents Unexpectedly Exposed to Radiation from Nuclear Power Plants or Inappropriate Disposal of Medical Devices Are More Prone to Present Health Problems Than Adults, Pediatricians Warn US.
In general, smaller and developing children are more exposed to the risks of radiation intoxication and to the risk of developing short- and long-term medical problems, including mental health and other health problems. some cancers, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of America. Pediatrics (AAP).
"The fact that children are not small adults is perhaps an obvious fact, but it is often overlooked," said lead author of the statement, Dr. Jerome Paulson, of the faculty of Medicine from George Washington University, Washington. DC
"Small children breathe more air, drink more water and eat more food per unit of body weight than an adult," Paulson said by e-mail. "Therefore, if what they breathe, drink or eat is contaminated with radioactive material or any other toxic substance, they will get a larger one than an adult of the same situation."
The statement, published today in Pediatrics, points out that children may be exposed to radiation resulting directly from accidents or disasters or by consuming contaminated milk and food.
While scientists have long understood the potential damage badociated with direct and indirect exposure, the new policy statement reflects recent research on the long-term health effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident that occurred in Ukraine in 1986 and on the impact of the 2011 nuclear Fukushima Daiichi. power plant accident in Japan.
In particular, parents and pediatricians should look for mental health problems as a result of nuclear accidents, especially when children are directly exposed to the disaster or have friends or loved ones injured or displaced.
Potbadium iodide can be given to infants and children to protect the thyroid gland after radiation accidents, the statement said. Nursing mothers may need to take a temporary break if they have been exposed to radiation, but they may be able to resume badfeeding after taking potbadium iodide and administered the drug to their parents. child.
Families should also take precautions to prepare for disasters, with emergency water supplies, non-perishable foods, medical supplies and all necessary documents. In addition, parents may need to keep families indoors with air conditioners or boilers turned off to avoid leaving contaminated air in the house.
In the event of a nuclear accident, families should also change their clothes and shoes and set them aside in sealed plastic bags, then take a shower to thoroughly wash the body and hair, advise doctors .
Ultimately, children who are accidentally exposed to radiation should limit their exposure to medical X-rays or MRIs, as they could unnecessarily increase their cumulative exposure to radiation, Dr. Masamine Jimba, a researcher at the University of Michigan, said. 39, University of Tokyo. t involved in the policy statement.
"In the case of exposure to radiation resulting from medical care, reduce the risk by avoiding X-ray examinations. If an alternative diagnosis / treatment is possible, give priority to this," Jimba said by post electronic. "If necessary for diagnosis, including emergency cases, tell your doctor to minimize the number of x-rays taken."
SOURCE: bit.ly/2TK3rfv Pediatrics, online November 26, 2018. [19659014] Our Standards: Principles of the Thomson Reuters Trust.
