Environmental Pollutants

 

The effects of residing in an Urban Metropolitan community that was home to three major car manufacturers and major oil refineries can generate havoc in a young child’s life. Asthma impacted the lives of my three young children while residing in Detroit, Michigan. The air quality in the Metropolitan area, is extremely toxic. Asthma is a condition that Based on my own personal experience with the condition, asthma constricts the airways and can be fatal if it goes untreated or undiagnosed. Children with asthma use inhalers and nebulizers to maintain an unrestricted air passage. The condition can have a profound effect on a child psychological, socially and cognitively.

The stressors of this disease, caused my children to miss leisure activities and school, it affected their social interactions with other children and limited their access to educational fulfillment. According to The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 2013, Pauwels, acknowledges that, “a third of child asthmatics suffer a great deal of pain or discomfort, including psychological damage which can lead to poor self-esteem and problems forming relationships with peers.” In my opinion, the social constraints of this sometimes debilitating disease could not only hinder a child’s developmental growth, it could also lead to poor self-image and depression do to the lack of interactions and restrictions that a child endures.

As stated by the World Health Organization (2011), “asthma effects some 235 million individuals. This condition is not always caused by environmental pollutant however, the number of countries and children affected by this condition is devastating.

Facts provided by the BBC (2013), provide additional insight about this debilitating disease. There are many countries that are affected by asthma, the worst countries plagued by this condition include, Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Studies show that in Australia, the condition has been noted to affect, “one child in six under 16.” In addition to Australia, children between the age of five and 11 years of age, have shown indications of the condition.

To learn more about the drastic toll that asthma has taken on countries around the world, visit the referenced websites listed below.

Reference

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/background_briefings/international/233287.stm

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs307/en/index.html

 

Environmental Pollutants

Some of these pollutants are commonly known to trigger asthma, others are not very common. In addition to these causes there are many other factors that can be linked to asthma.

The Effects of Second-Hand Smoking

The Effect of Smoking

In my profession, I work with expectant mothers and children ages 0-3. Knowing first hand, the detrimental effects that smoking could have on an unborn child, the mother and the newborn child, is very depressing. Educating parents about the adverse outcomes of tobacco use, is imperative. Smoking can have a negatively impact on a child’s hearing and parents can sometimes be oblivious this fact. In young children, inner ear infections are often linked to second hand cigarette smoke. Therefore, making parents and caregivers aware of this fact could curtail some of the negative habits that adults have and perhaps even persuade them to put an end to this negative behavior for the sake of their family. Because one of the side effects of smoking is spontaneous abortion, if one expectant mother stops smoking it could possibly save the life of an unborn child. Educating families and enhancing the lives of young children.

According To the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland, smoking can be devastating.

“Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), an increased risk of the child developing diabetes and an increased risk of attention deficit disorder. If the child continues to be exposed to smoke during infancy there is an increased risk of asthma and ear infections. These risks are increased for those living in the most deprived areas of Scotland, Sreeraman (2008).

Similarly, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has identified numerous illnesses in young children that are associated with second-hand smoking. Some of the conditions noted by the CDC include asthma attacks, ear infections and diminished lung capacity, (2004).

            In order to make a true difference in the lives of young children, parents need the necessary tools to prepare and care for their children. This education must start with proper prenatal care and positive information that can improve healthy prenatal outcomes. In an effort to ensure positive outcomes, as educators we can provide family with literature, assist with smoking cessation through community partnerships and provide healthy alternatives that reduce or eliminate stressful situations in the family environment. Parents can make adjustments to their environment that can protect their children from the adverse effects of smoking by disallowing friends and family from smoking in areas that young children frequent including the house and the car, obtaining air purification equipment and by limiting their children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in public places. By taking these actions, the overall health of the child as it relates to cigarette smoke could be improved immensely.

 

References

BMA Outlines Health Impact of Smoking, Alcohol During Pregnancy on Unborn Child | Medindia http://www.medindia.net/news/BMA-Outlines-Health-Impact-of-Smoking-Alcohol-During-Pregnancy-on-Unborn-Child-39139-1.htm#ixzz2YhT1kJ9woung

CDC Highlights: Impact on Unborn Babies, Infants, Children, and Adolescents http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2004/highlights/children/index.htm

 

Motherhood is an event that, despite its astonishing nature, occurs daily around the world.

Birth Comparison

Personal Experience

Following tradition, I delivered my child in the hospital and throughout my pregnancy, I had numerous prenatal visits. My husband and I were required to attend Lamaze classes in order for him to be my labor coach in the delivery room. Because, I feared the effects of drugs on my unborn child I decided to have my child naturally. After my son was born, I was in the hospital for three days and because my son developed bacterial pneumonia from swallowing some of his amniotic fluid, he remained in the hospital for two weeks and I was on bed rest for 6 weeks. Once my son came home from the hospital, my husband and I did not accept visitors until he was 2 months. When he turned 2 months, we had a baby shower and introduced him to the family. Following family tradition, friendship bread was served as a binding of the family unit.

Japan

Schalken (2013), noted that “The majority of Japanese women make every effort to deliver their children without the use of pain medication.” Based on tradition, Japanese dogmas are that labor pains are a test of the mother’s endurance as they prepare for the true challenge of motherhood; despite the suggestion of physician’s, the ancient customs continue in modern day society. Japanese mothers deliver in area hospitals, but fathers are only permitted in the delivery room if they complete prenatal classes; this however does not guarantee that the father will be a part of the delivery process.  If a caesarean section is required, fathers wait in a designated waiting area.  After delivery, hospital stays range from 5 to 10 days. Accordingly, “Once the mother is released from the hospital, it is customary that both mother and bay stay with the mother’s parents for approximately one month; mother’s bond with their newborns by staying in bed with the baby for 21 days. Visitation from friends and family are tradition in order to greet the new baby and join in the celebration of life which includes osekihan (red rice with red beans)” Schalken (2013).

The similarities between childbirth in Tokyo, Japan and Detroit, Michigan are similar in many ways.

• Birth was achieved without medication
•  Mothers were on bed rest for a specified amount of time after giving birth
•  Access to the infant was limited
•  Father’s had to participate in birthing classes in order to participate in the birthing process
• Celebratory events occurred to welcome the child into the family

Reference

http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/childbirth-traditions-china_70703-page-2