School classes start and with them all our routines return. We would like to share some tips and reminders to help you taking care of your children’s health. HEALTH CONTROLS Vaccines: Remember to verify the immunization records. Your children’s vaccines must be in force. Ocular health: Kids must have ophthalmologic controls when they are between 3 and 5 years old, when they start school period (6 years old) and when they finish school period (12 years school). Oral health: Since children are 2 years old it is recommended using toothbrush and toothpaste after each meal. As well, they should have 2 annual controls with a dentist. Paediatric appointments: It is recommended having appointments regularly with your children’s Paediatrician. Schedule: From 1 to 2 years, 4 annual controls From 2 to 3 years, 3 annual controls From 3 to 4 years, 2 annual controls Since 5 years, 1 annual control BACKPACK • Backpacks should have wide and padded straps. • Backpack weight should no overcome 20% of children weight. • To avoid sprains, both shoulders must be used to carry backpacks. • Bags with wheels are the best option, especially when they are too heavy for children. TRANSPORTATION Van: • Children must use seatbelt. • Remind them they must be sitting during the trip. • Getting in and out of the van must be done in appropriate places. Car: • Seatbelts must be used during every trip. • According to the age you should add special chairs or boosters. Boosters are recommended when kids are shorter than 1.5 m because seatbelts are not adaptable to their height. • Children under 13 years must travel in the back seat always. • If you are travelling with more than one kid, you can move the front seat as much as possible to the back part of the car and add a booster to obtain an extra place. Bicycle: • Children must use helmet. • They have to drive always on their right hand. • They should respect traffic lights and signals. • Using hand signals is a good way to indicate other vehicles where you are planning to do. • Children should wear light colour clothes or an identifier in order to be more visible. Walking: • Parents should evaluate if the kid is able to handle with traffic alone. • Make sure your children know very well the way to school and verify it is safety enough. • Children should wear light colour clothes or an identifier in order to be more visible. HEALTHY ALIMENTATION • Plan a varied menu with plenty of fruits and vegetables. • Remember water is the best drink. • Fizzy drinks use to have high content of sugar (200 calories in 350 cc) what increases risk of obesity. • Snacks should be supervised by an adult. Try to avoid cookies, sweets and alfajores. Best options are dairy products, cereals, fruits and bread. HOMEWORK • Must be supervised by an adult. • Children should not have their homework done by other person. • Computer and Internet times need to be controlled and restricted. • Turn off TV during homework time. PEDICULOSIS • Pediculosis is not related to lack of hygiene or care. • Kids between 3 and 10 years are the most exposed to this problem. • Girls use to be more affected because of their quiet games and head to head contact. • During treatment you should use a special comb after eliminating hair entanglement. • Divide hair in sections to avoid forgetting comb any part. • It is recommended to use a white towel or paper to be able to see lice. • Special comb is perfect to see nits and lice. • After being used, comb must be cleaned under hot water, with alcohol or a paper towel. • Children must receive an appropriate treatment as soon as we recognized the problem. • Pediculicides are not recommended if you are not sure the kid is infected. • Special comb should be used twice a week for prevention and regularly when infection has been detected at school. • Remember that some lice or nits can persist after a correct treatment. • Having an outbreak infection at school does not mean that every kid is infected. • Outbreaks are a good reason to use special comb, but not for using pediculicides indiscriminately. Important: • American Paediatric Association considers that all Pediculosis can be resolved brushing your children’s hair with a special comb. • Incorrect treatments and reinfection are more usual than lice resistance. • You must always ask your doctor about the product you will use and the application way. Failures can be due to: • Incorrect pediculicides use. • Very important infection or reinfection. • Treatment resistance. Resistances can increase when: • Pediculicides are not being used appropriately. • Pediculicides are being use in cases of death lice or nits. • Pediculicides are being use as a prevention treatment (very frequently). INTESTINAL PARASITES They appear frequently during kindergarten period and first years of school period. PINWORMS Female parasite usually moves during the night and lays very infesting eggs which remain in children’s clothes and skin. After scratching the zone, eggs remain under the nails perpetuating the infection. Most kids never show any symptom. It is really important to detect early infection cases at school to avoid spreading infection quickly. Diagnosis: The examination indicated is usually adhesive spatula. GIARDIA After ingesting parasite cysts, these move to the small intestine and are eliminated with faeces. Cysts can have a long life outside the body, in water or soils before being ingested again with contaminated food. Diagnosis: The examination indicated is usually coproparasitary test. Prevention: Washing hands before each meal and after using bathroom are the best ways to prevent the infection. Treatment: Once diagnosis has been confirmed, the kid and the familiar group must receive treatment.