Latest news with #childrenhealth
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
8 foods that have glycerol in, as under-7s warned against slushies
Slushies containing the additive glycerol should not be given to children under the age of seven, as they can make them very ill, the Food Standards Agency has warned. The flavoured drinks, which are made of syrup and crushed ice, should also be limited to no more than 350ml a day – roughly the size of a fizzy drink can – for children aged seven to 10. This is because "very high" levels of exposure to glycerol – which can happen when a child drinks several slushies in a short space of time – can cause shock, very low blood sugar levels and loss of consciousness, the watchdog said. FSA chief scientific adviser Professor Robin May, warned that while children are more likely to opt for these drinks during heatwaves and hot weather, they come with risks. "As we head into the summer holidays, we want parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with slush ice drinks containing glycerol," he said. "While these drinks may seem harmless and side-effects are generally mild, they can, especially when consumed in large quantities over a short time, pose serious health risks to young children." He added that the FSA was working closely with places where the drinks are sold to ensure warnings are in place. If your child becomes unwell with nausea or headaches after drinking slushies, give them food or drink containing sugar and call 111 for medical advice. If they become drowsy or confused, call 999. Here, we take a look at what glycerol is, its potential side-effects, and the other foods that contain it. What is glycerol and is it safe? Glycerol is a naturally occurring alcohol and sugar substitute that helps preserve and sweeten food, among other things. It is also found in the intestines, attracting water to the gut, softening stools and relieving the symptoms of constipation. In small levels, glycerol is safe – and it is an extremely common food additive. However, it can cause side-effects such as headaches, nausea, bloating, dizziness and diarrhoea. On the skin, it might also cause redness and itching (it is found in certain skincare products and soaps). In younger children, it has been found to lead to glycerol intoxication syndrome. Previous studies have examined the cases of 21 two- to seven-year-olds in the UK and Ireland, who required emergency care after drinking slushies. Most of the children within the research lost consciousness and needed brain scans, and one child experienced a seizure. It also impacted their blood sugar levels and there were traces of high acidity in their blood. While all the children were discharged from hospital and later made a full recovery, parents are now being told to avoid giving young children glycerol-filled slushies. Eight other foods that have glycerol in them While all of these foods are safe to eat, it's good to be aware where else you may find glycerol. Tortilla wraps Most wraps from the supermarket contain small quantities of glycerol, which helps sweeten the bread product and acts as a preservative. Chewing gum Gum formulas also include find powder lecithin (a naturally occurring emulsifier) and glycerol triacetate, which although do not add to the flavour in any way, help stabilise the gum – meaning it softens after the initial bite and helps the gum blend in the mouth. Icing Typically found in royal icing, glycerol – or glycerine, as it is sometimes referred to commercially – adds shine to the cake decoration and prevents it from getting hard when it sets. Cereal bars Again, the levels of glycerol in cereal bars is low – but it is commonly found in most breakfast or granola bars. It acts as a preservative in this instance. Condiments Some sauces, salad dressing, jams and preserves contain glycerol. It adds sweetness to the mixture and ensures they don't dry out. It can also improve the texture of the condiment. Spices Glycerol or glycerin is not naturally found in spices, but in some instances is added as a sweetener and humectant, to prevent them from drying out too much. Ice cream To prevent ice crystals forming in ice cream, small levels of glycerin is used to stabilise the mixture. Canned foods Mostly utilised in canned foods for its humectant qualities, glycerin also acts as a preservative, flavouring and colouring in canned foods. Additional reporting by PA. Read more about food and nutrition Five foods and drinks that can make you feel sad (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Eight ways you can manage your child's weight as obesity rates soar in the UK (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Seven surprising health benefits of drinking coffee daily (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
CNA
10-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Tracking food allergies in kids
A new national study is looking into how common food allergies are among children in Singapore and how families and the community can better manage them. Cheryl Goh finds out more from Associate Professor Elizabeth Tham, Head of the Division of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology at the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
How children can be helped to recover from concussion
children health 16 minutes ago Studies have shown that infants, children, and adolescents are at a greater risk of traumatic brain injuries than any other age group. Professor Vicki Anderson from Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Medscape
03-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Can Periostin Serve as a Biomarker for Pediatric Urticaria?
TOPLINE: Children with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) had significantly lower serum periostin levels than those without the condition. These levels did not correlate with disease activity, however. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to compare serum periostin levels between children with CSU and peers without the condition. They recruited 84 children (median age, 9 years; 58.3% girls) with CSU — all receiving antihistamines — from an outpatient clinic between April 2018 and April 2019. The control children did not have any known allergic, dermatologic, or chronic systemic conditions. TAKEAWAY: Mean serum periostin levels were significantly lower in the CSU group than in controls (56.41 ng/mL vs 71.68; P = .001). Among children with CSU, those receiving a leukotriene receptor antagonist had significantly lower periostin levels than those not receiving that class of medication (44.32 vs 61.33 ng/mL; P = .009). Serum periostin levels showed no significant correlation with disease activity, as measured using Urticaria Activity Score-7 and Urticaria Control Test scores. IN PRACTICE: 'Serum periostin may provide insight into the immunological mechanisms underlying CSU in children,' the authors of the study wrote. 'Its potential utility should be further explored in longitudinal and interventional studies.' SOURCE: Gokce Velioglu Haslak, MD, with the Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on June 24 in International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design, small sample size, and a lack of standard pediatric periostin reference ranges complicated interpretation of the results. DISCLOSURES: The authors reported having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mum pens book to help children cope with hospital
A Surrey author has written a book designed to help children cope with a stay in hospital. Bex Grace wrote The Hospital Stay with Frimley Health with input from Frimley Park Hospital's paediatric team. Bex and her two children were born at the hospital and she is a member of the Maternity Voices Frimley group. A hospital spokesperson said the book offered "clear, age-appropriate communication and playful storytelling to reduce anxiety and empower children, while supporting parents and carers to guide their children through the experience". Every illustration is based on real scenes from hospitals at the trust, where 25% of all patients are children. James Clarke, the trust's chief strategy officer at Frimley Heath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "When I visited the hospital with my own four-year-old, I saw first-hand how many questions young children have and how important it is to help them feel at ease. "This book is a beautiful example of how we can make our ambitions real for children and families, helping them understand what great care looks like. "Bex's story is one of giving back, she's a local author, a parent, and a true partner in our mission to make hospital care better for everyone." The Hospital Stay with Frimley Health is available now on the Frimley Health Charity website, which will receive all profits from book sales. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Hospitals in South East given £67m for repairs Hospital extension welcomes first patients Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
