Parents picked up vital tips on how to keep their children strong and fit at the recent Healthy Kids, Happy Kids seminar.
Parents picked up vital tips on how to keep their children strong and fit at the recent Healthy Kids, Happy Kids seminar.
Did you know that more children are developing myopia, and at a younger age than before? In Singapore and other East Asian countries, about a quarter of the population end up with short-sightedness of over 600 degrees. High myopia increases your kid’s risk of sight-threatening complications when he grows up. These include retinal detachment, macular degeneration and glaucoma, said Dr Chua Wei Han, an ophthalmologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. He was speaking to parents at the Healthy Kids, Happy Kids seminar on Sept 24 at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
Spending more time outdoors is the first step to help keeping your child’s eyes in good condition, Dr Chua shared. If Junior is already wearing spectacles, see an ophthalmologist for atropine eye drops to slow the progression of his myopia. Another rising trend is childhood allergies, noted Dr Mark Loh, a paediatrician at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. Misconceptions about the condition still abound among many parents, who seek ways to help their kids prevent it entirely.
The truth is, allergies in children can neither be prevented nor cured, Dr Loh explains. However, they can be effectively managed with individualised education and planning, so see a doctor early. At the four-hour long seminar presented by Young Parents and Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, parents also learnt the importance of having quality sleep, which can boost children’s development and academic performance.
If your kid has insomnia, snores excessively or always feels sleepy during the day, do not shy away from this health problem, said Dr Christopher Goh, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
Likewise, should your child have flat feet, knock-knees, bow-legs, or a pigeon-toed gait, don’t wait for him to “grow out” of it, reminded Dr Leon Foo, an orthopaedic specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. These are conditions that can be treated. Besides picking up health knowledge, the participants were also treated to a tea reception and received goodie bags worth over $30. Look out for more parenting seminars and workshops coming your way!
