Chapter 22 School-Age Children and Adolescents

Health Problems of School-age Children Chronic diseases Asthma Autism Diabetes Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Seizure disorders Childhood cancers (leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14 yrs)

Health Problems of School-age Children (cont.) Behavioral and learning problems Learning disabilities ADHD Behavioral and emotional problems Disabled children Problems associated with economic status (lead poisoning, iron deficiency anemia, increased susceptibility to illness)

Question Is the following statement true or false? Learning disabilities are a major chronic disease affecting children.

Answer False Although learning disabilities can be life-long, they are considered a behavior or learning problem, not a chronic disease.

Health Problems of School-age Children (cont.) Death from injuries Motor vehicle/traffic injury, drowning, fire/burns: ages 1-9 yrs Motor vehicle/traffic injury, drowning, poisoning: ages 10- 19 yrs Suicides with firearms: ages 10-19 yrs Communicable diseases Head lice Other health problems: undernutrition, poor dental health, obesity, inactivity

Adolescent Health and Health Problems Emotional problems and teenage suicide (third leading cause of death) Violence Substance abuse Teen sexuality and pregnancy Sexually transmitted diseases or infections Acne Poor nutrition and eating disorders

Health Services for School-age Children and Adolescents Prevention programs Immunizations TB testing Education and social services (basic services, parental support services, family planning services, STD services, risk reduction services, peer education)

Question Is the following statement true or false? Poisoning is a major cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 9 years.

Answer False In children ages 1 to 9 years, motor vehicle/traffic injury, drowning, and fire/burns are the leading causes of death. For those 10 to 19 years of age, the major causes of death include motor vehicle/traffic injury, drowning, and poisoning.

Health Services for School-age Children and Adolescents (cont.) Health protection Safety and injury prevention Infectious diseases Child protective services Oral hygiene and dental care

Health Services for School-age Children and Adolescents (cont.) Health promotion programs Nutrition programs Weight control programs

Question Is the following statement true or false? For teenagers, suicide accounts for few deaths.

Answer False Suicide is the third leading cause of death for this age group.

Internet Resources Child Behavior & How Parents Can Change Behaviors: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/p arents/behavior/201.printerview.html Drug Abuse Prevention Guide: http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/prevention/RedBook.pdf Food Allergies: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ffalrgn.html Foundation for a Smokefree America: http://www.tobaccofree.org/ Injury Prevention Program (children 12 and under): http://www.aap.org/family/tippmain.htm