Orthopedic and pediatrics associations are calling on pediatricians and pediatricians’ groups to use the “caring for all” theme to better prepare their patients to prevent strokes and other forms of stroke-related symptoms.
This week, the association for pediatric orthopedists and pediatric orthopaedics associations issued a call to the community, encouraging doctors and other healthcare professionals to work together to help prevent strokes by communicating and supporting the use of anti-seizure medications.
This includes encouraging patients to stop wearing their hearing aids, avoid sports or other activities that can cause hearing loss, and limit outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and swimming.
“Children and adults are at higher risk of stroke and other stroke-associated complications and symptoms than adults,” the group wrote.
The association’s call comes on the heels of an outbreak of severe infections in children that began in April, with a rash of infections reported across the country.
In June, an epidemic of SIDS was identified in Pennsylvania.
The outbreak has resulted in at least 2,500 cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and more than 4,300 deaths.
Pediatric orthopaccine specialists say that a lot of doctors still are hesitant to recommend anti-epileptic drugs to their patients because they may be uncomfortable.
But, pediatric orthopharmacists say, a lack of communication among healthcare providers and a lack to prescribe these medications in general has created a huge barrier for patients to seek care and treatment.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for all pediatricians to adopt the “care for all,” theme, saying the use and misuse of these medications is a major public health threat.
“We have not only a tremendous responsibility as physicians to help our patients recover, but also to make sure we are providing them with the tools they need to recover,” said Dr. James L. Smith, an orthopedist in Virginia.
The American Academy also says pediatricians need to use their best judgment about what to prescribe.
“There are many medications that we have found that do not cause side effects and we have to do our best to identify those medications,” Dr. Smith said.
“For example, the drug, prednisolone, that is used in treating SIDS, does not cause a blood clot in children.
It’s a fairly safe drug for children.”
But pediatricians say that the anti-inflammatory medication ibuprofen can also cause a stroke in some children and can be used as a treatment for ADHD and anxiety.
In fact, the American Academy for Pediatricians and Adolescent Psychiatry said that while it has not seen a spike in stroke cases in children, it does see an increase in anxiety and depression in children.
“Children and adolescents are vulnerable to stroke,” said the AAP’s Dr. Anne Gorman.
“I think we’re going to see a rise in stroke in kids because of the number of medications they are taking.”
