Sleep disturbances, anxiety, early puberty: how war affects children’s health
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The full-scale invasion of Russia had an extremely negative impact on both the psychological and physiological health of Ukrainians. However, children need a lot of attention in this matter, because their bodies are still growing and forming. Stress and war provoke serious childhood diseases. From May 2022, a team of 30 doctors from our “Okhmatdyt” polyclinic will travel to different regions of Ukraine to examine children. Since the summer of this year, we have been conducting field trips under the slogan #нечекайзчекапом, because it is important to check children in order to diagnose disorders in advance and monitor the development of the child’s body. Many diseases in the initial stages can be asymptomatic, so it is important to do medical examinations of children as often as adults. Based on the results of such trips, we have a large database of their health status. Then – about what hidden threats currently exist and how war affects children’s health even in relatively safe regions. The most common diseases during the war According to our observations, psychological stress, which can provoke psychosomatic forms of disorders, has the greatest impact on children’s bodies. At the same time, a similar situation occurs both in the de-occupied territories and in those where there were no Russian troops. The war provoked sleep disturbances in children, intensified fears of sharp sounds, thunder. Against the background of experiences, psychosomatic, neurotic disorders, and developmental delays worsened. Parents have a great demand for psychological consultations, because their children have sleep disorders and increased anxiety. Stress, in turn, causes exacerbation of chronic diseases or provokes the emergence of new ones, such as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the endocrinological system. Allergic diseases have increased. For example, before there was no allergy to fluff, dust or animals – now they have appeared. This is the body’s response to stress. It is important to start treatment on time, so that it does not later turn into a chronic stage. Also, because of the war, children’s diet changed: they began to eat more often under stress. Problems are also observed with physical activity, because children have begun to be less mobile due to online learning, limited attendance at various clubs and being in the fresh air. Blood tests show a decrease in hemoglobin, and sitting in basements provoked gynecological and urological diseases in children. “Polyclinic on the move” We see all these changes based on the results of consultations that we conduct in various regions of Ukraine. Our team consists of doctors of various profiles: from orthopedists to psychologists and gynecologists. Since we work as an outpatient clinic and we have 1-2 days to examine children, we need to quickly issue results and make diagnoses. We can’t wait to take the tests to Kyiv and then contact the parents again about the results, as it may take several days. Patrons and benefactors support us in such outings, helping with the purchase of quality equipment. For example, we always have an ultrasound machine and a hematology analyzer with us. Thanks to this, we receive the results of analyzes on the spot in a few minutes. Even in private clinics there is no such thing. A person on one table gives blood, then the laboratory assistant passes the analysis to the manager, the analyzer displays the results in 30 seconds, they are then printed – and the patient comes to my table with a complete set of blood indicators. For example, when we were within the framework of the “Health Treasury” project in Ladyzhyn, we managed to examine 250 children in one day. And during a recent visit to Makariv, a record 311 examinations were performed, of which 121 were laboratory examinations. We quickly find deviations and, if necessary, refer for treatment. We previously had a case when a child was diagnosed on Friday, and on Saturday she was already in a hospital in Kyiv. Therefore, efficiency is extremely important in this process. According to the results of examinations, we can see changes in both blood tests and urine tests of children. In the first case, it is a different type of hemoglobin decrease, and in the second – hematopoietic reactions and accumulation of salts. In the end, they cause diseases of the urinary tract, and in girls, sometimes, gynecological diseases. Also, our gynecologists record disturbances in menstrual cycles in girls: some have increased bleeding, while others, on the contrary, begin puberty earlier. At the same time, I would like to note the responsible attitude of parents to the examination of their children. We travel to those regions where it is not always possible to undergo an examination by doctors of the necessary specialties. We announce our arrival in advance and make lists. However, every time there are families who come and ask to be examined additionally outside the list, because they might not have known about this possibility before. At every outing, we urge parents: do not wait in line with children and have them examined by doctors on time. And we will continue to go to the regions, because if we don’t go to our patients today, we risk having bigger problems tomorrow. We cannot afford this, because we have to build the future. Olga Medvedeva, head of the pediatric department of the KDP NDSL “Okhmatdit”, specially for UP.Zhyttya Publications in the “View” section are not editorial articles and reflect the author’s point of view exclusively.
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