Pediatric nursing

10/10/2025

Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Matters For Everyone

Dear followers,

Today, on October 10, 2025, we mark World Mental Health Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and supporting those who grapple with mental health challenges. For me, this day carries an additional weight. It marks one year since the sudden loss of my dear brother, someone I loved deeply and cherished more than words often express. This personal tragedy has changed my life in profound ways. Over the past year, I have been battling depression, struggling to support others, keeping up with my school duties, and fighting not to lose my mind. My story is not unique. It reflects the silent battles many face across Africa and the world, particularly in environments where mental health is still misunderstood or ignored.Mental health, often overlooked in our culture, especially among men, continues to be stigmatized and marginalized. In many African societies, mental health conditions are perceived as personal weaknesses rather than legitimate illnesses. Cultural norms and traditions tend to dismiss emotional struggles as a lack of strength or resilience. This deeply ingrained stigma creates barriers for individuals suffering silently, making it difficult to seek help or discuss their struggles openly.Understanding mental well-being is crucial for changing this perspective. Mental well-being is broadly defined as an individual’s ability to cope with the normal stresses of everyday life. It includes managing responsibilities, maintaining relationships, and sustaining emotional balance. However, this definition may appear to oversimplify the complexities involved. Factors such as genetic predisposition, traumatic experiences, and socio-economic environments influence a person’s ability to cope. For instance, a family history of mental illness or experiencing significant life events—like the loss of a loved one, as I did—can greatly increase the risk of developing mental health conditions.Globally, depression and anxiety among children and adolescents are rising at alarming rates.

"Have you ever faced a mental health challenge or experienced loss that deeply affected your well-being? How did you cope, and what helped you most during that time?"

10/10/2025

🌍💚 Today is World Mental Health Day! Remember, you don’t have to face mental health challenges alone. There is hope and help available. Talking about mental health openly is a sign of strength, not weakness. 💬✨If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out can be the first step toward healing. You are not alone, and your story matters.👉 How do you take care of your mental well-being each day?
👉 What is one thing that helps you stay grounded during tough times?
👉 If comfortable, share a positive mental health tip that’s worked for you or someone you care about.Let’s support each other by sharing encouragement and understanding in the comments below. Together, we can break the stigma. 💪

08/10/2025

03/10/2025

Colon cancer is increasing among people under 55, and new research points to a surprising culprit: a bacterial toxin called colibactin that damages DNA. Scientists analyzing nearly 1,000 cancer genomes worldwide found that colibactin-related mutations are 3.3 times more common in patients under 40 than in those over 70. Alarmingly, these mutations often appear within the first decade of life, suggesting that some children may unknowingly begin a path toward cancer decades before symptoms arise.
Colibactin is produced by certain E. coli strains living in the gut. Experts believe modern lifestyle factors—such as antibiotics, processed foods, reduced breastfeeding, C-sections, and group childcare—may help these harmful bacteria settle in early. While exact causes are still being studied, this discovery is a major breakthrough in understanding why colon cancer is rising in younger populations.
Researchers are now developing stool tests to detect these DNA mutations early and exploring probiotics to remove colibactin-producing bacteria from the gut. Focusing on childhood gut health could transform cancer prevention strategies and provide a chance to intervene long before traditional screening begins.
This finding highlights the critical connection between gut microbiome and long-term health, showing that maintaining a healthy gut from an early age may be a key step in preventing serious diseases like colon cancer.

01/10/2025

Happy New Month, everyone! As we welcome October, it’s more than just a new month—it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about breast cancer and other types of cancer affecting many lives. This October, let’s also shine a light on pediatric cancers, which impact our children, and maternal cancers that affect mothers.

Join us this month as we:

Share vital information about common types of pediatric cancers, helping you recognize signs and understand early detection.

Raise awareness about maternal cancers and the importance of regular screenings for mothers.

Promote hope, support, and resources for families affected by cancer.

Together, we can make October a month of knowledge, prevention, and support. Let’s spread the word and stand united against cancer for everyone—from our little ones to our beloved mothers.

30/09/2025

Is social media helping or hurting your child? 🤔

From social connection to mental health risks, social media is a double-edged sword.

Explore the benefits, dangers, and safety tips: https://doi.org/10.62116/PNJ.2025.51.4.181

27/09/2025

🌟 Understanding Your Child's Play: Why "Creaming" Matters 🌟

Have you ever wondered why some children make sounds like creaming during play? It's not just fun—it's a crucial part of their development! Imaginative play, including sounds and expressions, helps kids grow emotionally, socially, and cognitively. It’s their way of exploring the world, communicating feelings, and building important brain skills.

But what if these sounds or behaviors seem intense or unusual?

👂 Sometimes, these could be signs of sensory sensitivities or traits linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Kids with sensory challenges might react strongly to sounds, lights, textures, or movements during play.

Want to support your child better? Here’s what to watch for during play:

🔊 Loud or repetitive noises that upset or excite them
💡 Sensitivity to bright or flickering lights
🤲 Reactions to certain textures or touch
👃 Strong reactions to smells or tastes
🤸 Movement or balance challenges like swinging or spinning

Noticing these sensory triggers can help you understand your child’s unique needs and find ways to encourage positive, joyful play.

💬 Do you notice any of these behaviors in your child? Share your experience or questions below — let's support each other on this journey!

👍 Like, share, and tag friends who might find this helpful!

26/09/2025

Despite some concerning headlines, there's no scientific evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism.

A landmark study involving 2.5 million children found no connection when researchers used the most reliable methods available. Paracetamol continues to be one of the safest pain relief options for pregnant women.

What's important to remember is that treating pain and fever during pregnancy is actually protective - untreated high fevers can pose real risks to both mother and baby that we know how to prevent.

"The quality evidence shows absolutely no increased autism risk, so families can feel confident," says Professor Craig Pennell, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Newcastle, Australia and co-director of HMRI’s Mothers and Babies Research Program.

Beyond the safety reassurance, these discussions also highlight something important about how we talk about autism. Dr Laura Roche, a University of Newcastle researcher from our Healthy Minds Research Program explains:
"These claims can reinforce the harmful idea that autism is a problem to be fixed, rather than a neurodiversity to be understood and supported. What can be fixed is how society responds to autistic people's different ways of thinking and being, and how we effectively support every autistic person to feel valued, respected, and safe."

Learn more about the science behind the headlines:
https://okt.to/nuZMf7

24/09/2025

24/09/2025

WHO statement on autism-related issues

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy.

Globally, nearly 62 million people (1 in 127) have autism spectrum disorder, a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain. Although awareness and diagnosis have improved in recent years, the exact causes of autism have not been established, and it is understood there are multiple factors that can be involved.

Extensive research has been undertaken over the past decade, including large-scale studies, looking into links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. At this time, no consistent association has been established.

WHO recommends that all women continue to follow advice of their doctors or health workers, who can help assess individual circumstances and recommend necessary medicines.
Any medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, and in line with advice from health professionals.

Also, a robust, extensive evidence base exists showing childhood vaccines do not cause autism. Large, high-quality studies from many countries have all reached the same conclusion. Original studies suggesting a link were flawed and have been discredited.
Since 1999, independent experts advising WHO have repeatedly confirmed that vaccines - including those with thiomersal or aluminum - do not cause autism or other developmental disorders.

Childhood vaccine schedules are developed through a careful, extensive and evidence-based process involving global experts and country input.
The childhood immunization schedule, carefully guided by WHO, has been adopted by all countries, and has saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. The schedule remains essential for the health and wellbeing of every child and every community. These schedules have continually evolved with science and now safeguard children, adolescents and adults against 30 infectious diseases.

Every vaccine recommendation by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), an independent advisory group to WHO, is grounded in rigorous review of evidence and carefully designed to offer the best protection against serious diseases and to be delivered when most needed.

When immunization schedules are delayed or disrupted, or altered without evidence review, there is a sharp increase in the risk of infection not only for the child, but also for the wider community.
Infants too young to be vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions are at greatest risk.

Autism and neurodevelopmental disorders are among priority mental health and neurological conditions being discussed at the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and mental health this Thursday, 25 September.
As a global community, we need to do more to understand the causes of autism and how best to care for and support the needs of autistic people and their families.

WHO is committed to advancing this goal working together with partners including autistic-led organizations and other organizations representing persons with lived experience.
WHO also stands with people who are living with autism and their families, a dignified community entitled to evidence-based considerations free of stigma.

22/09/2025

We are excited to announce the “Subcutaneous immunotherapy in oncology: Optimizing treatment delivery across care settings” symposium at ESMO - European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025 in Berlin.

Join us on 18 October 2025 from 12:00–13:30 CET at Oldenburg Auditorium, Hall 5.1

We’ll explore how subcutaneous (SC) immunotherapy is helping to reshape cancer care and may offer flexibility, improved patient comfort, and innovative delivery models across hospitals and outpatient clinics.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts in oncology nursing, pharmacy, and patient advocacy.

Join the conversation with:
Lena Sharp Theodoros Foukakis Christophe Bardin Zoe O'Neill
Racha Kussaibati

Find out more on our website: https://www.cancernurse.eu/eons-conference



Financial support provided by Bristol Myers Squibb

21/09/2025

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🌍 World Alzheimer’s Day 2025 – September 21 🌍

Today, we join millions around the globe to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, a condition affecting over 7 million people aged 65 and older in the U.S. alone—and many more worldwide. Alzheimer's is more than memory loss; it impacts families, caregivers, and communities deeply.

💡 Did You Know?

1 in 9 older adults aged 65+ has Alzheimer’s disease.

Deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased by 142% since 2000.

Women and minority populations are disproportionately affected.

By 2050, Alzheimer’s cases are projected to nearly double if no cure is found.

Caregiving costs and unpaid family care place heavy burdens on millions of households.

❤️ A Message to Families and Caregivers
If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one living with Alzheimer’s, you are not alone. Your love, patience, and resilience make an incredible difference every day. Remember to seek support, take moments for yourself, and cherish the strength in small, everyday acts of care.

📣 How You Can Help Today

Learn the early signs of Alzheimer’s and get early diagnosis.

Share accurate information to help reduce stigma around dementia.

Support caregivers by offering understanding and practical help.

Join local or online support groups to connect with others.

and to spread awareness.

Together, we can honor the resilience of those living with Alzheimer’s and their families, and support the vital research bringing hope for a cure.

💙 Let’s make every day count. 💙