Anyone who flies with children should carry child-friendly medicines, because airlines are not prepared, according to a recent study is often sufficient for young patients. The main problem: First-aid Kits on Board are not always on the necessary treatments for the offspring, the researchers write in a study published in the journal “Annals of Emergency Medicine”.
“In almost 16 percent of medical emergencies in aircraft, children are affected, so that these are not rare incidents,” says lead author Alexandre Rotta from Duke University. Accordingly, takes statistically a child is seen pro 2000 flights medical help.
The scientists have evaluated 75.587 incidents between January 2015 to October 2016, received the medical Support Center in the United States. The centre has adopted in the period of emergency calls by 77 airlines from six continents. This accounted for around 35 percent of the commercial passenger air traffic in the world. In approximately 11,200 cases, children and young people under 19 years of age were affected.
Most often Nausea and vomiting occur
In most cases, not had to intervene according to the study, the cabin staff, if the parents had the medication to your child yourself. But also the medicines in the First aid boxes the airlines are not always suitable for children. So a small child cannot swallow the tablet, which is intended for a grown-up often, let alone the dosage tolerated.
“Both airlines, as well as parents should be the most common diseases aware of and be prepared to deal with them”, calls for Rotta. On Board there should also be information material, indicating the required amount of Medication for the respective weight of the children.
The tropical Institute recommends when traveling with small children, the following medicines in child-friendly dosage to take:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Conjunctival irritation
- Travel sickness
- Mosquito repellent
- Sun cream
- Disinfectant
- Depending on the country malaria funds
Questions Physicians and pharmacists can help. On this page, you can find also provide travel medical advice.
In the air, the little patients have to fight the authors of the study, the most commonly with Nausea or vomiting (33.9%). Other common complaints are fever or chills (22.2%), acute allergic reactions (5.5 percent), abdominal pain (4.7%) and gastro-intestinal upsets (4.5 percent).
The symptoms also Michael Sroka, head of the emergency ambulance at the airport in Frankfurt knows. “Typically, respiratory infections, Nausea, vomiting and General sickness,” says the physician. Would accidents, such as when you Play. The emergency ambulance at the airport in Frankfurt, as well as the rescue and emergency medical service of Fraport AG, to provide annually approximately 30,000 patients.
Most parents are well prepared for travelling with children, says Sroka. Many informed, for example, already before the trip, which vaccinations are necessary. In the case of a travel medical consultation, Doctors also give advice on what food is suitable for children, whether you should avoid, for example, only Cooked food and ice better.
Around 83 percent, and thus most of the medical emergencies could be resolved, the study authors reported that during the flight. At 16.5 percent, of treatment after landing was required, and in 0.5 percent of cases, the emergency resulted in a diversion of the aircraft.
Lufthansa said in response to the study, that the cabin crew should also be prepared for emergencies with children on Board. Also, medicines for children, for example, suppositories, are available on Board.
