Child development issues
The golden period for a child's brain development?
In a knowledge-based economy, the greatest asset is a sharp mind. Many parents believe that various forms of prenatal education and preschool training classes can enhance their child's intelligence and contribute to their future development. However, they often overlook that a healthy body is the crucial foundation for brain development.
The golden periods for the development of children's brain and nerves are mainly in two stages: the embryonic period and from birth to three years old. If the brain is injured during these times, it often causes irreversible damage to future brain development. What exactly is brain injury? Some external injuries, such as falls and shaken baby syndrome, can directly physically harm the brain, but infectious diseases like meningococcal meningitis should not be overlooked.
Meningococcal meningitis infection is not uncommon in Hong Kong, with children falling ill every year. The tricky part is that the early symptoms are very similar to the common cold, but it spreads extremely quickly, and can be fatal within 24 hours. It is spread through droplets and bodily fluids. After infection, a fever develops, followed by confusion and a stiff neck. In the later stages, purple spots may even appear on the skin. Even if one survives, the brain can be damaged by the bacteria, leading to long-term problems such as slow intellectual development, intellectual disability, or even hearing loss.
Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent meningococcal meningitis, which has been included in national vaccination programmes in mainland China and European and American countries. However, in Hong Kong, parents must pay for the vaccination themselves. There are currently two types of meningococcal vaccines available in Hong Kong. The older vaccine can only be administered to children over 2 years of age, meaning that the golden period of their brain development is not fully protected. The newer quadrivalent vaccine can be administered as early as 9 months of age, allowing children to receive protection earlier and reduce the risk of infection.
Source: iMoney Magazine
