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RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Under 12s should not drink slushies containing glycerol, HSE warns
Letting young children drink slush ice drinks, also known as slushies, is as bad for them as letting them consume antifreeze, according to Health Service Executive National Clinical Lead for Obesity, Professor Donal O'Shea. The warning comes in the wake of research from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) showing that consumption of the sweet frozen drink by those under the age of 12 could lead to a condition known as glycerol intoxication syndrome. The work, published in March, described 21 cases of children with glycerol intoxication syndrome. Prof O'Shea said people needed to be aware of the issue, and if slushies are consumed, it should be in moderation and only for older children. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Philip Boucher Hayes, he said the ingredient that prevents slushies from completely freezing - glycerol - was the original antifreeze used in cars to stop the water from freezing. While it is no longer used in cars, he said drinking too much glycerol in slushies, "especially for a young brain", is potentially very dangerous. "If you get too much glycerol into a young brain, it shrinks the brain a little bit, and it has been used in the past to treat swelling in the brain as a medical treatment, but a young brain then gets affected." He said people can then present with symptoms like confusion, headaches and nausea. Long-term consumption, the syndrome can cause unconsciousness and seizures, which can lead to serious long-term outcomes. He warned that no young child should consume the product. "If a kid does have a slushie and they say they like it and they want another one, they should certainly not have a couple of them back-to-back". He said that people do not associate a brightly coloured ice drink with negative health consequences for children. "The way these products are positioned and the way they're coloured, kids find them very attractive." Prof O'Shea said if a child was going to have a slushie, it should be one without glycerol, but these tended to have large amounts of sugar, which comes with a high calorie content. According to the Food Safety Authority (FSAI), glycerol or E422, is an approved additive in the EU used in slush ice drinks as a substitute or partial substitute for sugar. It is used because it helps maintain the slushy texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid. . After reaching that age, they advise people to exercise caution and moderation if they must consume slushies. Prof O'Shea said that he would like to see a very cautious approach to glycerol consumption under the age of 12. "It is an acute intoxication syndrome. Glycerol is an alcohol-like product, so you have acute intoxication with alcohol. "Terrible things happen while you are acutely unwell, like you fall and hit your head, then you are left with the long-term consequences, but then once the alcohol, in this case glycerol, is out of your system, you will be sitting up and you will be well again". He said that if you "wouldn't give a child under the age of seven or eight a glass of whiskey or a glass of wine", and so they really should not be having slushies.
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
HSE warns over u12s drinking slushies containing glycerol
The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Clinical Lead for Obesity, Professor Donal O'Shea, has said that letting young children drink slush ice drinks, also known as slushies, is as bad for them as letting them drink antifreeze. The warning comes in the wake of research from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) that showed that consumption of the sweet frozen drink by children under the age of 12 could lead to a condition known as glycerol intoxication syndrome. The work published in March by CHI described 21 cases of children with glycerol intoxication syndrome. Prof O'Shea said people needed to be aware of the issue, and if slushies are consumed, it should be in moderation and only for older children. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Philip Boucher Hayes, Prof O'Shea said the ingredient that prevents slushies from completely freezing - glycerol - was the original antifreeze used in cars to stop the water from freezing. While it is no longer used in cars, he said drinking too much glycerol in slushies, "especially for a young brain", is potentially very dangerous. "If you get too much glycerol into a young brain, it shrinks the brain a little bit, and it has been used in the past to treat swelling in the brain as a medical treatment, but a young brain then gets affected." He said people can then present with symptoms like confusion, headaches and nausea. Long-term consumption, the syndrome can cause unconsciousness and seizures, which can lead to serious long-term outcomes. He warned that no young child should consume the product. "If a kid does have a slushie and they say they like it and they want another one, they should certainly not have a couple of them back-to-back". He said that people do not associate a brightly coloured ice drink with negative health consequences for children. "The way these products are positioned and the way they're coloured, kids find them very attractive." Prof O'Shea said if a child was going to have a slushie, it should be one without glycerol, but these tended to have large amounts of sugar, which comes with a high calorie content. According to the Food Safety Authority (FSAI), Glycerol or E422, is an approved additive in the EU used in slush ice drinks as a substitute or partial substitute for sugar. It is used because it helps maintain the slushy texture by preventing the liquid from freezing solid. . After reaching that age, they advise people to exercise caution and moderation if they must consume slushies. Prof O'Shea said that he would like to see a very cautious approach to glycerol consumption under the age of 12. "It is an acute intoxication syndrome. Glycerol is an alcohol-like product, so you have acute intoxication with alcohol. "Terrible things happen while you are acutely unwell, like you fall and hit your head, then you are left with the long-term consequences, but then once the alcohol, in this case glycerol, is out of your system, you will be sitting up and you will be well again". He said that if you "wouldn't give a child under the age of seven or eight a glass of whiskey or a glass of wine", and so they really should not be having slushies.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Baby boy, 20 months, rushed to hospital after alleged assault in Dublin park
A baby boy was rushed to hospital after he was injured in an alleged assault at a Dublin park last week. Gardaí have launched an investigation following the alleged assault which took place in Thomastown Park, Sallynoggin, Dublin on Tuesday, July 22 at around 2:30pm. The child, who is 20 months old, was rushed to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin for treatment of their injuries. One man, aged in his 50s, was arrested and detained but has since been released without charge. Gardaí said investigations are ongoing. A Garda spokesperson told Dublin Live: "Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault that occurred in Thomastown Park, Sallynoggin, Dublin (on the) afternoon Tuesday 22 July, 2025 at approximately 2.30pm. "A male infant, 20 months, was injured during the incident and taken to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin for treatment. 'A male, aged in his 50s was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He has since been released without charge and investigations are ongoing." For more of the latest breaking news from the Irish Mirror check out our homepage by clicking here.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Victorious Kerry footballers bring Sam Maguire to sick kids at Children's Health Ireland in Temple Street
Fresh off their All-Ireland victory, Kerry stars visit CHI at Temple Street to share celebrations, smiles, and the Sam Maguire with delighted young patients Fresh from their impressive All-Ireland victory over Donegal on Sunday, some members of the Kerry senior football team took time out of their celebrations on Monday morning to go and visit young patients and staff at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street in Dublin. It's one of the most wholesome and wonderful traditions after every All Ireland final and despite it undoubtedly having been a late night for them, players Diarmuid O'Connor, Paul Murphy, Killian Spillane, Gavin White and Tadhg Morley were never going to miss the chance to take part were on hand bright and early to bring Sam Maguire with them. As part of their visit, they posed for photos and spent time with children, all of whom (despite many being from staunch hurling counties such as Tipperary and Clare) were delighted to get their hands on Sam, as well as answering any and all questions they had. The event was supported by Children's Health Foundation, which raises essential funds to support sick children and their families across CHI hospitals and urgent care centres. Their work includes funding life-saving equipment, supporting patients and parents, and enabling pioneering paediatric research. Children's Health Foundation was formed in 2019 following the merger of CMRF Crumlin and Temple Street Foundation, uniting under one banner to support all CHI locations in delivering world-class care to every child in need. Whether you're gathered in a packed pub, cheering along at home, or soaking up the atmosphere at Croke Park, we want to see your photos capturing the excitement, the county colours, and the celebrations of this All Ireland showdown *Your photo or video Where was your photo taken? (optional) *Your story *Your first name *Your last name *Your email Your telephone number (optional) By submitting any contribution to Mediahuis, you confirm that Mediahuis (and any of its group publications or syndicated partners) are free to use the uploaded photos, videos, and texts worldwide, without limitation and for the full duration of their copyright protection (including copying, distributing, (re)publishing, (re)broadcasting, exhibiting, exploiting, and otherwise using them through all possible channels, digital or physical). Mediahuis is entirely free to edit, (re)publish, (re)broadcast, and exploit the photos, videos, and texts as it sees fit. You also confirm that no compensation (in any form) is required by you in relation to your contribution. By submitting any contribution to Mediahuis you hereby warrant and confirm that: - your contribution is your own original work and does not infringe the copyright of any other person - your contribution does not contain any statements that are defamatory of any third party nor is it obscene, in breach of privacy, in contempt of court or in breach of any other statutory obligation - all relevant consents and permissions have been obtained from third parties where appropriate You also confirm that you will indemnify Mediahuis, without time limitation, against all possible claims and demands from third parties relating to your contribution including all fees, expenses, costs, and interest, out-of-court settlements and legal judgments, so that all adverse financial consequences will ultimately be borne entirely by you. You give your consent for the personal data provided to be processed for this editorial initiative by Contribly, on behalf of Mediahuis Ireland Limited, in accordance with our Privacy policy.
Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Dublin children's hospital ‘misplaces' child's record in ‘serious data-protection breach'
A Dublin children's hospital has had a 'serious data-protection breach' after a patient's healthcare record was 'misplaced', a memo sent to staff said. It comes in the same week as an unannounced inspection by the Data Protection Commission (DPC) following concerns about the accessibility of patient charts in a shared office at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) Tallaght . On Friday, Sarah Hartnett, data-protection officer at CHI , sent a memo to all staff members entitled 'misplaced healthcare records'. 'A healthcare record has recently been reported misplaced at CHI. Despite a thorough search process, the original record has not been recovered,' the memo said. READ MORE 'In accordance with our statutory obligations, this incident has been reported to the Data Protection Commission'. According to Ms Hartnett, this is a 'serious data-protection breach and a reminder of the critical importance of following all healthcare record procedures'. 'Staff must strictly comply with the HSE standards for healthcare records management and CHI data-protection policies'. Separately, the DPC carried out an unannounced inspection at CHI Tallaght last week on foot of a complaint. The inspection took place in a shared office for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) on the first floor of the hospital. It is understood the door to the shared office, containing hundreds of patient charts, was propped open – making it accessible to people walking by. When closed properly, the door is locked with a keypad. Dr Turlough Bolger, a consultant in emergency medicine, sent an email to staff at the hospital on Thursday morning, the day after the inspection. 'The report will be received in the coming weeks but they expressed concern regarding the number of charts in the room yesterday (approx 320 charts) and the amount of loose pages with patient details,' his email states. 'I expect that the recommendations will be wide-ranging and damaging to CHI at Tallaght.' Dr Bolger said he appreciates the 'hard work' made by staff to reduce the number of outstanding discharge charts in recent weeks, which has seen a 'significant reduction' from 900 to 600 charts. 'I have said repeatedly that there needs to be a sustainable approach to this issue. Ultimately, as the accountable officer in CHI at Tallaght, I am responsible for the overall situation regarding medical records.' Dr Bolger said as the accountable officer, he 'cannot rely on blitzes to clear backlogs as routine'. In order to clear the current backlog, Dr Bolger said he had requested that four NCHDs be allocated to discharges daily. He added that there was a need for 'an emphasis on the use of the confidential shredding bin for most of the loose pages'. A spokesman for the DPC confirmed a team carried out an inspection at CHI Tallaght last week. 'Enquiries relating to this inspection are ongoing at present,' the spokesman said. 'We are not in a position to provide any further comment at this time.' In relation to the unannounced inspection, a spokeswoman for CHI said a data breach 'has not been confirmed at this time' and the inspection related to a 'potential data breach'. 'Immediate measures have been taken to reduce any potential risk, including reinforcing physical safeguards and engaging directly with staff,' the spokeswoman said. 'Additional actions will follow, as appropriate, in line with our internal procedures and any recommendations issued by the DPC as part of its broader oversight.' The spokeswoman added that CHI is transitioning to a 'fully digital health records system and, once complete, this will significantly reduce reliance on paper charts'. CHI has faced significant public and political scrutiny in recent months, particularly in relation to the governance and oversight of its paediatric orthopaedic services.
