Latest news with #Paediatrics
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Teenage girls' TikTok skincare regimes offer little to no benefit, research shows
Skincare regimes demonstrated by young influencers on TikTok offer little to no benefit, researchers have found, adding that on the contrary they raise the risk of skin irritations and lifelong allergies in children. The team behind the study say there has been a rise in young girls sharing videos of complex skincare routines with moisturisers, toners, acne treatments and anti-ageing products. In the first study of its kind, researchers analysed such videos on the plaftorm and found the regimes are not only laborious – some girls wake up as early as 4.30am to fit in their routines – but pricey, unnecessary and potentially harmful. 'The risks associated with using these products, especially in young girls, far outweighs whatever marginal benefit you may get from using the active ingredients,' said Dr Molly Hales, the first author of the research from Northwestern University. Hales added that while social media can be a place for playfulness and self-expression, young girls do not need such regimes. 'The danger is when girls get the message that this is something that they have to do to take care of their skin and to protect their health,' she said. 'These products don't increase the health of your skin and they probably worsen your skin integrity over time.' Instead she said a gentle cleanser once or twice a day and the application of sunscreen is sufficient. Writing in the journal Paediatrics, Hales and colleagues report how they created two TikTok accounts, purportedly for 13-year-olds and, and accumulated a sample of 100 skincare routines videos filmed by young people. The team found all but one of the 82 creators were girls, and their age ranged from seven to 18 years old. 'Almost all content creators had clear, light skin without visible blemishes,' the researchers write, adding the videos 'made frequent reference to aspirational beauty ideals that may be tied to whiteness'. The study reveals the skincare regimes involved six products on average, often from the same brands, with a total average cost of $168 (£124). However, some involved more than a dozen products with a total cost of more than $500 (£369). 'Get Ready With Me' videos were the most common, followed by 'Skin Care Routine' and 'After School' skincare routine videos. The team found many of the ingredients in the featured products, such as citric acid, carry a risk of skin irritation and sun sensitivity – meaning they increase the chance of sunburn and other skin damage. Yet only 26% of the 84 videos showing daytime skincare routines included a sunscreen – something that authors called 'a significant missed opportunity'. Hales added the use of products with multiple active ingredients, or layering products with the same active ingredients, increases the risk of skin irritation. The researchers found that among the 25 top-viewed videos, 76% contained at least one potential contact allergen – often fragrance. Prof Tess McPherson of the British Association of Dermatologists, who was not involved in the work, said the study was important, backing up anecdotal reports of an increase in young people attending clinics with skin irritation. 'We're certainly seeing a huge increase in people wanting something they call perfect or flawless skin, which we know is unachievable [and] unhelpful – it doesn't make people happy,' she said. McPherson added she is aware of young people asking for birthday money to put towards expensive skincare products, many of which are now being targeted at young girls through appealing packaging. As well as the risks highlighted by the study, McPherson said the skincare videos contribute to an increase in stigma around conditions such as acne and eczema as well as a fear of ageing, a message she said was reinforced by women embracing Botox and fillers. 'Younger and younger children are seeking skincare products when they don't need them, they're not helpful,' she said. 'This is a very concerning statement on society and how we view how skin should look.'
Medscape
28-05-2025
- General
- Medscape
Guide Helps Assess Child Abuse–Related Head Injury
The Child and Youth Maltreatment Section of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has released a new Practice Point for the assessment of children with suspected traumatic head injury related to child maltreatment (THI-CM). This type of injury 'is not rare and frequently results in significant morbidity for the child and family,' the CPS told Medscape Medical News in email correspondence. 'Healthcare providers have important roles to play,' according to the new guidance. These include 'identifying and treating these children, reporting concerns of child maltreatment to child welfare authorities, assessing for associated injuries and medical conditions, supporting children and their families, and communicating medical information clearly to families and other medical, child welfare, and legal professionals.' The Practice Point was published online in Paediatrics & Child Health. 'Red Flags' Although no single injury is pathognomonic for CM, there are several 'red flags' that should prompt a healthcare provider to consider THI-CM, the CPS said. 'These include elements of the history, clinical presentation, and radiographic findings.' Red flags in the history include: No history of a traumatic event Reported mechanism of injury that is incompatible with the injury Injury event incompatible with the child's development Unexplained or unreasonable delay in presenting for medical care Repeated unexplained symptoms suggestive of head injury Red flags in the clinical presentation include: Head injury with apnea Intracranial injury and seizures Intracranial injury and retinal hemorrhages Red flags in the radiographic findings include: Subdural hemorrhages (intracranial, spinal) Cerebral ischemia, often multifocal Cerebral edema Rib fractures Classic metaphyseal fractures (corner or 'bucket handle' fractures in infants) Absent or incompatible history of trauma and: Skull fracture with intracranial injury Long bone fracture(s) with intracranial injury CPS also noted that the term THI-CM 'was chosen through an iterative process to reflect the current language (traumatic head injury) used by health professionals, separated from the opinion on the cause of the injury (level of concern for child maltreatment).' The terms 'shaken baby syndrome,' 'abusive head trauma,' 'non-accidental head injury,' and 'inflicted traumatic brain injury' are no longer recommended for use in Canada, they added. What to Do When Abuse Is Suspected If clinicians are concerned that CM may have occurred, they should approach the case with an open mind, be aware of possible bias, and have compassion for the child and family, according to the Practice Point. Other recommendations include: The patient's medical needs should be managed first, but medicolegal steps should also be considered. Clinicians need to recognize that the differential diagnosis for injuries includes trauma, medical conditions, mimics of injury, or any combination of these. During the physical examination, clinicians should be especially vigilant for seizures, which are common in infants who have sustained a symptomatic head injury due to maltreatment. Laboratory testing can be conducted to assess medical status, screen for unseen injuries, and evaluate for possible medical disorders. A CT scan of an infant or child's head is the neuroimage of first choice, and MRI is an appropriate alternative or adjunct in some cases. Provincial and territorial laws require that clinicians report any concerns of possible CM to their local child welfare agency. The Practice Point also stated that a pediatrician specialized in CM 'can help guide clinical assessment and communication with families, healthcare professionals, child welfare, and law enforcement.' Consultation with other specialists, including critical care, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, neurology, orthopedics, endocrinology, hematology, genetics, and rehabilitation, 'can assist as needed.' Notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP's) guidance mirrors that of the CPS, Suzanne Haney, MD, professor of child abuse pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Children's Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, told Medscape Medical News. Suzanne Haney, MD Like the CPS, the AAP does not use the term 'shaken baby syndrome' to describe suspected head trauma due to abuse, she said. 'Instead, we use the term 'abusive head trauma.' Sometimes these kids are shaken, sometimes they're slammed, sometimes shaken and slammed, we don't necessarily know exactly what the forces are, but we do know that it's abusive and was done by someone.' Similar to the new Canadian guidance, Haney suggested advocating for the involvement of a child abuse expert when faced with a situation that suggests CM. 'Studies have shown that when you involve somebody with expertise, you are more likely to get the right diagnosis,' she said. 'Most major medical centers have a child abuse pediatrician, although unfortunately our numbers are far too small. We do have a number of colleagues who may not be board-certified but have a special interest or expertise in this area. So if clinicians can identify somebody in their area who has a special interest in child maltreatment, they can be very helpful.'
