Top doctors have revealed the everyday things they would never let their children do because of the health risks.
Dr Shilpa Dass, a child neurologist based out of New Jersey, filmed nine of her friends and family who are highly specialized physicians as they revealed what is on their banned lists as parents.
She also added her own no-no.
One pediatric anesthesiologist revealed she would never let her child eat grapes without cutting them up first because of the choking risk it poses.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust warns young children can choke to death on whole grapes as ‘the size and shape of grapes means they can completely plug a child’s airway’.’
The charity adds: ‘And the tight seal produced by the grape’s smooth surface makes them difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques.’
It recommends cutting up grapes for children up to five, as ‘they have small airways that can easily be blocked by a grape’.
In the US, at least one child dies from choking on food every five days.
Next up, another one of Dr Dass’ house guests – a neurosurgeon – says he would never let his son ride an ATV because ‘the risk for a traumatic brain injury is too high’.
Dr. Shilpa Dass, who is a child neurologist based out of New Jersey, filmed nine of her medical friends as they revealed what is on their banned list as parents
Between 2012 and 2021, there were an estimated 67,957 ATV-related head injuries in the US involving children.
The most common types of head injuries sustained from ATVs are concussions and closed head injuries that don’t break the skull, followed by fractures.
According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, there are more than 11,000 non-fatal ATV/UTV-related injuries in children and teens every year.
Of those injuries, 15 percent require a hospital stay.
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest report, from 2018 through 2020, there were 2,448 deaths in the US associated with off-highway vehicles, which includes all-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles.
ATVs accounted for more than two-thirds of the deaths. Nearly 300 deaths were among children under the age of 16.
Dr Dass’ gastroenterologist friend says he would never let his kids play with toys that come with button batteries.
A Consumer Reports investigation recently uncovered alarming safety risks for children and toys and household products powered by button cell and coin cell batteries.
CR evaluated 31 items, including a number of toys, and found almost one in three of the products had dangerously accessible button batteries.
Many more lacked clear warnings about the severe health hazards these batteries pose.
The consumer nonprofit notes button batteries are not just a choking hazard for kids but they ‘can also cause life-threatening injuries like severe chemical burns and poisoning if ingested’.
Between 2011 and 2021, an estimated 54,300 emergency room visits and at least 25 deaths were attributed to button battery exposure, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
An estimated 78 percent of these incidents involved children aged six or younger.
Next up, an OB/GYN says she would never let her children go to school without teaching them about periods and birth control.
Only half of young people in the US are getting sex education that meets minimum standards, according to one Rutgers study.
This lack of awareness can lead to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
A Consumer Reports investigation recently uncovered alarming safety risks for children in toys and household products powered by button cell and coin cell batteries
Meanwhile, Dr Dass’ orthopedic spine surgeon friend says he would never own an in-home trampoline.
The Mayo Clinic reports more than 800,000 children sustained trampoline injuries in the US between 2009 and 2018, and most of these occurred at the children’s own homes.
Of these injuries, 34 percent were long bone fractures in the lower and upper extremities.
Radius and ulna fractures were the most common – ‘usually the result of a fall on an outstretched hand’.
Moving to another part of the body, Dr Dass’ friend who is an eye care specialist says she would never let her child sleep in contact lenses.
The Michigan Eye Institute warns wearing contact lenses while you sleep increases the risk of eye infection which can lead to vision loss and permanent scarring.
Studies show that contacts overnight increases the risk by over five times, regardless of the type of lens used.
Another physician who specializes in obesity medicine says she would never let her children feel guilty about their food choices.
Research shows food guilt can result in anxiety, shame, and disordered eating.
Sonya Islam, a registered dietitian at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, suggests various strategies for helping kids and teens develop a positive relationship with food.
She says it is important to enjoy preparing and eating meals as a family, to develop healthy food routines, and to avoid labeling foods as good or bad.
Another of her strategies is to focus on a healthy lifestyle, not dieting.
Another person at Dr Dass’ gathering, who works as an internist, reveals in the video he would would make sure his kids would ‘never text and drive’ because of the risk of deadly car crashes, while a cardiologist who features in the clip says he would never let his kids vape.
The non-profit, Nemours Children’s, warns that the health risks of vaping include addiction, sleep problems, anxiety and depression and there is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men.
It also notes that ‘young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future’.
Lastly, after working for many years as a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, Dr Dass – who has two young children herself – says she would never let them go to a sleepover because of the risk of sexual abuse and injury in the care of others.
She explains in the comment section: ‘Don’t come at me about mine. Yes, this is something I used to do as a child but I’ve seen way too much in my line of work!’
Many commenters, who also work in the medical field and as lawyers, agreed with Dr Dass on this point.
One wrote: ‘As clinical psychologist, I would never let my kids go to sleepovers and also keep an eye on older kids around them.
‘Plus teach them about consent and bodily autonomy.’
