Homecoming With Toddlers? Expert Says Make Sure Children Are Healthy

JAKARTA - Head of the Coordination Work Unit (UKK) for Child Intensive Emergency and Care (ERIA) Dr. dr. Ririe Fachrina Malisie, Sp.A(K) asked parents to be more aware of several emergency conditions that may occur in children when going home using airplanes.

"Don't think, 'oh, if you take a safe plane,'. Not necessarily. So this homecoming modality, which may be widely used by the general public, can also cause emergency things," Ririe said, as reported by ANTARA.

If the baby and child are not in prime condition, including experiencing coughs and runny noses that are a bit heavy to difficulty breathing, Ririe reminded parents to be vigilant. The influence of height on oxygen conditions in the body, he explained, will cause or have an impact on emergency, one of which is hypoxia or lack of oxygen.

"If the child is actually starting to get unwell, his cough and runny nose is already heavy, his nose is clogged, while he has difficulty breathing oxygen, for example, then being taken on a long journey maybe 4 to 6 hours, let alone time-sharing, we must be aware of the occurrence of hypoxia," he said.

Ririe explained that lack of oxygen can cause the breath to decrease or even increase. Oxygen levels that are very lacking can also cause symptoms of convulsions. This condition needs to be watched out for considering that the emergency facilities on board have limitations.

He also reminded parents who carry babies, especially under the age of 3 months, must have special preparations before traveling by plane. Especially considering the decrease in oxygen saturation while on the plane.

In addition to hypoxia, other conditions that need to be watched out for are dysjarem syndrome which occurs due to changes in pressure around the body while at an altitude. This condition, said Ririe, can cause discomfort in the digestive tract, such as bloating to suddenly vomiting.

Some children who already have problems with the tuba eustachi or the earline must also be vigilant when deciding to use air transportation. According to Ririe, usually children in this case will experience complaints of ear pain when the plane takes off or when it lands.