J Gaspà Martí | PubMed Health

PubMed2002

[Domestic humidifiers. What do we know about them?].

Popular opinion assumes that environmental humidity relieves the clinical symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. Various types of home humidifiers are available on the market. Parents buy them in the belief that they will improve their children's well-being but are usually unaware of whether these devices provide a real benefit. Pediatricians should bear the main responsibility in the task of informing and guiding families in the use of home humidifiers but general lack of knowledge on the subject and the scarcity of published data make this task difficult. The aim of this review is to increase general knowledge of home humidifiers. We describe what they are, their main types, their basic functioning, advantages and disadvantages and the importance of suitable maintenance. We define what environmental humidity means, how it can change according to temperature and how it can influence human health. Finally, we suggest that optimal relative humidity is approximately 40-60 % and that it should be measured before using a home humidifier.

Consumer Product Safety↗

PubMed2000

[Pacifier use: risks and benefits].

The use of a dummy as a comforting object in childhood is widespread in civilized societies. The advisability of this practice, as well as the shape, material, or time of use of these objects, is controversial. Data on the possible beneficial effects of these objects are numerous, but there is also a long list of disorders which have been associated with their use. Their soothing effect is the most widely recognized beneficial effect and the possible relationship with a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome is the newest. The most important risks of this nonnutritive sucking habit are failure of breastfeeding, dental deformities, recurrent acute otitis media, and the risk of accidents. The development of latex allergy, tooth decay, oral ulcers and sleep disorders are other possible problems. The association with a lower intelligence quotient is disputed. Insufficient data are provided by a review of the pros and the cons of dummy use to encourage or discourage this habit. However, there are sufficient data on which to base firm recommendations such as not starting their use in the first days of life, restricting use after the age of 8 months and withdrawing these objects at the age of 1 year. Pediatricians should be aware of and recommend only dummies that meet safety requirements.

Acute Disease↗