Health Journal Online

Tag: Childs

  • Hospital Under Fire After Doctors Blame Parents for Child’s Condition — Later Revealed as Cancer

    Hospital Under Fire After Doctors Blame Parents for Child’s Condition — Later Revealed as Cancer

    A toddler’s heartbreaking death exposes NHS failings as doctors wrongly accused parents of causing a facial lump, delaying cancer diagnosis by months in a case reigniting debates on child protection protocols and medical accountability.

    Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd, just 19 months old, passed away on 9 August 2023 after a pea-sized mass discovered in January ballooned into aggressive soft tissue cancer, with her mother Kayleigh Reid alleging neglect through misdiagnosis and three-month waits.

    As investigations unfold into Russells Hall Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, families demand swifter scans and less hasty abuse assumptions to prevent such tragedies in the UK’s overburdened health system.

    Mum Spots Lump Sparking Urgent GP Referral

    Kayleigh Reid noticed a pea-sized lump on her daughter Delilah-Rai’s face while bathing her on 30 January 2023, prompting an immediate doctor’s visit the next day. The GP referred the one-year-old to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, suspecting non-accidental injury without initial scans, a move that left the family reeling from unfounded blame.

    This hasty assumption sidelined potential tumour checks, as Delilah-Rai awaited transfer to Birmingham Children’s Hospital amid growing parental distress.

    Doctors Misdiagnose Growth as Injury

    At Russells Hall on 9 May 2023, a CT scan revealed a paranasal cystic lesion, leading to an ENT specialist referral, but a three-month wait for Birmingham Children’s Hospital stalled progress until July.

    A biopsy on 16 July 2023 initially diagnosed desmoid fibromatosis as non-cancerous on 30 July, cancelling scheduled surgery on 5 August, only for tests to confirm aggressive soft tissue cancer days later.

    Kayleigh Reid later stated, ‘With so many delays and misdiagnoses throughout, I believe the NHS neglected her and didn’t give her the care she deserved.’

    Cancer Ravages Toddler as Condition Declines

    Delilah-Rai’s condition deteriorated swiftly post-diagnosis, with the tumour spreading aggressively, and she passed away peacefully at home on 9 August 2023, days after her 19-month milestone.

    The ‘sweetest’ and ‘cheekiest’ girl, known for her loving nature, endured unnecessary pain from postponed interventions, as her mother believes earlier action could have improved survival odds. X post from The Sun Health on 13 September 2025 captured public outrage: ‘Girl, 1, dies of cancer after docs ‘assumed facial lump was caused by parents’.



    Hospitals Launch Internal Reviews

    Both The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust initiated reviews on 12 September 2025, vowing to share findings with the family and implement learnings to avoid future errors.

    Diane Wale, chief executive at Dudley Group, expressed, ‘On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Delilah’s family. We will look into the issues raised and speak with Delilah’s family to better understand the circumstances surrounding this sad loss.’ Kayleigh Reid is pursuing legal action against the trusts, supported by a GoFundMe raising funds for awareness.

    Mother’s Campaign Raises Alarm Delays, Missteps

    Kayleigh, reflecting on her ‘very very loving’ daughter, aims to spotlight desmoid fibromatosis and soft tissue cancers affecting young children, urging faster diagnostics amid 1,800 annual UK under-five cases. She affirmed, ‘Going forward I wish to raise more awareness for this cruel disease, but I also want the NHS held accountable for their part they played in my daughter’s passing.’

    Birmingham Trust spokesperson added, ‘The Trust would like to offer Delilah-Rai’s family our deepest sympathies… An internal review is now under way.’ This case, resurfacing on 12 September 2025, underscores urgent calls for reformed referral timelines, with experts noting abuse suspicions can eclipse medical urgency in 20% of paediatric assessments.

    Families like the Reids highlight how such oversights compound grief, pushing for mandatory rapid imaging in lump cases. As probes progress, Kayleigh’s resolve ensures Delilah-Rai’s story drives systemic change, preventing other parents from enduring similar heartbreak in Britain’s strained NHS landscape.

    Originally published on IBTimes UK

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  • You Probably Do This Every Day- But Experts Warn It’s Harming Your Child’s Development

    You Probably Do This Every Day- But Experts Warn It’s Harming Your Child’s Development

    You ask your child to put the phone down, concerned about the effects of too much screen time on their developing brain. But what if the problem is not just their habits, but yours?

    New research suggests that it is not enough to simply limit a child’s screen time, but the way parents use technology around their children can influence a child’s cognitive development, emotional well-being, and even how much time kids themselves spend on screens.

    Many parents scroll through their phones during mealtime or playtime, often without thinking twice. But this seemingly harmless habit is creating a growing disruption known as “phubbing”, when technology gets in the way of face-to-face connection.

    Since young children rely on their parents’ attention and responsiveness to feel secure, explore their world, and develop emotionally, when this connection is interrupted, it can quietly affect their healthy development, suggests the researchers of the latest study published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

    The researchers evaluated over 6,000 studies on how parents use technology around their young children and further narrowed it down to include only studies that focused on healthy children from birth to about 5 years old. These studies explored how a parent’s use of phones or other devices in front of their child, called parental technology use (PTU), might be linked to factors such as the child’s brain development, emotional health, movement skills, screen time, sleep, and physical activity.

    The findings revealed that when parents use technology around their young children, it is linked to lower cognitive development, higher internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and weaker attachment. Children also spent more time on screens. The effects were consistent regardless of the type of technology used.

    “Parents’ use of technology in their child’s presence was negatively associated with cognitive and psychosocial outcomes and screen time among young children, although the effect sizes were small. Further research focusing on potential impacts on physical activity, sleep, and motor skills is needed,” the researchers concluded.

    The researchers stress that these findings do not mean technological devices are “inherently harmful,” as they can be useful tools for parents. However, managing how and when devices are used around children could help reduce possible negative effects. One helpful approach may be co-viewing or co-using devices with children, which has been “positively associated with cognitive outcomes” in early childhood.

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  • What Repeated Antibiotic Use Could Be Doing To Your Child’s Health

    What Repeated Antibiotic Use Could Be Doing To Your Child’s Health

    Antibiotics have long been hailed as life-saving medications, helping the body fight everything from mild colds to life-threatening infections like pneumonia. However, researchers now caution that repeated use of antibiotics, especially during early childhood, may come at a cost.

    In a new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, researchers tried to investigate how antibiotic use might be connected to the development of chronic health conditions in children. To do this, they analyzed health records from more than one million babies in the United Kingdom, tracking diagnoses of various long-term pediatric conditions up to the age of 12.

    The researchers found that frequent antibiotic exposure in children could disrupt the delicate balance of gut microbes, setting the stage for a range of allergic conditions later in life, including asthma, food allergies, and hay fever. The study also noted a connection between antibiotic use and the risk for intellectual disabilities, but researchers cautioned that further studies are needed to confirm these associations.

    “Antibiotics play a critical role in combatting bacterial infections, but physicians should be judicious when prescribing antibiotics to children under 2, as frequent use may affect long-term health outcomes,” said Daniel Horton, the lead author of the study in a news release.

    However, the study also found that not all pediatric health conditions were linked to antibiotic use. For example, there was no significant association between antibiotics and the risk of developing autoimmune diseases like celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Similarly, the researchers found no strong links to neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

    The link between antibiotics use and health risk was also found to be course depended, meaning, more courses of antibiotics children took, the stronger the risk. Even when comparing siblings where one took antibiotics early and the other did not the results were similar, which makes the findings more reliable.

    “Antibiotics are important and sometimes life-saving medicines, but not all infections in young kids need to be treated with antibiotics. Parents should continue to consult with their children’s doctors on the best course of care,” said Horton, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers School of Public Health.

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  • Raising Happy Kids: Proven Tips to Boost Your Child’s Happiness

    Raising Happy Kids: Proven Tips to Boost Your Child’s Happiness

    Raising Happy Kids: Proven Tips to Boost Your Child’s Happiness

    As parents, there’s no greater joy than seeing our children grow and thrive. But have you ever wondered how to help them develop a sense of happiness and well-being? Research shows that happy kids tend to perform better academically, form healthy relationships, and develop coping mechanisms to handle life’s challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to raise happy kids, backed by scientific evidence.

    Understanding the Foundation of Happiness

    Before diving into the tips, it’s essential to understand what makes children happy. Children’s happiness stems from a combination of factors, including:

    1. Physical Well-being: When children are physically healthy, they’re better equipped to regulate their emotions and handle stress.

    2. Social Connections: Children thrive in social environments with positive relationships with family, friends, and peers.

    3. Emotional Intelligence: As children develop emotional awareness, they learn to manage their emotions and develop resilience.

    4. Mental Health: Children who have a sense of purpose and a positive self-image tend to be happier.

    5. Sense of Autonomy: Giving children choices and involving them in decision-making can increase their feelings of control and independence.

    Tip 1: Foster Positive Parent-Child Relationships

    One of the most significant factors contributing to a child’s happiness is their relationship with their parents. When parents demonstrate affection, approval, and involvement in their child’s life, it can create a sense of security and attachment.

    • Show physical affection like hugs, kisses, and cuddles.

    • Display genuine interest in your child’s life by asking open-ended questions and listening actively.

    • Encourage your child’s thoughts and feelings by acknowledging and validating their emotions.

    Tip 2: Encourage Outdoor Play

    Regular outdoor play is essential for children’s overall happiness and development. Being outdoors has been shown to:

    • Reduce stress levels

    • Boost self-esteem

    • Improve problem-solving skills

    • Enhance creativity

    • Set aside time each day for outdoor play, even if it’s just a quick trip to the park or backyard.

    • Engage in play yourself, promoting family bonding and activity.

    • Make sure your child has access to nature, either in your own backyard or by exploring nearby parks or trails.

    Tip 3: Support Social Skills

    Positive social connections are crucial for a child’s happiness. To encourage social skills, try:

    • Encouraging friendships through playdates or social activities

    • Modeling empathetic behavior, like active listening and understanding

    • Teaching your child conflict resolution strategies and empathy towards others

    • Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities that foster social skills

    Tip 4: Encourage Creative Expression

    Children need opportunities to express themselves creatively to develop confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem.

    • Provide various art supplies and encourage your child to explore and express themselves

    • Engage in creative activities yourself, demonstrating a love for the arts and music

    • Attend concerts, shows, and cultural events with your child

    • Encourage role-playing and imagination through pretend play

    Tip 5: Foster a Sense of Purpose

    When children have a sense of purpose, they feel more grounded and motivated.

    • Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities or clubs that align with their interests

    • Help your child set realistic goals and track their progress

    • Praise their efforts and achievements, celebrating their successes

    Tip 6: Model Emotional Intelligence

    As children grow, they learn by observing. By modeling emotional intelligence yourself, you’re teaching your child essential skills:

    • Recognize and label emotions, both in yourself and your child

    • Demonstrate effective emotional regulation by expressing and managing emotions in a healthy way

    • Encourage open communication by validating and addressing emotions

    Tip 7: Practice Positive Reinforcement

    Focusing on the positive can help shift a child’s outlook, promoting a more optimistic mindset.

    • Recognize and acknowledge positive behaviors and achievements

    • Praise efforts rather than results to encourage resilience

    • Show gratitude and appreciation for your child’s contributions to the family

    Conclusion

    Raising happy kids requires effort, patience, and understanding of what contributes to their overall well-being. By following these scientifically-backed tips, you can foster a sense of happiness and self-confidence in your child. Remember, every child is unique, and it’s essential to adapt these strategies to your child’s individual needs and personality.

    FAQs

    Q: What if my child is having trouble making friends?

    A: Encourage participation in social activities, model empathy and friendly behavior, and provide opportunities for role-playing to develop social skills.

    Q: How do I handle a tantrum without feeling frustrated or guilty?

    A: Remain calm, validating your child’s emotions while also setting clear boundaries and consequences. Apologize if necessary, but avoid making promises you can’t keep.

    Q: How can I make sure my child is developing emotionally intelligent?

    A: Recognize and label emotions, encourage open communication, and model healthy emotional regulation yourself. Encourage empathy, self-awareness, and conflict resolution skills through discussions and activities.

    Q: What’s the most effective way to communicate with my child?

    A: Active listening is key – focus on your child’s thoughts, feelings, and needs while avoiding criticism and blame. Respond in a clear and respectful manner, acknowledging their perspectives.

    Q: Can a child’s happiness be improved by changing my parenting style?

    A: Absolutely! As children grow, their needs evolve, and adapting to their changing requirements can significantly improve their happiness and overall well-being.

    By embracing these tips and approaches, you’ll be well on your way to raising a happy, resilient, and thriving child.