Sudden cardiac ('heart related') death in young athletes
Sudden death in young athletes is very uncommon but a tragedy when it occurs. In over 90 per cent of cases it is heart-related and about half of these are familial (inherited). Prevention relies on investigating at risk children / adolescents. These include:
- Children / adolescents with a history of:
- chest pain or discomfort on exertion
- excessive shortness of breath of fatigue with exercise
- unexplained shortness of breath
- known heart murmur or arrhythmia
- elevated blood pressure
- syncope (loss of consciousness) or near syncope. This is an important symptom but is relatively common in young people, with about 15 per cent of young people experiencing one episode. Syncope is especially concerning if it is associated with any of the following:
- the absence of a trigger (such as standing)
- occurring during exercise or while swimming
- palpatations or chest pain
- a brief seizure-like event
- a family history of early cardiac death
- Children / adolescents with a family medical history of:
- premature death related to heart disease
- disability due to heart disease in a young relative (under 50 yrs)
- a specific heat problem
This list is meant to give a guide to symptoms that need investigation. Anyone worried about an illness or medical event that occurred to a young athlete should seek medical attention promptly.
See separate sections for the following topics
Infectious disease prevention
Developmental milestones in children
Dental health
Preventing and addressing anxiety disorders in children - An important parenting issue
Driver safety and teenagers
Further information on parenting
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
This hospital is one of the two main paediatric teaching hospitals in Sydney. Its web site (www.chw.edu.au/parents) is a great source of information on children’s health topics. It provides fact sheets about many child health issues that are free and downloadable and lists books on most child health topics that have been assessed by members of the medical staff at the hospital. These books are available for purchase from the Kids Health Bookshop at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Phone 02 – 9845 3585) or they can be purchased via the ‘e-shop’ on the web site. Any profits go into supporting the work of the hospital.
Some suggested books on parenting children
Every parent. A positive approach to children’s behaviour by Matthew R Sanders, PhD.
More Secrets Of Happy Children by Steve Biddulph
Raising Kids- A parent’s survival guide by Charles Watson, Dr Susan Clarke and Linda Walton.
Bully Busting by Evelyn M. Field
Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
Your Child's Self Esteem by Dorothy Corkhille Briggs
(All these books and many more appear in the ‘self esteem, behaviour and family life’ section of the books section in parents section of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead web site. (www.chw.edu.au/parents/kidshealth/books/#) There is information about each book on the web site; just click over the title.) Better still, for parents able to visit the hospital, most of the books are available to view and there will be someone there to help with book selection.)
Some suggested books on parenting adolescents
What to do when your children turn into teenagers by Dr D. Bennett and Dr Leanne Rowe (This is a wonderful book that is unfortunately now out of print. Second hand copies may still be available.)
You can't make me by Dr D. Bennett and Dr Leanne Rowe
I just want you to be happy. Preventing and tackling teenage depression. by Professors Leanne Rowe, David Bennett and Bruce Tonge. Published by Allen and Uwin, 2009.
Puberty boy by Geoff Price
Puberty girl by Shushann Movsessian
The puberty book by Wendy Darvill and Kelsey Powell
Teen esteem by Dr P. Palmer and M. Froehner
Most children suffer anxieties at some time and another book (not on the above list) that is very useful for parents is - Helping your anxious child. A step by step guide for parents. by Rapee, R., Spence, S., Cobham, V. and Wignall, A.New Harbinger, 2000.
The Resilience Doughnut parenting program to help build child resilience
The Resilience Doughnut Program is outlined in a book published by Lyn Worsley, which can be purchased through her website: www.lynworsley.com.au (The cost is about $30)
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
www.triplep.net.
Child and Youth Health
Parenting and child and youth health; links to research updates; telephone helps lines for parents and youth.
www.cyh.com
Further information on sexual health
Sexual health information
www.shinesa.org.au
Family Planning Australia
www.fpahealth.org.au
The Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention web site
(A good USA site that provides information and skills for both adolescents and for educators about preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies.)
www.etr.org/recapp
Further reading regarding teenager sexual health
Sexwise by Dr Janet Hall. Published by Random House Australia.
(What every young person and parent should know about sex. Dr Hall empowers her readers by telling them the facts - and giving it to them straight.)
Unzipped by Bronwyn Donaghy. Published by Harper Collins
(A book that deals frankly and sympathetically with the crucial role that love and emotions play in every aspect of adolescent sexuality.)
Further titles regarding puberty and adolescent sexuality are available on the Children’s Hospital at Westmead web site. www.chw.edu.au/parents/books. (Both the above books are mentioned on this web site and are recommended by staff at this hospital.)