Paediatricians and public health experts have issued a strong warning against giving injections to babies while they are asleep, citing significant risks that could lead to complications, including nerve damage and distress.
According to these medical professionals, administering injections during sleep can cause severe pain, discomfort, and involuntary muscle spasms. They emphasize that it is crucial to ensure that babies are awake and fully conscious before receiving any injections.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an injection as the act of administering a liquid, typically a drug, into a person’s body using a needle and syringe. The WHO also emphasizes that a safe injection should not harm the recipient, expose the provider to risk, or result in dangerous waste.
“Injections are a routine part of healthcare that most people will experience at some point in their lives. However, when administered improperly, injections intended to promote health can do the opposite,” the WHO notes.
In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, several physicians underscored the importance of ensuring a child is awake before an injection is given. They cautioned that if a baby is startled awake by an injection, they could experience shock or agitation, leading to distress, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
Dr. Tanimola Akande, an epidemiologist and professor of public health at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, advised strongly against administering injections to sleeping babies. Akande, who is also a former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, pointed out that such a practice could cause unnecessary distress and discomfort, increasing the risk of nerve injury if the injection is given incorrectly. He emphasized that the best practice is to administer injections while the child is awake to allow for proper monitoring of any adverse reactions, such as swelling or redness.
Similarly, Dr. Adefunke Babatola, a consultant paediatrician at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the critical concern of nerve injury when injections are administered to sleeping infants. She explained that improper injection techniques or incorrect site selection could lead to nerve damage, potentially resulting in long-term complications. “The injection site requires careful monitoring for signs of swelling, redness, or other adverse reactions. Administering the injection while the baby is asleep may hinder the ability to observe and manage these potential issues effectively,” Dr. Babatola explained.
She further noted that the sudden disturbance of an injection could cause a heightened reaction upon waking, including spasms. Waking up abruptly from sleep due to an injection could also cause significant distress for the baby, potentially leading to a shock-like reaction, exacerbating discomfort, and intensifying pain.
Dr. Rotimi Adesanya, a public health physician and medical director at the Federal College of Education, Akoka Medical Centre in Lagos, echoed these concerns. He emphasized the importance of waking a baby before an injection to ensure that the baby is fully conscious and responsive. “If a baby struggles during the procedure, there is a risk of nerve injury or other physical harm,” Dr. Adesanya warned. He added that the best practice involves having the mother hold the baby during the injection, ensuring the child is relaxed and safe. Additionally, checking the baby’s eyes for signs of illness such as jaundice or anaemia is crucial before administering an injection.
The consensus among these experts is clear: administering injections while a baby is asleep poses unnecessary risks and should be avoided. Ensuring the baby is awake and calm during the procedure is the safest approach, minimizing distress and allowing for immediate responses to any adverse reactions.
Source: https://punchng.com
