Seek Medical Attention Immediately if Child Ingests E-Cigarette Vape: Brief Exposure to Nicotine can Harm Child's Brain (UAE)
Parents in the UAE are being urged to be extra vigilant, especially when it comes to vaping devices, after a three-year-old child recently inhaled from an unattended vape. This incident highlights the dangerous consequences that can occur when these devices are not properly secured, and the importance of keeping them out of reach of children.
Social media posted about the incident describe how the family rushed their child to the hospital after finding the child had accessed and used the vape. Medical professionals took swift action and even consulted Poison Control UAE to ensure comprehensive care.
Doctors stress that even brief nicotine exposure through vaping can impact a child's brain development, particularly in the early years. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even brief exposure may affect cognitive development and attention mechanisms.
Dr Seher Kamal, a specialist pediatrician at Aster Clinic, Dubai, said, "As a specialist pediatrician practicing in the UAE, I understand how frightening this situation can feel for parents. When a curious three-year-old gets hold of a vaping device, it's natural to feel alarmed. The immediate effects, such as coughing, dizziness, or upset stomach, occur because their little bodies process nicotine differently than adults do."
Modern vaping devices pose particular risks for toddlers' developing brains. Nicotine toxicity in toddlers becomes concerning at doses of around 0.5-1 mg/kg body weight. For a toddler weighing 15 kg, this translates to approximately 7.5-15 mg of nicotine - a quantity easily delivered by modern vape devices.
"Even brief contact can deliver concerning doses," said Dr Kamal. However, she reassured that "Recent clinical data from pediatric emergency departments, including research published in Pediatric Emergency Care(2024), shows that most accidental exposures involve minimal absorption due to children's natural aversion to the taste and sensation."
Healthcare professionals also warned of other physical hazards beyond nicotine exposure. Small components such as vape pods or detachable parts can present a choking risk if a toddler places them in their mouth. If the device leaks or if the e-liquid is ingested or comes into contact with mucous membranes, it can result in chemical burns or significant irritation.
It's crucial for parents to respond quickly and calmly if a child shows symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, excessive drooling, pallor or flushing of the skin, dizziness or unsteadiness, coughing or throat irritation (particularly if inhaled), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), sweating or chills. These signs indicate the need for urgent evaluation.
Experts recommend that parents store all vape devices and liquids securely out of reach of children, and talk to them about the dangers of vaping. They also advise seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. Delaying treatment can have serious consequences.
News about a three-year-old child in the UAE being rushed to the hospital after accidentally using an unattended vape device underscores the significance of keeping vaping devices away from children. In a statement, Dr. Seher Kamal, a specialist pediatrician at Aster Clinic in Dubai, emphasized the potential dangers of modern vaping devices for toddlers' developing brains. She stated that even brief nicotine exposure can impact brain development and cause symptoms like coughing, dizziness, or upset stomach in children.
Moreover, vaping devices can present other physical hazards, such as small components that can cause choking or chemical burns from leaked e-liquid. To protect their children, parents are urged to store vaping devices securely, talk to them about the risks, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise. According to a recent study published in Pediatric Emergency Care (2024), prompt action can help minimize the negative consequences of accidental exposures.
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