AIRLINE medical kits do not have the appropriate equipment for a medical emergency involving children, a new study has claimed.
Common ailments such as vomiting or allergic reactions could potentially put their lives at risk during a flight.
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Researchers at Duke Health University of Medicine found that first aid kids on planes do not have paediatric versions of common treatments such as pain medication.
Alexandre Rotta, chief of the Division of Paediatric Critical Care Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and lead author of the study, explained: “Children represent almost 16 per cent of emergency medical events on airlines, so these incidences are not rare.
“Both airlines and parents should be aware of the most common illnesses and be prepared to deal with them.”
The most common toddler medical issues included fever (33 per cent), vomiting (18.3 per cent), blunt trauma (6.9 per cent), respiratory distress (5.7 per cent) and seizure (2.6 per cent).
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The study analysed 11,700 in-flight emergencies that involved kids and teenagers from January 2015 to October 2016.
Included were 77 different airlines across six continents.
Last year, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) were directed to look into on board medical kits to assess if they had the relevant kit for children.
First aid kids are well stocked with asthma inhalers, antihistamines and painkillers when it comes to adult emergencies.
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However, many do not have liquid painkillers for younger children who cannot swallow tablets or need a lower dosage for example.
They also don’t have spacers, which are face masks used for babies and young children who need help using an inhaler.
Instead, the study claims that airlines are relying on parents to have the necessary medicine for their children in case of an emergency.
Dr Rotta told Press Associations that kits should carry “anti-nausea medication, anti-fever medication, an anti-allergic medication and an analgesic (painkiller)” in liquid form to cover any child maladies.
Until this is enforced, he advises: “If you are a parent travelling with a child, we recommend you carry on the medications you think your child might need.”
Airlines are rolling out new additions to medical kits – American Airlines and Delta are adding Naloxonoe, which is used for overdoses.
Some kits are lacking in is EpiPens, often needed for allergy sufferers in the air, with Senator Chuck Schumer urging the FAA to lift the ban on them as they are currently exempt from being carried on board.
Parents are allowed to take medication on board as long as it is accompanied by a doctors note.
Travel sickness is a common ailment in children, especially those aged between two and 12.
Drinking ginger ale and wearing acupressure wristbands are easy ways to help if there is no access to travel sickness medicine.
