Parents warned about the risks of “The Choking Game” by AboutKidsHealth

AboutKidsHealth, the online child health resource, has published a detailed report on a dangerous new game which is growing in popularity with children and adolescents across North America and the rest of the world.  “The Choking Game” is a high-risk challenge where children show bravado by choking their friends as long as they can possibly take it.

Shockingly, as many as one-third of medical professionals are unaware of this life-threatening activity.  The full report can be found at http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca

AboutKidsHealth, the information resource about child health managed by The Hospital for Sick Children, has published a report into the game which is causing deaths to children, with the warning that physicians, parents and education professionals need to be more aware of the phenomenon. 

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified 82 choking game related deaths among American children and adolescents between 1995 and 2007.

What is The Choking Game?

• This is a highly dangerous thrill seeking activity where one child chokes another, holding on until they lose consciousness.
• It is also referred to as The American Dream, the Funky Chicken and Space Monkey.

What some of the physical signs can parents and healthcare professionals watch out for in children who are carrying out this activity?

• Marks on the neck, or covering the neck area in warm weather
• Bloodshot eyes
• Small red spots on the face, especially the eyelids or white part of the eye
• Frequent severe headaches

The Choking Game:  Is Your Child at Risk can be read in full here – http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/News/The-Choking-Game-Is-Your-Child-at-Risk.aspx?articleID=13977&categoryID=news-type

AboutKidsHealth
The goal of http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca is to provide parents and healthcare providers with reliable, accurate and up-to-date information on all areas of child health.

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca was launched in 2004 and offers an extensive library of information for families with children who have a medical condition such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diabetes, brain tumours, heart conditions, pain or epilepsy, as well as explanations of asthma symptoms and other child health information.

There are also complete guides to Pregnancy & Babies and Premature Babies.

AboutKidsHealth is an initiative of The Hospital for Sick Children, also known as SickKids.

The Hospital for Sick Children is one of the largest paediatric teaching hospitals in the world and one of the world’s leading children’s health care centres.

The Hospital for Sick Children has a worldwide reputation for excellence in health care, research and teaching. SickKids is committed to improving the health and well-being of children and young people around the world.

Contact AboutKidsHealth
AboutKidsHealth Family Resource Centre
Main Floor, Room M200
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5G 1X8

Published by Newscertain