Home>News Center>Life
         
 

Chewing food for infants dangerous
(eastday.com)
Updated: 2004-05-12 09:44

Medical experts warned local parents yesterday not to chew their infant children's food for them as the practice could spread a bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori, or HP, which is a major cause of stomach ulcers and digestive ailments.

Renji Hospital set up a medical center yesterday for diagnosing and treating HP-related diseases.

According to experts, HP infections can result in a series of digestive problems, including ulcers, gastritis and even stomach cancer.

"More than 95 percent of stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients are infected with HP, and 80 percent of stomach cancer patients have the infection," said Dr Xiao Shudong.

Doctors said HP infections are very common, but the public knows little about the bacterium.

Between 20 and 40 percent of adults have HP in developed nations, while the figures are much higher in developing countries. In Shanghai, 60 percent of local adults and 50 percent of children are infected with the bacterium.

"HP is normally spread through mouth-to-mouth contact. Many people get infection in childhood and develop symptoms later, normally in their 50s and 60s," Xiao added.

"I always chew the food beforehand and feed my 1-year-old son. I should change the habit and use other means to soften food in the future," said Chen Jian, a local mother.

 
  Today's Top News     Top Life News
 

Price drop indicates economy cooling down

 

   
 

Killers: Beheading avenges prison abuse

 

   
 

Premier: Taiwan legislation to be studied

 

   
 

US$1.5b in contracts signed in London

 

   
 

Olympic venues open to global bids

 

   
 

China's first frozen egg baby born

 

   
  Chewing food for infants dangerous
   
  A new breed of man
   
  Brightman makes China embrace
   
  Westerner finds new home in China
   
  Graduate employment: High hopes, low access
   
  Transsexual's wedding mirrors social changes
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Feature  
  Zheng Yuanjie's 19 years in fairy tales  
Advertisement