Why parents, caregivers should avoid hitting children on the head – Neurosurgeon

A neurosurgeon at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, Dr Zayyum Loda’am, has warned parents and caregivers against hitting children on the head as a form of punishment, saying the practice could cause serious injuries and impair brain development.

Loda’am gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, where he highlighted the potential dangers of physical punishment, particularly blows to children’s heads.

He explained that hitting a child on the head could result in concussions, skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, depending on the force and circumstances of the impact.

The neurosurgeon expressed concern over the continued use of physical punishment in homes and schools, where hitting children is sometimes regarded as an acceptable way of correcting undesirable behaviour and enforcing discipline.

He called on parents, caregivers, governments and other relevant stakeholders to abandon the practice and promote positive, non-violent approaches to child discipline.

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Loda’am also cautioned that symptoms of head injuries might not become apparent immediately after an incident.

“Medical guidance also indicates that symptoms of head injuries may not appear immediately. Warning signs include repeated vomiting, worsening headaches, unusual behaviour, confusion, seizures, difficulty walking and loss of consciousness,” he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 1.2 billion children aged between zero and 18 years experience corporal punishment in their homes annually across the world.

The global health agency warned that corporal punishment could result in physical injuries, mental health problems, impaired cognitive development and changes in brain structure and function, with possible long-term consequences for children’s health and well-being.

NAN reports that there is no scientific evidence showing that corporal punishment benefits children’s behaviour, development or well-being, reinforcing the need for safer and non-violent disciplinary methods.

(NAN)