Boozy kids risk liver disease ‘ timebomb’
HOSPITALS are treating soaring numbers of children suffering liver disease linked to obesity and under-age drinking.
Figures show there has been a huge increase in the number of admissions for the “silent killer” over the past 16 years.
In 1997/ 98, 289 youngsters aged under 10 were admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of liver disease, but by 2012/13 it had soared by 20% to 346.
But shockingly, cases among 10 to 17- year- olds soared by 112% over the same period, from 197 to 417 in 2012/13.
The Health and Social Care Information Centre data, uncovered through a parliamentary question, come after the Government warned Britain is facing a childhood liver disease “time bomb”, as youngsters eat and drink their way to an early grave.
The revelations are set to re-ignite demands for extra tax to be slapped on sugary food and drinks.
Labour MP Luciana Berger, a Health, revealed 500,000 youngsters aged four to 14 were at risk of liver disease and by 2050, 63% of children will be obese.
In some cases the disease can progress to cirrhosis of the liver, a lifethreatening condition, which can lead to premature death as symptoms do not appear until the disease has progressed to a late stage.
Last year an alliance of 61 organisations, including the Royal Society for Public Health, called for a seven- pence- a- can “fat tax” on soft sugary drinks.
It was the latest in a series of fat tax pleas to discourage youngsters consuming excess quantities of unhealthy food and drink.
Alison Taylor chief executive of the Children’s Liver Foundation, said: “We would certainly like to see more resources invested to support a multi- disciplinary approach in identifying and treating childhood liver disease, from improved education of midwives and health visitors in spotting the early signs of liver disease in newborns, through to increased psychology input to enable young people to come to terms with having a lifelong liver condition.”
A De p a r t m e n t of He a l t h spokesman said: “All three major causes of liver disease — obesity, undiagnosed infection and harmful drinking — are preventable.
“That is why we are already taking comprehensive action to tackle the i ssue, through alcohol risk assessments at GPs, access to alcohol liaison nurses in hospitals and working with industry to help reduce fat and sugar in foods and to remove a billion units of alcohol from sale.
“Reducing deaths from liver disease is a priority for this Government and through our ‘Living Well for Longer’ programme we have committed to working with NHS England and Public Health England to drive local action to tackle this avoidable disease.” GRANDPARENTS are “cool” if they use Facebook and drive an expensive car, according to a survey of children.
The study also found 60% of youngsters felt they could talk to their grandparents about absolutely anything, while 75% said they want to be just like them when they are older.
Kids believe grandparents can make themselves more hip by letting youngsters stay up late, treating them to days out and giving out pocket money on the sly.
Letting them choose dinner and having a ready supply of homemade cakes also rated highly. The poll of 2,000 children, aged five to 15, found most believe they have cool grannies and granddads because they own iPads and dish out lots of pocket money.
Others said their grandparents enjoy funny YouTube videos.