Menthol-infused baby oil that is commonly used to relieve abdominal pain in infants is dangerous for children under two years of age and their use on infants has been banned by the Food and Drug Administration, Taichung’s Asia University Hospital pediatrician Chang Yu-tzu (張鈺孜) said.
Menthol is a neural inhibitor, that relaxes the smooth muscles and suppresses intestinal movements, which is why topical application of menthol-infused oils and ointments relieve abdominal pain, Chang said.
Abdominal pain in babies can be induced by colic or in rare cases, intussusception, he said.
Photo: Chen Chien-chih, Taipei Times
However, while menthol provides relief, it is unsafe for infants because their skin is sensitive and their central nervous system is more vulnerable to the effects of menthol, he said.
The Food and Drug Administration banned menthol oils, ointments and inhalants for children under two years of age several years ago, he said.
When absorbed through the skin, excessive menthol can induce seizure, impair consciousness and inhibit breathing, he said.
The risks are heightened when menthol-infused substances are ingested, inhaled or rubbed on the face or chest of an infant, he said.
A safe way to relieve bloating and abdominal pain in an infant is to massage their stomach in a clockwise direction and to give them probiotics, Chang said.
Any ointment should used only when advised by a pediatrician, he said.
Menthol can also cause adverse effects in women who are pregnant or lactating, or people with a history of epilepsy, severe acid reflux, gallbladder inflammation or severe disorders of the liver, he said.
AGING: While Japan has 22 submarines, Taiwan only operates four, two of which were commissioned by the US in 1945 and 1946, and transferred to Taiwan in 1973 Taiwan would need at least 12 submarines to reach modern fleet capabilities, CSBC Corp, Taiwan chairman Chen Cheng-hung (陳政宏) said in an interview broadcast on Friday, citing a US assessment. CSBC is testing the nation’s first indigenous defense submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤, Narwhal), which is scheduled to be delivered to the navy next month or in July. The Hai Kun has completed torpedo-firing tests and is scheduled to undergo overnight sea trials, Chen said on an SET TV military affairs program. Taiwan would require at least 12 submarines to establish a modern submarine force after assessing the nation’s operational environment and defense
Yangmingshan National Park authorities yesterday urged visitors to respect public spaces and obey the law after a couple was caught on a camera livestream having sex at the park’s Qingtiangang (擎天崗) earlier in the day. The Shilin Police Precinct in Taipei said it has identified a suspect and his vehicle registration number, and would summon him for questioning. The case would be handled in accordance with public indecency charges, it added. The couple entered the park at about 11pm on Thursday and began fooling around by 1am yesterday, the police said, adding that the two were unaware of the park’s all-day live
The coast guard today said that it had disrupted "illegal" operations by a Chinese research ship in waters close to the nation and driven it away, part of what Taipei sees a provocative pattern of China's stepped up maritime activities. The coast guard said that it on Thursday last week detected the Chinese ship Tongji (同濟號), which was commissioned only last year, 29 nautical miles (54km) southeast of the southern tip of Taiwan, although just outside restricted waters. The ship was observed lowering ropes into the water, suspected to be the deployment of scientific instruments for "illegal" survey operations, and the coast
A former soldier and an active-duty army officer were yesterday indicted for allegedly selling classified military training materials to a Chinese intelligence operative for a total of NT$79,440. The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Chen Tai-yin (陳泰尹) and Lee Chun-ta (李俊達) for contravening the National Security Act (國家安全法) and the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例). Chen left the military in September 2013 after serving alongside then-staff sergeant Lee, now an army lieutenant, at the 21st Artillery Command of the army’s Sixth Corps from 2011 to 2013, according to the indictment. Chen met a Chinese intelligence operative identified as “Wang” (王) through a friend in November
RSS