Children and Travel
Nowadays, children get to travel with the family by land, by sea by or by air. Travel teaches many things to children besides creating memories with the family. However, we should ensure the children’s safety while travelling. With this in mind, I wish to share with you, the lecture of Dr Maria Victoria Ribayon, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine practitioner from the Philippine Children’s Medical Center and St Luke’s Hospital during the PPS Annual convention in Manila last April 2025.
Dr Ribayon said that travelling by plane was one of the causes of the spread of Covid 19. Because of the enclosed, pressurized environment inside the plane, the condition may facilitate the spread of airborne illnesses such as measles, chickenpox virus, so a high efficiency particulate filter that can take out 99.9% of bacteria and viruses must be in the pressurized cabin.
Other problems common in air travels include:
1. Barotrauma – where children may have ear pain that is felt much worse with landing than taking off. Management of the condition includes:
– children should be advised to drink or chew something
– those with ear problems must be addressed prior to flight
2. Anxiety because of air turbulence and motion sickness. Management includes:
– giving of medications
– have the children sit at the middle or front portion of the plane rather than at the rear part of the plane
– older children and an be told and encouraged to gaze at the horizon during the trip.
3. Hypoxemia – where children may experience low oxygen saturation and would need supplemental oxygen in flight
The following conditions are not fit to travel by air:
- Those with Eisenmerger’s syndrome, uncontrolled hypertension and uncontrolled Supraventricular Tachycardia.
- Children with surgery within 6 weeks of travel
The speaker, Dr Ribayon, further explained that travelling by water also has some risks for children. These are:
1. Drowning
This is the second leading cause of death in children during sea travels. So, there must be trained adults who know how to swim together with the child and that flotation devices should be available
2. Sun Exposures
In this case, shades/ hats and sunscreens should be used. Titanium oxide and zinc oxide sunscreens are recommended for infants less than 6 months old. Moreover, physical sunscreens are recommended to those who are more than 6 mos old
3. Bites and stings from jelly fishes
If this happens, the bitten area should be washed with vinegar if available. If not, you may use seawater, then apply steroidal cream and give antihistamines
On the other hand, for travelling by land, the following problems may be encountered:
– diarrhea
– allergic reactions to foods
– bites from mosquitoes
– sunburns
– heat related illnesses
– cold related illnesses
– motor vehicular accidents
– traumas in theme parks
– bites from insects, crabs, centipedes, spiders and snakes
Dr. Maria Victoria Ribayon emphasized that prior to every travel, the family should do a homework about the place; they should study their itinerary and anticipate areas of concerns especially in children’s needs. Family should also bring emergency medicines and equipment like Epiphen, antihistamines, nebulizers, etc. Communication is the key. The family should prepare the child prior to travel, read travel books together and should know meeting points in case of separation. It is also of importance to buy adequate travel insurance for each member of the family.
She reiterated that now there is “Sandy’s Law”( SB 2971). This law aims to protect young travelers from risks encountered in tourist destinations.
This law is named after a 6 year old Sandy Garovillas who died of anaphylactic shock after a jellyfish sting in a resort with no medical support. Senator Risa Hontiveros sponsored the law which aims to make life saving equipment, medicines and facilities readily available for children facing emergencies during travel.