Scents Kids Go Wild For
By Wendy Busfield, medical
reporter
Simple things
such as Perfume can trigger hyperactivity in children a recent study has found.
Researchers say
mothers splashing on a fragrance can cause hyperactivity in their children.
Toiletries and air fresheners can have the same effect, with possible links to
attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
A
study involving about 400 British families with hyperactive children showed
perfume was one of the biggest triggers. More than 7-per cent of children
reacted strongly to perfume worn by their mothers and scent in household
products. The researchers were surprised by the result, expecting more reaction
from food coloring.
But Melbourne
ADHD researcher Peggy Brunet said she had already seen evidence linking perfume
to ADHD. The Swinburne University PhD student works with children diagnosed
with ADHD, autism and speech disorders.
"I've
seen the effect of perfume with my own eyes", she said.
"Babies
have developed ticks and twitches and all sorts of mannerisms as a result of
perfume. "It can be really dangerous".
Herald
Sun, 23 August, 2000