Emphasizing the importance of allowing only trained and qualified health professionals to administer injections, paediatricians have cautioned against the severe consequences of inappropriate injection practices.
Injecting individuals in the wrong part of the buttocks can lead to irreversible nerve damage, potentially affecting the individual’s ability to walk for life, they have warned.
In a recent PUNCH Healthwise interview, experts like Dr. Beatrice Ezenwa, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, highlighted the specific injection sites on the buttocks for both adults and children.
Dr. Ezenwa and others stress that untrained healthcare workers and auxiliary nurses should refrain from administering injections as they may lack the necessary anatomical knowledge required for such procedures.
They explained that following proper guidelines and protocols is crucial in preventing injection-related complications and that those unaware of the correct procedures are more likely to cause harm.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infants and children should not routinely receive vaccinations in the buttocks to avoid injury to the sciatic nerves. CDC recommends using the upper, outer quadrant of the buttocks only for larger injections.
Dr. Olatunde Odusote, a Consultant Paediatrician, echoed Dr. Ezenwa’s sentiments, emphasizing that injections can be safely administered in the buttocks if done correctly to avoid nerve damage.
Dr. Odusote highlighted the importance of correctly identifying injection sites to minimize risks, particularly stressing the preference for thigh injections in children to prevent nerve-related complications.
He pointed out that improper injections in children with polio infections could exacerbate their condition, underscoring the need for adherence to safe injection practices.