Dr Zayyum Loda’am, a neurosurgeon at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, has warned parents and caregivers against hitting children on the head as punishment.

He said the practice could cause serious injuries and impair brain development.

He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, highlighting the dangers of physical punishment, particularly blows to children’s heads.

Loda’am said physical punishment, particularly blows to the head, could cause injuries such as concussions, skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, depending on the force and circumstances of the impact.

The warning comes amid growing concerns about physical punishment in homes and schools, where hitting children is sometimes considered an acceptable method of correcting undesirable behaviour and enforcing discipline.

He called for an end to the practice, urging governments and relevant stakeholders to promote positive, non-violent approaches to child discipline and encourage safer ways of correcting children’s behaviour.

“Medical guidance also indicates that symptoms of head injuries may not appear immediately. Warning signs include repeated vomiting, worsening headaches, unusual behaviour, confusion, seizures, difficulty walking and loss of consciousness,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.2 billion children aged between zero and 18 years experience corporal punishment in their homes annually across the world, highlighting its widespread prevalence.

WHO said corporal punishment could result in physical injuries, mental health problems, impaired cognitive development and changes in brain structure and function, potentially affecting children’s long-term health and overall well-being.

NAN reports that there is no scientific evidence showing that corporal punishment has benefits for children’s behaviour, development or well-being, reinforcing calls for positive and non-violent disciplinary approaches.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru