The dark side of Fortnite: Experts warn children who play video games for hours at a time are at risk of developing deadly medical conditions
- Long hours of video games could increase risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- DVT is a blood clot that forms in the veins of legs, which is potentially deadly
- Risks increase when kids sit for hours, a New Zealand medical institute warns
- There are up to 400 deaths from blood clots, says the Department of Health
Children who spend hours playing video games could be at risk of developing a potentially deadly medical condition called deep vein thrombosis, experts warn.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the veins of one’s legs – and the risks of getting DVT are higher if you sit still or lie down for extended periods of time without moving.
While DVT is more common among the elderly, new research from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand shows that it can also be triggered in young children who live sedentary lifestyles.
Long hours of playing video games could increase risks of a potentially deadly medical condition called the deep vein thrombosis, experts warn (stock image)
This is why children who play video games – whether they’re sitting or lying down – for up to three hours or more could potentially develop deep vein thrombosis.
In one case, a boy as young as 12 suffered from DVT after he played video games for four hours straight in a kneeling position, The Telegraph reported.
This also applies to people who spend most of their time in front of the television or computer screen without moving for more than five hours.
It is also a topic of discussion when it comes to people’s immobility during long office hours or in long-distance travel.
Children who play video games – whether they’re sitting or lying down – for up to three hours or more could potentially develop deep vein thrombosis (stock image)
‘It really needs to be a research area of priority just as it has been with air travel which is now well recognised. People are now sitting for longer periods than they are even in long distance air travel,’ New Zealand Medical Research Institute Director Richard Beasley told The Telegraph.
Deep vein thrombosis could also lead to related blood clot conditions, such as pulmonary embolism (PE), a blockage found in one or the lung’s arteries.
This could lead to breathlessness and sharp chest pain. If the clot is large, such conditions can be deadly.
The Department of Health in Australia issued warnings on the issue, saying that there are up to 400 deaths from PE alone.
In the Digital Australia 2018 report, it was found that 97% of homes with children have computer games and 60% of households have five or more screens.
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