A new study suggests that children addicted to computer games risk developing a painful condition, known as Nintendo thumb, or other injuries.

The study by a British physiotherapist Wendy Emberson says that swelling and pain at the base of the thumb is common among children, some of them as young as nine.

The study found evidence of Nintendo thumb in fifteen percent and bad posture in almost all youngsters who spend hours on computer games.

Experts say that the number of children with such injuries has increased rapidly in the past five years and they want video games to carry health warnings.