Pneumonia in Babies: Symptoms and Prevention
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Mounika V
01 Dec, 2023
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Childhood Obesity: Causes, Risks, and Treatments

Childhood obesity has started to become common among countries without any knowledge of the risks it holds. According to the World Obesity Federation, there were 175 million children suffering from obesity in 2020 and the rate is expected to be more than double by 2035. The federation has predicted that around 400 million children will be obese by 2035.

There are a few factors that cause childhood obesity, and they can be treated by paediatricians.

How to Identify Childhood Obesity?

The body mass index (BMI), serving as a metric of weight relative to height, stands as the established standard for assessing overweight and obesity. The formula for calculating BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters square.

BMI Formula = weight (kg) / (height [m])2

Children above 95th percentile are considered to be obese.

Or you could also use an online child BMI calculator.

Causes for Childhood Obesity

There are certain reasons that can cause childhood obesity.

  • Genetics: If your family has a history of overweight and obesity, there is a great chance that your children may inherit obesity.
  • SDOH: The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) indicates the way we live, work, and play. An unhealthy diet with high calories, like baked goods, fast foods, and packed foods can contribute to obesity.  Also, ignorance of exercising regularly or having any physical activity can lead to childhood obesity.

Risks of Childhood Obesity

  1. DiabetesAn elevated body weight, commonly associated with obesity, raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This heightened susceptibility to diabetes has implications for your children's sugar consumption, as it underscores the importance of monitoring and managing their dietary choices.
  2. High Blood Pressure and CholesterolThese factors can foster the deposition of arterial plaques, leading to the constriction and stiffening of the arteries. This condition has the potential to significantly elevate the likelihood of encountering a stroke or heart attack in the later stages of life.
  3. Pain in the JointsToo much weight for a particular age category ends up putting tremendous pressure on the hips and knee joints. This can weaken the joints or even cause damage to them.
  4. Sleep ApneaChildren who are overweight find it hard to breathe while sleeping and they develop a serious condition called sleep apnea. This is a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you sleep.

Prevention

If your children have obesity, you can help them by maintaining a healthy diet and motivating them for some physical activities.

A healthy diet must contain whole grains, leafy vegetables, and fruits. Avoiding processed foods and foods with added sugar is also required.

As technology grew, children got more addicted to mobile phones than physical activities. Children aged from 3 to 5 need to be physically active throughout the day. Parents need to engage their children in physical activities.

Medical Treatments

The treatment options available for childhood obesity are lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

  1. Lifestyle Intervention: This includes severe diets, vigorous physical activities, and proper sleep cycle. These are followed for weeks or even months to lose weight. 
  2. Pharmacotherapy: Weight loss medications have proved to be more effective and the medications that are being developed today also don’t have any side effects.
  3. Bariatric Surgery: The alteration of gut hormones, physical reduction of stomach size, or reduction of nutrient absorption are the medical procedures used to manage obesity through bariatric surgery.

You can consult with a paediatrician to choose the right path for your child.



Child Care
12 Mins Read
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7 Effective Tips for your Baby’s Hygiene

Welcoming a newborn into the family can be such a whirlwind of emotions, especially for mamas. Because as much as it makes you happy, it also makes you responsible for taking care of that tiny bundle of joy.

However, it is also normal to feel constant worries and anxiety about ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of your newborn. We all want to protect our babies from infections and keep a clean environment as much as we can. But babies are easily vulnerable to bacterial illnesses and infections as their immune systems are still developing. Many of us want to keep our babies in a clean sanitized bubble. It is vital to understand for all the new moms and dads that to know the difference between a Paediatrician and a Neonatologist, and consult the right doctor according to their child's age. Here are measures you can take to protect your infant from harmful bacteria and viruses.

1. Clean Baby’s Toys

Babies have a special bond with their toys since they often tend to be the baby’s first companion. Once babies are 3 to 5 months old, they start to reach and grab things, and they often put them right into their mouths, which makes them susceptible to illnesses like allergies and infections.

Hence, it is critical to regularly clean and sanitize the toys with a good anti-bacterial soap and lukewarm water to aid in preventing the spread of contagious infections.

2. Change Diapers Regularly

Changing a baby's diaper every two to three hours has been recommended by health experts to reduce the chance of infections, diaper rash, and other issues. If you do not change your baby's diaper at once after they poop, they may develop skin problems like redness, eczema, and other allergies.

Make sure the skin is completely dry every time you change your baby's nappy. Avoid using baby powder in that region and instead wipe it down with a cotton cloth or wet wipes.

3. Sanitize and Keep your Home Clean

Keep your home as clean as possible to limit your child's exposure to dangerous germs and bacteria. Make sure to keep your baby's sleeping cot clean, with fresh sheets changed often and the room kept dust-free; change the linens at least once a week and disinfect the room with baby-safe antibacterial treatments twice weekly. The baby's room should be bright and airy with plenty of windows to let in natural light.

4. Trim your Baby’s Fingernails

If there is one place where a lot of dirt may accumulate, it is on your baby's tiny nails. Long, dirty nails make it easy for germs to get into your baby's body and could also scratch his cute face. So, make sure your baby's nails are always clean and well-trimmed. The best way to trim your baby's nails quickly and easily is to do it while they are asleep, and always make sure to use baby-sized nail clippers.

5. Wash your and Baby’s Hands

Before touching your baby, wash your hands well or use a baby wet wipe to clean your hands. If you have guests, do not get hesitated to tell them, and make sure they wash their hands properly before touching the baby.

It is common for babies to put their hands in their mouths right away. Therefore, it is essential to keep your kid healthy by regularly washing his or her hands with an effective antibacterial soap or hand wash liquid.

6. Sterilize the Bottles

If you are using bottles to feed your baby, be sure to thoroughly clean and sterilize them after each feeding. Boiling water is the most efficient method of sterilizing feeding bottles since it removes all traces of potentially hazardous bacteria and other microorganisms. To further prevent contamination of clean and sterilized feeding bottles, you can use a protective baby bottle cover.

7. Stay Away from Large Crowds

Remember that your newborn is extremely vulnerable to infections since their immune systems are very weak and should therefore stay away from crowded environments. So, try to keep your baby away from large groups of people until at least six weeks old.

I can get you, all you new mothers and daddies! Maintaining good healthy hygiene is not an easy feat. It really requires consistent effort and unwavering dedication. Simply follow these effortless tips we have shared to ensure that your little one has the best hygiene possible. You can buy high quality and the most sterilized baby care products for your little bundle of joy at the convenience of your home.



Child Care
12 Mins Read
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What is Neonatologist? What Health Concerns are Treated by Them?

Having a baby is every couple's dream, whereas having a healthy baby is everyone's wish. Every woman enjoys her pregnancy if the baby's growth and metabolism is healthy. However, not everyone has a hassle-free delivery and not every child gets a healthy childhood as some may be challenged with unforeseen genetic problems, while women may face accidental complications during labour or delivery. Because of this many parents seek the guidance of neonatologists, medical professionals who are super specialized and have sought additional training in the field of pediatrics.

Who is a neonatologist?

A neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in taking care of new-born babies. If your baby is born prematurely or has a serious disease or congenital disability, he or she will be cared for by a neonatologist.

A neonatologist may be consulted throughout a pregnant woman's prenatal care by her physician if the baby presents with a serious health issue. Additionally, they are present in the delivery room to provide emergency care to newborns.

Most of the neonatologists practice in hospital-based neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and it is a specialized kind of new-born nursery that stays open 24 hours, to care for sick or early infants. Additionally, it is possible that the infant will continue to see a neonatologist even after being discharged from the hospital; this specialist will work together with your child's primary pediatrician.

Role of a neonatologist

A neonatologist,

  • Identifies and cures problems, infections, and diseases affecting neonates.
  • Manages and directs the delivery of care, including surgical procedures.
  • Uses diagnostic imaging techniques including X-rays, echocardiograms, and ultrasounds, as well as blood tests, to check up on an infant’s health and track organ performance.
  • Provides nourishment for infants who are ill or recovering from illness.
  • Cares for a new-born with special needs right after birth and helps in the delivery area.
  • Consults gynaecologists, pediatricians, and specialists in maternal-fetal medicine regarding the care of the child.
  • Facilitates family well-being during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.

A neonatologist's support is required when the child is diagnosed with a hereditary impairment.

The baby may be born with a genetic disorder like cystic fibrosis or there may be structural abnormalities in one of the baby's organs. And neonatologists collaborate with doctors and experts in the maternal-fetal field to oversee the care of new-borns before, during, and immediately after childbirth. When complications arise during pregnancy or delivery, a neonatologist may be required.

What does a neonatologist treat?

Neonatologists specialise in caring for new-borns with abnormalities or injuries. Typically, neonatologists deal with a wide range of illnesses and conditions, including:

  • Premature birth or stunted growth of the infant
  • Abnormalities present at birth, or congenital defects
  • Issues with breathing or circulation of the blood to the lungs
  • Conditions affecting the heart such as congestive heart failure, septal abnormalities, and bradycardia
  • Seizures, brain haemorrhaging, and other similar problems
  • Reduced glucose levels in the blood (Hypoglycaemia)
  • Taking care of a person's diet and development, or putting in a feeding tube
  • Cirrhosis, jaundice, or other kidney or liver issues.
  • Injuries at birth 

Neonatal expert procedures

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is well-equipped to supervise infants in need of specialized care, and if your child needs surgery, a neonatologist will manage the operation. They also generally use treatments and procedures for the infants, which includes:

  • Breathing treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventilators, and others
  • Premature infants who are unable to maintain a normal body temperature may benefit from warming treatment.
  • Baby brain injury treatment with cooling therapy
  • Jaundice can be treated with light therapy
  • Fluid, antibiotic, and drug administration, as well as blood transfusions, administered by intravenous (IV) therapy

Neonatologists are medical practitioners who are qualified to treat infants since they have specialized skills to offer the care that new-borns need. They provide extra care for new babies who experience illness. Consult a neonatologists when your infant needs a particular care. 



Child Care
12 Mins Read
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What is paediatricians? What does a pediatrician do?

As much of a blessing as it is to have a child, it comes with the huge responsibility of taking care of them. More like a full-time job, raising children is no child’s play!! A quite common situation that happens in every family: a healthy child turning cranky, and the parents finding it awfully hard to figure out why!? Though there may be assorted reasons, one thing that makes this situation complicated is the inability of the child to communicate their feelings accurately. As adults, we can describe what we feel, where it pains and know for ourselves if something is wrong without health. But what do we do in the case of children???

Hope you got it right! We take children to a “Paediatrician.”  A lot of love, care and attention must be given to children’s wellbeing and good health. It is not possible for the child to express his/her discomforts/needs in a proper way, where the parent can understand. So, it is the responsibility of parents to understand the pulse, the mental and physical conditions of their child.

To make it a bit easier for the parents, we have “Paediatricians: The Child Dcotor" to the rescue!!

Paediatricians are doctors who provide medical care and treatment to infants, toddlers, children, teenagers and young adults, who present in with chronic or acute illness, take preventive and necessary measures for their healthy growth and development. Paediatric physicians have a significant role in every stage of development in a child’s life, in their mental, physical and emotional well-being. 

Children are a miniature version of adults, wherein their organs are smaller in size and sensitive, which needs exceptional care and concentration while treating them. A Paediatrician can analyze the child and find out their needs, even when the child cannot convey their discomfort properly.

The branch of medicine and study that focuses on newborns, infants, children and early adolescents is known as “paediatrics”, originated from a Greek word, which stands for “Healer of Children”.  

To treat the various health concerns of children in an elegant manner, paediatrics has been divided into several subspecialties, through which the concerned illness can be treated at a precise level by the specialist.

Paediatric cardiologist: concerned with treating congenital heart defects.

Neonatologists: trained doctors handling complicated and high-risk situations arising in newborns and infants.

Gastroenterology paediatricians: A child’s digestive, liver and nutritional problems are quite different than that exists in adults. A lot of serious problems – inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance, vomiting, bleeding from gastrointestinal tract, etc., are treated by these experts.

Developmental behavioral Paediatricians: who evaluate the behavioral development of children and teens, diagnose, and treat developmental and behavioral problems in children and teens.

Paediatric rheumatologists treat children and adolescents who have musculoskeletal disorders, such asjuvenile rheumatoid arthritisand chronic pain.

Paediatric Oncologist: Concerned with diagnosing and treating cancers that arise in children.

Endocrinology Paediatricians: A child grows through a gamut of hormonal disorders, which they themselves will not be able to understand and express out efficiently. Thyroid disorders, early or delayed puberty, etc., will require the intervention of pediatric endocrinologists to diagnose and manage these conditions in children.

Apart from the aforementioned, a child may often be challenged with the following common illnesses as they grow and that includes common cold, sore throat, teeth pain radiating up to ear, bacterial sinusitis and cough. 

What does a paediatrician do during these visits?

  • Conduct physical exams.
  • Making sure the child meets the developmental milestones during their growth.
  • Provides and recommends the needed immunizations and vaccines.
  • Diagnosed common child illnesses and treated injuries, fractures, illnesses, and infections.
  • Provide detailed information about a child’s necessary nutritional requirements, overall health, and safety.
  • If care is needed beyond the paediatric expertise, they provide referrals and talk to concerned pediatric specialists to provide specialized care. 


 

Child Care
12 Mins Read