Introduction To Breast Feeding

 Nutrition  No Responses »
Nov 252012
 

Appropriate nutrition is of paramount importance for desired growth in children. For many well debated and scientifically proven reasons human breast milk remains the best option for neonates.

Why Breast Feed?

There are many advantages to breast feeding, in addition to being ready, available, low cost and at ready to feed temperature. It is nutritionally well balanced and is a complete diet for first 6 months of life.

Benefits To Babies

Human breast milk meets the nutritional need of the babies perfectly. It is

  • A complete food
  • Easily digested
  • Has enough water
  • It promotes bonding with the mother
  • Always available, 24 hours a day at the right temperature.
  • Protects against diseases.
  • It is hygienic and has immune factors as well as prevents from allergies.

Benefits of Colostrum

  • Contains all nutrients that a new born needs
  • Provides enough fluid
  • Immunizes the baby
  • Contains a mild laxative to clear meconium
  • Prevents jaundice

Advantages Of The Composition Of Breast Milk

1. Low protein:

  • Less stress on kidneys and less allergic.
  • It reduces the chances of developing allergic conditions like atopic dermatitis and asthma , even in children with family history of allergies.

2. High Lactulose:

  • It is a good energy source for the developing brain.

3. Fat composition:

  • Easily digested
  • Hind milk has more fat

4. High water content:

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Health Education For New Parents- Protecting Baby From Accidents And Infections

 Neonatology  No Responses »
Nov 182012
 

It is an important responsibility of  doctors and health providers to train and inform new parents how to take care of their children and take appropriate measures to protect them from any accident or infections.

Here is a brief summary of those important points that should be explained to every parent.

1. Keep small objects out of your baby’s reach.

2. Stay with your baby when he/she is eating or drinking.

3. Make sure your baby’s cot and mattress are in good condition and that the mattress fits the cot properly.

4. Install at least one smoke alarm.

5. Plan a way to escape a fire with your baby.

6. Never leave your baby alone in bath or near water.

7. Immunize your baby.

8. Make sure your baby cannot reach hot drinks, kettle or iron flex.

9. Only use toy’s suitable for your baby’s age.

10. Never shake your baby- ask for help if crying gets too much.

11. Use a properly fitted baby car seat that is the right size for your baby.

12. Do not use a baby walker. Continue reading »

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Tuberculosis In Children- A Brief Introduction

 Infectious Diseases  No Responses »
Nov 162012
 

Tuberculosis causes a major burden on health and economics of low income countries. The delay in diagnosis and inability to cure a high proportion of pulmonary smear positive adult TB cases are the main reasons of increased risk of infection and consequent high mortality in children.

It is important for pediatricians, physicians and related health workers to identify TB in children and manage it accordingly.

What is TB ?

TB is an infectious, systemic, chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an aerobic, non spore forming acid fast bacilli.

Mode Of Infection

Infection occurs almost exclusively through the respiratory  system by inhalation of tubercle bacilli. TB spreads from the primary lung lesion to other parts of the body via blood stream and lymphatics or by direct extension. Majority of children acquire the disease by being exposed to adults with pulmonary infectious TB.

Clinical Features

  • TB may be asymptomatic in as many as 50% of children.
  • Children may present with non specific signs and with minimal or no respiratory symptoms.
  • Cough, fever,anorexia, weight loss, sweating, respiratory distress, lymph adenopathy, wheezing, decreased breath sounds and rales may be seen.
  • A child may have concurrent extra pulmonary involvement as well.

Extra Pulmonary TB

Extra pulmonary TB is defined as those children with AFB smear or culture positive specimen from an extra pulmonary site or a patient with histological and or clinical evidence consistent with active extra-pulmonary TB. In 25% of children with disease TB affects other organs, such as lymph nodes (most common), central nervous system, intestines, pleura, pericardium, bones and joints, genito urinary tract and other parts of the body. Diagnosis is often difficult and should preferably be made by physicians. Extra pulmonary Tb is usually non-infectious.

TB Meningitis 

It is considered as the most serious complication of TB in children because of high mortality and morbidity. It is the most common form of extra pulmonary TB after TB lymphadenitis. It most commonly occurs in children below 5 years of age. . Diagnosis is suspected on clinical grounds and then confirmed on lumbar puncture where CSF shows lymphocytic pleocytosis, high protein and low glucose.  Continue reading »

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