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Peadiatrics

Common cold virus landing many kids in ICU: Doctors

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Common cold virus landing many kids in ICU: Doctors

Paediatric intensivists across city hospitals are seeing a rise in children in need of intensive care following infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a type of seasonal common cold virus.

More than Covid, RSV and dengue are currently keeping hospitals’ intensive care unit doctors on their toes. RSV is a common cold virus that affects children mainly under five years of age and does not have a specific therapy.

“Last year there were hardly any RSV patients at our paediatric ICU. Even in 2019, we didn’t have as many cases as now. This year, in addition to dengue, we started seeing kids with RSV in the ICU from the last week of July and now, such cases are peaking,” said Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital’s paediatric intensivist Sumant Patil.

Surya Mother and Child Care superspeciality hospital’s chief paediatrician and neonatologist Sachin Shah said, “Since July, we have had nearly 50 admissions per month to the paediatric ICU due to respiratory infections. Quite a few test positive for RSV.”

Outbreaks of respiratory infections are common during the monsoon. “But the awareness is higher this year due to increased testing facilities. PCR-based diagnostic modalities are available which — though costly — can be performed for diagnosis of influenza viruses and RSV,” Shah said.

Bharati medical college and hospital has one of the biggest paediatric units in Pune. “We see 7-10 cases every day. About 25% of these kids with RSV need PICU care,” said hospital’s deputy medical director Jitendra Oswal.

RSV causes inflammation of the respiratory system, collection of excessive mucoid secretions clogging tiny airways, causing inadequate oxygenation, breathing difficulties, and prolonged and very bad coughing. The kids become infected suffer from exhaustion and weakness as their feeding is significantly reduced. Their breathing becomes abnormal and fast due to inadequate oxygen intake, weakening them further and needing ICU care.

Not every child clinically suspected undergoes a swab test for the confirmation of RSV. “We are treating 10-12 kids with confirmed RSV in our paediatric ICU every month,” Patil said.

Kids who turn severe following RSV mainly need prolonged respiratory support in the form of oxygen therapy and high flow nasal cannula or CPAP support.

Peadiatrics

Does moisturizer help in softening the skin of your babies ?

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Does moisturizer help in softening the skin of your babies ?

Moisturizer:

Apply moisturizers on your child’s hand and other dry areas every time you wash them. Use a moisturizer at least two or three times a day.Talk about products with your pediatrician. If your child’s skin is extremely dry, isn’t improving with moisturizing, or shows signs of eczma or another skin problem, your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription moisturizer.

Lotion:

Lotions may not be the best opion for your kids

  1. Because children’s skin lacks oil, lotions may simply not be strong enough.
  2. According to The american academy of dermatology (AAD),lotions can be irritating, so creams an ointments may be better choices

Creams & Ointments:

Lotions are a thick liquid, creams are defined as semi-solid emulsions of water and oil.ointments are more oily than creams. The AAD recommends creams or ointments that contain one or more of these ingredients:

  1. Dimethicone
  2. Glycerin
  3. Hyaluronic acid
  4. Jojoba oil
  5. Lanolin
  6. Mineral oil
  7. Petrolatum
  8. Shea butter
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Peadiatrics

What to feed your baby in year one ?

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What to feed your baby in year one ?
  1. At 4 – 6 months Start feeding solids: It is a recommended time, to start feeding your baby solids but before starting solids your baby should be able to sit up (with support )turn their head away, and make chewing motions.
  2. Keep going with breast milk: Remember you are just introducing solids, you are not eliminating milk or not changing their diet.It will happens gradually.
  3. Start fruits and vegetables at a time: Fruits, vegetables, grains and even pureed meats can all be on the menu for your baby.you may want to introduce them one at a time to see how they react to the flavor and texture and to make sure no allergies develop.
  4. Avoid milk and honey: Most pediatricians say you should wait until after your baby’s first birthday to start offering cow’s milk.That’s because nutritionally it doesn’t measure up to mother’s milk and don’t give honey to your baby because of a possible botulism risk that a baby’s developing immune system can’t fend off.
  5. Try finger foods when baby is ready: Around 9 months or so, your baby will be able to pick small pieces of soft table food to eat.some great “finger foods” include ripe banana pieces, cooked chunks of carrots, cottage cheese, well-cooked pasta, dry cereal,an scramble eggs.
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Peadiatrics

Everything you need to know about Breastfeeding

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Everything you need to know about Breastfeeding

According to the American Academy of pediatrics (AAP) recommendations, Breastfeeding is one of the organisations most accessed policy statement. The statement details not only the benefits of breastfeeding but also discusses the importance of breastfeeding high-risk infants. And it also discusses the role of pediatricians in promoting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides short and long term medical and neuro development advantages.

  1. It is recommended to continue breastfeeding for at least 12 months.
  2. Breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for 6 months.
  3. Breastfeeding is the preferred feeding method for infants including premature babies and sick newborn babies.

There are also certain recommendations AAP endorses the world health organisation and they are:

  1. Helping new mothers breastfeed as soon as possible after delivery.
  2. Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months.
  3. Providing a formal evaluation of breastfeeding technique.
  4. Not providing medically unnecessary supplements in the newborn period.
  5. Avoiding pacifier use until babies are about 3 to 4 weeks old and nursing well.
  6. Indicating that babies should sleep close to their mothers.

 

 

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