Medical Info For Parents

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07/Mar/2024

Constipation in children is common and usually not serious, but parents should be aware of some key points:

  1. Symptoms: Look out for infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, abdominal pain, and difficulty passing stool.
  2. Causes: It can be caused by diet low in fiber, dehydration, changes in routine, withholding stool due to fear or discomfort, or certain medical conditions.
  3. Treatment: Encourage a high-fiber diet, increased water intake, regular exercise, and establishing a regular toilet routine. Sometimes, laxatives or stool softeners may be needed, but consult your pediatrician first.
  4. Prevention: Ensure your child has a balanced diet with plenty of fiber-rich foods, adequate hydration, and regular physical activity.
  5. When to seek medical help: If constipation persists despite home remedies, if there’s blood in the stool, or if your child is experiencing severe abdominal pain or weight loss, consult your pediatrician immediately for further evaluation and management.

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04/Mar/2024

Nebulization is one of a very good modality that is used in children for management of cough or breathing issues.

There is a reservation that most parents have to use nebulizer for their children. However, for younger children especially less than 4 year olds, it is proven as a better modality than using cough syrups.

Medications get administered in a better way.

The dose of medicine delivered is very low when compared to any oral medicine, which helps is lesser toxicity.

There are lesser chances of any unwanted side effects of medications.

The best way to give nebulization in your child is while he or she is calm and playful or sleeping. Forcefully giving nebulization especially while child is crying leads to an ineffective delivery of medicine and ends up being a useless administration.

Please consult your pediatrician for any further query.


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27/Feb/2024

To take care of diaper rash in infants, you can follow these steps:

Keep the diaper area clean by gently washing with warm water during diaper changes. Avoid using wipes that contain alcohol or fragrance, as they can further irritate the skin.
Pat the diaper area dry instead of rubbing to minimize irritation.
Apply a thick barrier cream or ointment to protect the skin from moisture and friction. Look for products containing zinc oxide or petroleum jelly.
Change diapers frequently, ideally every 2-3 hours or as soon as they are wet or soiled, to reduce prolonged exposure to wetness.
Allow some diaper-free time each day to let the skin air out and promote healing.
Use diapers that are breathable and absorbent to minimize moisture buildup.
Avoid tight-fitting diapers or clothing that can rub against the skin and worsen irritation.
If using cloth diapers, ensure they are thoroughly rinsed and laundered with a mild detergent to prevent irritation from detergent residue.
Be cautious with introducing new products such as wipes, detergents, or creams, as some infants may be sensitive to certain ingredients.
If the rash persists or worsens despite home care measures, consult a pediatrician for further evaluation and treatment recommendations.


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23/Nov/2023

Preventive measures for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) in children may include:

  1. Fluid management: Encourage adequate fluid intake during the day but limit it closer to bedtime. No water after 7pm or 8 pm.
  2. Toilet routine: Establish a consistent bedtime toilet routine to empty the bladder before sleep.
  3. Bedtime routine: Ensure a calm and comfortable bedtime environment to reduce anxiety.
  4. Avoiding irritants: Limit caffeinated and sugary drinks, which can irritate the bladder.
  5. Scheduled voiding: Encourage regular bathroom breaks during the day to prevent a full bladder at night.
  6. Night lights: Install a night light to help the child navigate to the bathroom if needed.
  7. Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement and rewards for dry nights.
  8. Bedwetting alarms: Consider using a bedwetting alarm to help the child wake up when they start to wet the bed. This is not available easily. However, parents can put an alarm and wake up during the usual time of bed wetting and encourage child to empty bladder. This process can be done for atleast 2 to 3 weeks to ensure child’s routine is maintained and bet wetting episodes subside.

It’s essential to consult your pediatrician for personalized advice based on the child’s specific situation.


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11/Nov/2023

Loose stools in Children also termed as acute gastroenteritis is a very common problem that small children and toddlers face. It is characterised by loose watery stools, sometime leading to rash in the anal region. As parents managing child with loose stools at home can be very tiresome. However, properly managing and monitoring the child is most important in smooth recovery of the child. Following points to be kept in mind with respect to loose stools occurring in your loved ones :

1. Most loose stools in Children occurs due to viral infection and antibiotics have NO ROLE in its treatment.

2. Maintaining adequate hydration is the most important thing in such situation. Complications can only rise if hydration is not maintained properly.

3. Liquids in any form – water, ors, lime juice, tender coconut water, milk, soups etc should be offered at a regular basis especially if loose watery stools occurs excessively in order to prevent dehydration.

4. ORS when prepared, refer to the instructions given on the packet and mix accordingly. Improper mixing of ORS powder can lead to more problems. Excess and unwanted ORS usage can lead to more sodium in the body which might lead to further complications.

5. Keep a watch on child’s urine output and if any reduction in urine output is noticed, reach out to your pediatrician immediately.

6. If you notice any blood or black coloured stools, consult your pediatrician immediately.

7. Poor oral intake, lethargy, excess sleepiness, dry mouth, sunken eyes are few danger signs to be looked out for and consult your doctor immediately.

 


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30/Oct/2023

A barking cough in children could be a symptom of croup, which is often caused by a viral infection affecting the upper airways.
It can be very disturbing for the child and care takers.
If your child has a barking cough, especially if it’s accompanied by difficulty breathing or a high-pitched sound when inhaling, it’s important to consult your pediatrician immediately.

They can assess the severity and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include humidified air, fluids, or medications.
Avoid to self medicate as this can sometimes lead to complicated situations. In few occasions, children might have to get admitted in the hospital for more frequent medications and monitoring.

Kindly contact your child’s pediatrician for any queries if such scenario arises.


Dr. Vibin KV

Dr. Vibin KV is best pediatrician in south Delhi, near safdarjung enclave. He has over 14 years experience in managing sick children from newborn to 18 years of age.
Conditions treated and services provided at the clinic include:
1) Respiratory illnesses with cough or noisy breathing- bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, wheezing, asthma, foreign body, Inhaler therapy etc.
2) Vaccinations in all age groups.
3) New Born baby care.
4) Diarrhea, dysentery, dehydration.
5) Liver and Kidney Failure.
6) Brain infection including meningitis, encephalitis etc.
7) Urinary problems like Urinary tract infection, poor urine stream, painful urine, tight skin of the penis (phimosis) or paraphimosis, redness or pus at penis area.
8) Nephrotic syndrome and other Kidney related problems.
9) Jaundice, Hepatitis.
10) Poor growth, short stature, overweight, obesity.
11) Childhood diabetes and other endocrine problems in children.
12) Colic in infants.
13) Constipation in infants and older children.
14) Skin conditions like allergies, eczema, dermatitis, herpes, Rashes, dry skin, Dandruff, white patch over face, hair fall, dry scalp, diaper rash, nail problems etc.
15) Hernia or hydrocele- swelling in umbilical, swelling in testis, swelling in inguinal region.
16) Fever and Infections (bacterial, viral, fungal etc)
17) Seizures - Epilepsy, Febrile seizures.
18) worm infestations
19) Fall from height, head injury, Trauma, fractures (bone injury) etc.
20) PICC line and central line insertions.
21) Day care and Inpatient care facilities.
22) Adolescent care - emotional, psychological health.
23) Autism, ADHD, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, Developmental delay.
24) Short surgical procedures needing IV sedation.

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