Chickenpox in Toddlers: By Dr. Mohammed Yunus Kafil

Chickenpox in Toddlers:

Chickenpox (varicella), a viral illness characterised by a very itchy red rash, is one of the common infectious diseases amongst children. It is usually mild in children but occasional complications like bacterial pneumonia may occur.

People who have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime immunity (meaning you are extremely unlikely to get it again). However, the virus remains dormant in the body and it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.

What causes chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or by contact with the clothing, bed linens or oozing blisters of an infected person. The onset of symptoms is 10 to 21 days after exposure. The disease is most contagious a day or two before the rash appears and until the rash is completely dry and scabbed over.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face, and limbs. The symptom lasts for 7 to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes or on the genitals and can be very painful.

This cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until all of the sores have healed (takes about two weeks). The disease is contagious until all the spots have dried up. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at least one day before the rash breaks out.

When to seek medical advice?

  • You think your child has chickenpox. A doctor can confirm your diagnosis
  • Chickenpox is accompanied by severe skin pain and the rash produces a greenish discharge and the surrounding skin becomes red, these are signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection
  • Chickenpox is accompanied by a stiff neck, persistent sleepiness or lethargy as these are symptoms of a more serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis. Get medical help immediately
  • While your child is recovering from chickenpox and gets fever, convulsions, starts vomiting, or feeling drowsy. Get medical help immediately
  • An adult family member gets chickenpox
  • You are pregnant, have never had chickenpox and are exposed to the disease. Your unborn child may be at a risk so seek medical advice without delay.

What is treatment for chickenpox?

Chickenpox is extremely contagious. Keep your child at home until all of the blisters have burst and crusted over.

Most cases of chickenpox require little or no treatment beyond treating the symptoms.

The prescription antiviral drug Aciclovir is effective for shortening the duration of chickenpox symptoms and may be recommended for certain people with chickenpox, such as pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and adults who seek medical advice within 24 hours of the rash appearing.

In addition, your doctor may recommend painkillers and an antihistamine to relieve pain, itching and swelling. Antibiotics are used if a secondary bacterial skin infection arises or if the person with chickenpox develops bacterial pneumonia.

Vaccination for chickenpox:-

IAP(Indian academy of pediatrics) recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults.

Children should receive two doses of the vaccine’the first dose at 15 months and a second dose at 4 and half years.

Kids who are older than 5 years but younger than 13yrars, who have not had chickenpox also may receive the vaccine, with the two doses given at least 3 months apart.

Kids 13 years or older who have not had either chickenpox or the vaccine need two vaccine doses at least 1 month apart.

By

Dr. Mohammed Yunus Kafil | Know your doctor https://www.motherhoodindia.com/dr-mohammed/

The Common Cold in Children

Cold is the most common reason for a pediatric office visit. ItŸ??s responsible for a childŸ??s absence from school & parentŸ??s staying away from work.

Let us try to understand this common illness in the next few paragraphs.

What causes a Cold?

Ÿ??ColdŸ? is a group of symptoms caused by a number of viruses.Over a hundred viruses may be responsible. Therefore a child may be affected multiple times each year.

Children under 6 years of age may average 6-8 colds per year. Children in daycare appear to suffer from cold more commonly. The frequency of such episodes may decrease by the time they reach primary school.Episodes of cold may be more in children as they are still developing their immunity.

Colds may occur at any time of the year. Transmission occurs from one person to another directly or due to viruses in the environment. Colds tend to be more contagious during the first two to four days.

Contact Ÿ?? Cold virus may survive on the skin for upto 2 hrs & on surfaces (such as door handles, toys ) for upto a day. Infection can spread by touching such objects& then touching the nose, eyes, mouth of the uninfected.

Inhalation– Droplets containing virus or viral particles are released by coughing & during exhalation. However it is not usually transmitted by this route.

What are the symptoms?

Signs & symptoms usually show up a day or two after exposure. Nasal congestion & discharge are the most common symptoms. Discharge can be clear, yellow or green. Fever may be present during the initial phase. Other symptoms include: Sore throat, cough, difficulty in sleeping and decreased appetite. The glands in the neck may be enlarged. Symptoms may continue for up to 2 weeks and are usually worst during first 10 days. A second cold may sometimes superimpose and extend the period of sickness.

What are the complications?

Ear infections, wheezing, sinusitis & pneumonia are the common complications.

Ear infections: If a child develops fever after the initial phase of illness or fever continues for a prolonged period (beyond 3 days) ear infection can be suspected.

Wheezing: Children may develop wheezing even if they have not wheezed before. Colds may worsen asthma.

Sinusitis: If nasal congestion does not improve does not improve over 10 days then sinusitis may be suspected.

Pneumonia: Late onset of fever or prolonged fever may suggest pneumonia, especially if the child has signs of breathing difficulty.

How do you manage?

Treatment of cold is usually symptomatic:

  • Anti-histamines, decongestants and cough expectorants have been used with adults.
  • Improve symptoms of nasal congestion. Saline nose drops may be used to thin mucus.
  • Suction can be used to remove secretions. Adequate amounts of fluids must be taken. Honey can be used in children older than one year. Antibiotics are not effective in treating colds but may be used if complications are suspected.
  • Vitamin C used preventive may decrease the duration of cold.

How to prevent:

Hand hygiene:

  • Maintaining hand hygiene either by washing with soap and water or by using alcohol based hand rub.
  • Avoid contact of child with people who are ill.
  • Clean surfaces with household cleaner eg. Lysol

Danger Signs:

Seek immediate help in the presence of the following symptoms.

  • Prolonged refusal of feeds
  • Excessive irritability or lethargy
  • Difficulty in breathing or rapid breathing
  • Fever lasting more than 3 days
  • Prolonged nasal congestion (more than 10-15 days)
  • Ear pain & other signs of infection

Umbilical Cord Care By Dr. Prashanth Gowda

In the womb, the umbilical cord connects the fetus to the mother. After birth, the cord is no longer needed. It is cut, then clamped. The stump of the cord usually dries and falls off the newborn in a 7-12 days or so. Sometimes the stump falls off before the first week. Other times, the stump may stay longer. You may notice a red, raw-looking spot right after the stump falls off. A small amount of fluid sometimes tinged with blood may ooze out of the navel area. It is normal for this to last up to 2 weeks after the stump falls off. If it doesnŸ??t heal or dry completely within 2 weeks, call your doctor.

General care of the umbilicus / belly button:
Ÿ?? Keep the belly button clean and dry
Ÿ?? Cleanse belly button with soap and warm water when it gets soiled with urine or stool.
Ÿ?? Expose the belly button to the air by rolling back the top of the nappy.
Ÿ?? Do not apply anything over it.

When to call a doctor?
Call your babyŸ??s doctor if you see any signs of an infection. These signs include:
Ÿ?? Pus (yellowish fluid) that is around the base of the cord and smells bad.
Ÿ?? Red, tender skin around the base of the cord.
Ÿ?? Your baby crying when you touch the cord or the skin around it.
Ÿ?? Fever.

What is an umbilical granuloma?
An umbilical granuloma is an overgrowth of tissue during the healing process of the belly button (umbilicus). It usually looks like a soft pink or red lump and often is wet or leaks small amounts of clear or yellow fluid. It is most common in the first few weeks of a babyŸ??s life.

General Care:
Ÿ?? Follow the doctorŸ??s instructions for cleaning the granuloma and area around it. Use a clean, moist cloth or cotton swab. Gently lift the stump to clean the navel underneath. Be sure to remove all drainage and clean an inch around the base.
Ÿ?? Pat the area with a clean cloth and allow it to air-dry. You may have to roll the diaper down below the navel to expose the granuloma to air.
Ÿ?? Wash your hands well before and after caring for the stump. This will help prevent infection.
Ÿ?? Watch for signs of infection

How is an umbilical granuloma treated?
If there is an umbilical granuloma and no obvious infection, then your General Physician, pediatrician, midwife or health visitor may suggest salt treatment. This has been found to be an effective and safe treatment which you can do at home.
Other treatment option copper sulphate, silver nitrate treatment will be suggested. This has to be done by a health professional. The health professional who advised the treatment can provide you with the gauze swabs needed (or you can buy extras from a pharmacy if needed).

How to do the salt treatment:
Ÿ?? Apply a small pinch of table or cooking salt onto the umbilical granuloma.
Ÿ?? Cover the area with a gauze dressing Ÿ??swabŸ?? and hold it in place for 10-30 minutes. This may be easiest to do when your baby is asleep.
Ÿ?? Now clean the site using a clean gauze dressing soaked in warm water.
Ÿ?? You should repeat the procedure twice a day for at least two days.
Ÿ?? If itŸ??s not getting better visit your pediatrician.

By
Dr. Prashanth Gowda, MBBS DNB DCH FIPM

Love and Limits?? Parenting playfully

Harmonious Family Life Tips to Balancing Love and Limits - Motherhood Hospital India

Discipline and Freedom: What’s the correlation between these two powerful words? Discipline is taken up as a serious business by some parents, they curb their child’s freedom to choose or act. But as they say, freedom brings in opportunities to learn likewise disciplining needs to bring in the freedom to think and choose. Our goal as a parent is to teach the child all about inner discipline or ‘self-discipline (Thoughts, feelings and choices) which takes a while for the child to learn and absorb. This inner discipline comes from a high sense of principles or values, understanding and conscience rather than the use of punishment, which uses scale or stick, shame, humiliation or even isolation.

Self-discipline is internalizing responsible actions and respect for others, the environment, and oneself. Discipline shouldn’t be about forcing a child to do something against his or her will, scaring the child into compliance or causing physical or emotional pain. Instead, validate the child’s feelings, empathize with his or her experience or pain, remove the stressor, point out the needs and feelings of others, encourage restitutions, help the child brainstorm alternative forms of actions and allow freedom of choice.

It starts with parents feeling the lack of freedom, stressing and focusing more on the role they play. However, grandparents are a lot more relaxed and experimental.They enjoy freedom, explore and bond with children a lot more, because their focus is on relationship and not responsibilities. A child feels empowered when given a chance to explore, play and feel free An essential element to grow. Our nature wants us to be free, try everything, taste everything and do everything.

Need for a paradigm shift

Parents often see uncooperative behavior as a challenge to their authority. Once we understand that uncooperative behavior may be the communication of a child’s unmet need, a hurt or any unpleasant emotion or stress, then we do not have to take the behavior, personally. A child behaves in a certain way, either in a new situation or a recurring one, because he does not know the accepted way. Using commands and threats may work immediately, but sustainability comes when such situations are dealt with love, respect, compassion, freedom and positive reinforcements. 

A child needs love the most, when we think he doesn’t deserve it.

Give your child the freedom to choose his outfit for the day, lunch for school, choose how to spend his time, play or do homework. Simple questions like these make a child feel important, involved and most importantly, valued. This freedom may require you to set limits, simple rules and directions towards acceptable and unacceptable behavior, as a family. Explain these to your child in a way that makes sense to him and most importantly benefits him, which is undoubtedly a skill for a parent to learn. Talking about positive and negative consequences helps the child connect his actions to the outcomes and eventually helps him understand the concept of cause and effect. He is then empowered to think through and predict the possible consequences before he acts.

You may have to set this new pattern, reinforce and remind your child till he is ready to accept it, with love being the key. This takes time, but the only way we learn to make responsible decisions is through practice, which comes with trial and error. And it is through freedom and practice that the child learns how to discipline himself and how to be a responsible person. He identifies feelings and develops his inner compass for what is right and wrong.

The idea is to help children develop a conscience through a strong, connected parent child relationship, allowing them to feel secured, confident and teaches them how to reconcile their mistakes. We teach best by being the example. Define love as a culture, use respect as a tool and hold compassion as the attitude to teach your child the essential lessons of behavior.

Fit Mothers, Fit Babies!

Physical exercises help in enhancing and maintaining body wellness and health. And during pregnancy, exercises are a must. However, there will be a slight change in the course of exercises from the normal regime. It is said that fit mothers have healthy and fit babies.

As much as stress and high amount of physical toil should be avoided during pregnancy, exercise on the other hand must be undertaken by all the mothers-to-be. Moreover, research is witness that women who stay fit during their pregnancy term are instrumental in the development of healthy hearts of their babies.

In addition to having healthy hearts, the babies also have healthy blood vessels which help in resisting any sort of problems in the arteries. And the positive consequences of exercising are extended to their adulthood. They develop a good immunity level as they grow older.

There are a lot of advantages of exercising during pregnancy. For the mother-to-be, exercises are recommended because they help in providing relief from backaches and also help in improving the posture of the body and preparing it for labor. If not at all days of the week, moderate intensity level exercises are recommended for pregnant woman timed at about 30-40 minutes per day. This helps in reducing constipation by accelerating the bowel movement and also helps in avoiding any kind of joint wear and tear which usually happens during pregnancy due to hormonal changes with the help of lubricating fluids in the joints.

If you are going to be a mommy, then the most important thing is for you to sleep well and be relieved of any type of stress and anxiety which might make you restless during the nights. Exercising on a regular basis during pregnancy increases the blood circulation in the body and results in a healthier glowing skin. Not only do you start looking more beautiful, you also are prepared to cope with labor pain and it is easier for you to get back into shape after the delivery of the child if you exercise while you are pregnant.

The biggest upside to being fit during pregnancy is that the risk of low birth weight, complications during pre-term delivery, or early pregnancy loss is minimized and the baby is born with a healthy heart and metabolism. The quality of the blood vessels in the pregnant women who exercise regularly is higher as compared to those who do not exercise.

When you exercise during pregnancy, there are significant changes in your vascular muscles that line the arteries which are of high importance in maintaining cardiovascular health. As a result of which, the baby is born with a strong inbuilt cardiovascular system and is helpful in avoiding a lot of diseases in future.

How Do Vaccinations Work

Protective benefits of vaccination: Essential components of immunization - Motherhood Hospital India

A newborn is immune to some infections because it receives antibodies from its mother; this is called “passive immunity“. Passive immunity lasts for a few weeks or months. Ironically, that immunity begins to fade away in the first few months of life. So, it’s very important to follow an immunization schedule.

What is vaccination?

Vaccination protects you from specific diseases that can make you very sick, disable or even kill you. Vaccines help develop immunity by imitating an infection as it would react when it recognizes and fights the real infection. They trick the body into thinking it is under assault & trigger the immune system to produce its own antibodies (substances produced by the body to fight disease), as though the body has been infected with a disease without actually infecting us and harming us with the disease. This is called “active immunity“.

Thus, vaccination is like a dress rehearsal for your immune system so it is prepared for the real show .

How does it work?

When germs, such as bacteria or viruses, invade the body, they attack and multiply quickly. This invasion is called an infection , which causes the illness.

  • The vaccine contains antigens: harmless substances (such as dead bacteria or molecules) associated with the disease.
  • The body assumes the antigens are the actual disease, and its immune system stimulates white blood cells to activate and create antibodies – proteins that can fight the disease’s bacteria or viruses – the invading organism.

How are vaccines created?

Viruses and bacteria can be produced in the laboratory by infecting cells grown in tissue culture; thereby weakening or attenuating it by growing it repeatedly to carefully select a strain that’s less dangerous.The treated pathogen is then combined with stabilizers and preservatives, to produce a vaccine dose.

Does it have any harmful side-effects?

Seldom, vaccination can cause minor symptoms, such as fever. They are normal and can be expected as the body builds immunity. If a child was given 11 vaccines all at the same time, it would only use a thousandth of its immune system, so it does not harm the baby!

How long is the vaccine effective?

Generally vaccinations provide lifelong protection against a disease, but others need boosting. The duration depends on the disease that is being protected against, the vaccine and the person’s inbuilt immunity.

Some vaccines provide high levels of protection like MMR provides 90% protection against measles and rubella after single dose. Others are not as effective typhoid vaccine provides around 70% protection over three years; Tetanus may need boosters.

The antibodies don’t disappear even after their work is done. If these germs reappear, whether it’s a few weeks or many years later, the antibodies are ready to protect & prevent the infection.

Is one vaccination enough to give my child immunity?

The antibodies are very specific. They have been created to combat to a specific disease. The mumps virus, cannot to work against rubella. Thus, one should follow the immunization schedule. Young children are vulnerable to many potentially dangerous infections.

Can vaccination eliminate diseases?

The disease can be eradicated completely if the vaccination is given to most people, as has happened with smallpox and polio. If enough people in a community are vaccinated, it’s harder for a disease to infect even those people who have not been vaccinated. This is called “herd immunity“.

Teaching Your Child Good Manners

They say parents are the first teachers in the life of a child. That is why it is important to start inculcating good behaviour in your child as early as possible. Good behaviour can be taught at any time and any place, at family meals, outings, etc. In this blog we provide parents basic tips they need to teach good behaviour to their child. This will improve the child’s personality and promote positive social behaviour. Be a role model to your child Remember the old saying, Practice what you preach ? That’s exactly what you need to do. If you want your child to say please and ‘thank you , you need to be good examples. You need to give respect to earn respect from others, including your child. Family meals are the best time to showcase the right behaviour to the child. Use polite language while talking to your spouse and other members of the family especially in the presence of the child. Table manners can be easy to teach when the family eats together. Let others try teaching your child Do you think your child is not listening to you? Maybe you should let someone your child looks up to, to help you out. Maybe a neighbour, friend, or relative that your child really looks up to or is very fond of should motivate your child to display good manners. blog food Also get the same people to behave in good way in front of the child. Other too must be a good influence on your child. After all children are extremely impressionable and can easily learn impolite behaviour. Acknowledge and appreciate good behaviour It is important that you appreciate your child each time he demonstrates good behaviour.Encourage him to be quiet and well behaved when you go to public places like restaurants and the movies. When he does remain quiet and well behaved, tell him how impressed you are with his behaviour. Places like the mall or a kiddie restaurant can be a good place to practice good manners. Rewarding good behaviour is also a good idea but don’t let the child behave well only for the rewards. Eventually, when you take your child out to fancy restaurants and other social gatherings, he will know exactly how to behave. Be polite, positiveandpatient The key ingredients to raising a well-behaved child include the three P’s:
  • Politeness: Remember to be polite to your child while correcting wrong behaviour. Keep your voice low but firm and look straight into his eyes while talking. The child must understand that you are correcting him because you care and not because you want to control.
  • Positivity: Parents must always have a positive attitude while teaching the child good manners. Don’t use negative words that can make the child feel threatened, fearful or not loved .Choose your words wisely while correcting the child.
  • Patience: Patience is important as well. Teaching good manners is not an overnight affair. At first you might feel you are fighting a losing battle, but success doesn’t come easy. Give your child to understand and learn the benefits of good behaviour. Also remember that every child is different and you might have to use a different, customised approach if required. Combine these tips with your parenting instincts, and you re good to go!

Tips for Feeding Fussy Infants &Toddlers

Expert Tips on Healthy Nutrition Guidance to Feeding Fussy Infants/Toddlers - Motherhood Hospital India

Looking after a toddler can be an overwhelming task in more ways than one. Not only do you have to deal with your hyperactive kid who’s extremely curious about everything that he comes across, feeding time can seem like a long battle often lost to the young explorer.You might be cooking up the healthiest meal for your child and in a matter of minutes see it splattered all over the table or floor.

To make things worse, you often take this rejection of your cooking quite personally, which adds to the stress. Let’s look at some successfully tried and tested tips on how to feed picky infants and toddlers.

fussy-eaters

Ways to tickle their taste buds.

  1. Offer small quantities of food at regular intervals throughout the day. Breaking the meals into small portions aids digestion and helps the body absorb the nutrients better.
  2. Make use of an ice tray to add different varieties of food in each section. Use foods of different colours to make it look more interesting. For example, you can place a variety of foods like bit-size pieces of boiled vegetables or cut fruits, cereals, cheese bits, etc.
  3. Also, give the above mentioned finger foods some interesting names or cut them into fun shapes. For instance, you can call broccoli florets little trees or thinly sliced carrots ‘swords . Use your creativity or the vast amount of free online resources to come up with something new every once in a while and soon you ll be a pro!
  4. Invite a few friends your child’s age and let them share a meal. Sharing food and watching another child eat may arouse some interest in the food and also inculcate some good habits.
  5. Pack the food in some fanciful way, to make it look like you re making a special delivery just for him. Use easy kitchen tools like a pizza or a cookie cutter to cut idlis, parathas, etc. into interesting shapes.
  6. Make dips out of cheese, fruit or vegetable puree. Kids often enjoy dipping boiled vegetables and toast into their favourite dips.
  7. Make an interesting picture with different food items on the plate and encourage the child to make it disappear one by one (by eating it of course!)
  8. Join your child in the meals and say positive words like, umm’this is so yummy! and, I just love these so much, don’t you?
  9. Don’t keep any hard and fast rules as to what should be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Give your child whatever he prefers during any meal.
  10. Be as inconsistent as possible when it comes to food. The more the variety the more there is chance of the child being interested in eating sooner or later.

The most important factor in dealing with fussy eaters is to be patient. Don’t be surprised if your child does not show interest in the first few days of the change you introduce. Remember that this is just a passing and constantly changing phase. More importantly, remember that it is a perfectly natural developmental phase of your child’s life.

For further details or queries , kindly contact us at motherhoodindia.com

Introducing solid foods to your baby

A babyŸ??s digestive system is not ready for solid food until after the baby is about 4 to 6 months old. Until then it is recommended that the baby is exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed. Breast milk or formula milk has the nourishment and calories required for your babyŸ??s development in the first 6 months of her life.

Most mothers want to be sure that they introduce solid food at the right time. There are some signs you can look for in order to know when your baby is ready to include solids in her diet. However, make sure the baby can hold her head up, can lean or sit upright on a highchair.

Signs to watch out for in the baby

  • Starts to put things into her mouth
  • Opens mouth when you take food close to her mouth
  • Asks for more frequent feeds or cries for more after her bottle is empty
  • Shows interest in food that others are eating
  • Can hold small bits of food in the mouth and push it to the back of the mouth
  • Her weight has doubled from her original birth weight

What should I feed my baby the first time?

Babies should ideally be given liquid or semi-solid foods with a spoon to see if they are ready and also to make it easier for them to go through this process. One important thing to remember here is to feed the same kind of food for the first few days just to make sure that your baby is not allergic to a particular food, and also observe if her stools are normal. Move on to a new variant if there are no allergic reactions like vomiting, rashes and diarrhoea. You can try the following options:

  • Boiled and pureed vegetables like pumpkin, carrot, potato, avocado, etc.
  • Boiled and pureed single-grain cereals like rice, ragi or lentils
  • Mashed fruits like banana or apple puree
  • Yogurt
  • Custard

Things to remember when introducing solids to your baby

  • Avoid using vegetables like spinach, beetroot that are high in nitrates. Nitrates can cause a type of anaemia in small children.
  • You donŸ??t need to enhance the flavour of the food with salt or sugar.
  • Start with a few spoons at a time and increase the quantity gradually.
  • Make sure that there are no lumps in the food as the baby can choke on it.
  • If you are using commercial baby food, ensure you use boiled water while preparing it.
  • Avoid giving solids in a bottle so that the baby understands the difference between solids and liquids. This will also help the baby adapt to other solid foods eventually.

Once your baby is about 8 months old and has tried different kinds of pureed foods, you can begin introducing some more solid varieties of food. Your baby will most likely begin to chew at this stage although she doesnŸ??t really have any grinding teeth. This is a good time to switch to Ÿ??finger foodsŸ??. These are small bits of foods that can be easily mashed when in the mouth. Babies will begin grasping the food in their hands

  • Soft cheese,
  • Small pieces of boiled vegetables,
  • Cooked pasta,
  • Cut or thinly sliced fruits like banana,
  • Minced meat or chicken are good options during this stage.

Feeding a baby can be a messy affair! So make sure you have a bib and some cleaning cloth in place to clean spills. Another essential ingredient is to have lots of patience. It is not necessary that your baby will like and eat the food in the very first attempt. Feed the baby in a place where there arenŸ??t many distractions so that feeding time is not just a nutritive but a fun learning process for your baby.

For further details or queries , kindly contact us at tomotherhoodindia@gmail.com