Introduction: The postnatal stage which begins right after the birth of the baby is equally as crucial as pregnancy and childbirth. During this stage, the mother and the newborn needs equal care and attention, that’s why this article focuses solely on why consulting maternity experts is necessary for correct postnatal care.
Why is consulting experts for postnatal care important?
Given that maternal and infant deaths typically happen within the first few hours of giving birth, postnatal care is absolutely essential for both the mother and the newborn child. The mother must give the kid ongoing care and attention, prioritizing early and exclusive breastfeeding, sanitary skin and umbilical cord care, and keeping the newborn warm.
Importance of Postnatal Care
The mother and infant are not to be sent home during the postnatal care treatment time since the first 24 hours are crucial. Several procedures aid in lowering the danger for both the mother and the kid during these times. Prior to the mother being discharged from a medical facility, she will receive counseling and an evaluation as a part.
How is it done?
Postnatal care is usually done by maternity experts. In the first few hours following birth, the situation is evaluated, and any potential issues are identified. The postnatal examination aids the medical examiner in determining whether the mother or the baby exhibits any characteristics of the disease.
Women should be made aware of how important it is to have support, prioritize postpartum visits, and schedule them on time. During these exams, it is also crucial to emphasize the significance of having a balanced diet and receiving enough rest and sleep.
Who is eligible?
Only recent mothers and their newborns are qualified for the treatment. Every new mother and her newborn child must receive postnatal care. Women who give birth in a hospital alone are not the only ones who qualify for postnatal care. Even if the mother gives birth at home, it should still be made available to her.
Any side-effects?
There are no adverse effects to the treatment because this session concentrates on educating women about caring for their newborns and spotting warning indications.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.
Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.
Introduction: You finally have your newborn in your hand and instead of swooning over the arrival of the cutie, you hear some random myths telling you what to do and what not to do, for you and your baby. Sounds annoying, doesn’t it? Worry not, mommy, you got me, as I am here to bust some after-delivery myths as well as share some postpartum depression care tips.
Myths About Postpartum Care
Avoid ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ foods: The next time you hear someone telling you to avoid eggplant (referred to be ‘hot’) or okra (‘cold’), completely ignore it. Science disproves this and declares it to be unfounded. Your body needs all the nourishment it can get since you recently gave birth. Eat a balanced diet and limit your intake of extra calories.
No lifting heavy weights if you had a C-section: You will gradually regain strength and be able to resume your normal activities and lift heavy objects as you did before even after a C-section, after six weeks.
Eat betel leaf (Paan) for calcium: Eating “Paan” won’t give you any calcium; instead, it will just darken your teeth.
Eat ‘Ghee’ to strengthen your joints: In order to relax your joints in time for labor, the mom’s body secretes a hormone called relaxin throughout pregnancy. The effects of this hormone persist for some time even after delivery. With time, your joint strength will cause it to return. So’Ghee’ has nothing to do with joint strength.
Ajwain (carom seed) water must be consumed after delivery: It is not bound for you to have it if you don’t like the taste of it. You always have the option to switch to other drinks, as long as your body is getting enough fluid intake.
Apply a hot water bag, heating pad, or hot water bottle to the area to relieve any abdominal pain.
In the postpartum days, constipation is typical. Drink a lot of water and consume more meals high in fiber to help it go away.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who is experts in handling complex deliveries, gynecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.
Do take an appointment with the best maternity hospital at a center closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.
Family planning is the right of everybody where it depends upon the couples whether they choose to have a baby or not. Family planning allows you to understand the importance of pregnancy spacing and the factors that are to be considered before trying to conceive. If you are planning on for a pregnancy, you should also know about the care your child will require at different stages of life.
Quick Fact: Many unplanned pregnancies can occur in the very few months after giving birth to a child.
Family Planning
It is always better to plan your pregnancy so that you are ready for conception or otherwise. While you may not be ready to have a child for some years, family planning gives you another benefit to prepare and time your pregnancy as well. For those who already have a child, trying for another pregnancy can be question they might be pondering upon. Therefore, spacing between pregnancy becomes also important where your preferences matter. While the research suggests than you should plan your second pregnancy after 18 to 24 months, but keeping this space below five years is considered better.
When it comes to not having a baby, it is better to look out if you are having unprotected intercourse. Talking to your doctor and conferring with the use of contraceptives can help you plan your life accordingly.
Child Care
If you planned to go ahead with pregnancy and start your family, you need to be committed towards the care and development of your child as well. It is up to the parents to ensure their child is safe, stimulating and growing in the environment along with yielding opportunities for his development. Parents need to understand that how children grow and how to respond to their needs as well. Besides, they should also make up to the clean and safe environment around them along with looking upon their nutritional requirements.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist who are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological needs, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.
Do take an appointment with the best women and childcare hospital at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.
When it comes to the weight of a newborn, every mother wants her baby to be healthy, unlike underweight children that are a point of concern for them.
Quick fact: Low birth weight contributes to 60 to 80 percent of neonatal deaths worldwide.
Low birth weight: Usually, low birth weight is primarily due to the premature delivery in which the weight of the baby is likely to be less than 2.5 kg, so it becomes significant to handle such cases with profound supervision. The neonatal intensive care unit is the place where care and protection is given to low birth weight or preterm babies. Motherhood Hospital has one of the best infant baby care hospitals specializing in rendering the best service for the baby that satisfies the caring notion of parents.
Underweight baby vs Normal baby
When a child is born underweight, that makes every mother worrisome. But how do you differentiate between a normal baby and an underweight baby? There are some differences that must be highlighted to understand the concept where the steps for treatment will follow.
An underweight baby usually weighs less than 2.5 kg unlike a normal baby that weighs in between 2.5 kg and 3.5 kg, and is physically smaller than a normal one.
While some underweight babies can be healthy, some are exposed to serious health problems that require treatment. Premature delivery is one of the common causes attributed to low birth weight of the baby as most of the normal babies are born at a right time, unlike a premature birth. A baby is considered premature when it is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy while as a normal baby is born between 37 weeks to 41 weeks.
Treatment for underweight babies
Here are some treatments that underweight babies might receive –
The underweight baby may be born with complications and the doctor might try to treat the child by feeding it through a tube. They might also use an IV or an intravenous line to feed the child to give the necessary nutrition. It is significant for the concerned mother to visit the best maternity hospitals that have a specialized neonatal intensive care unit.
Tips to handle an underweight baby
If the underweight baby does not need any special care from the doctors, you, as a mother can follow the following tips to give the best nourishment to your underweight baby.
Breastfeeding:Breastfeeding is the best nourishment for any baby. If your baby is underweight, focus on making a schedule. You must breastfeed your baby quite often, following a strict routine to ensure feeding from time to time. It is ideal if you can breastfeed your precious little one after every two to three hours. Do not feed your little one anything other than breast milk as it contains much needed nutrition that promotes the growth as well as immunity to the baby.
Massage your baby: Massage is good for all newborns. Underweight babies can also benefit from regular massages. Oil massages can help your baby gain weight at a consistent and steady pace. For the first few months, you can consider massaging your baby yourself for better results.
Skin-to-skin contact: Skin-to-skin contact with your baby or ‘kangaroo care’ is proven to help your baby . Kangaroo care or skin-to-skin contact with your baby has multiple benefits such as maintaining the baby’s warmth, and regulating the baby’s heartbeat and breathing rates as well. Skin-to-skin contact also helps the baby get healthy sleep and the right nutrition from breast milk.
Seek support and help: If your baby is still underweight after trying all the tips to handle its low weight, it might be more serious. It is best if you seek the right help from the right doctors to receive the best underweight treatment for your precious little one.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Neonatal specialists in sector48, Noida. Our Neonatology Department has expert neonatologists, paediatricians, paediatric surgeons, and nurses that are trained in new-born care.
Do take an appointment with the top Neonatal hospital in Chennai, Alwarpet. Meet our doctors, who will do the necessary investigations, identify the problem, and suggest the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.
Perhaps one of the most charming moments for a woman is to become a mother. However, those moments can gradually wane weeks on, punctuated thereafter by moments of physical and emotional challenges. The body naturally experiences a lot of changes after giving birth and while the focus has turned to caring for the baby, most forget that postpartum care for the mother is by far the most important aspect to take note of.
Every birth is unique, and therefore tough to determine the exact postpartum life of the mom. Understanding the ways a mother’s body may change, and taking appropriate steps during this postpartum period is a priority that will help you ease your life.
What to expect:
Some of the common postpartum changes can be:
Constipation
Hormonal changes
Haemorrhoids
Discomfort from C-section incision
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Difficulty urinating
Soreness of the breasts and nipples
Perineum
Vaginal bleeding or discharge.
Postpartum care tips to follow:
The various ways in which pregnancy and childbirth affect the body may seem very intimidating, especially for new mothers. It can actually be tough to adjust to these changes; but postpartum health care tips help immensely in healing and taking care of the body, after giving birth.
1. Heal your body
The body experiences a lot during childbirth be it a vaginal delivery or C-section. It’s not as if you will get rid of postpartum challenges within a few days. It takes time and sometimes even months for the body to recover completely after pregnancy and childbirth. Let’s look at some of the steps that one can follow to gradually heal:
Vaginal soreness: Sit on a pillow or padded ring, use ice packs and keep your perineum away from irritation by spraying the area with warm water while urinating.
C-section scar: Consult your doctor about the care you need for C-section scar and clean it gently before applying an antibiotic ointment.
Pelvic floor changes: Perform regular Kegel exercises to provide your vagina and perineum with enough recovery after stretching during delivery.
Tender breasts: Frequent breastfeeding helps relieve engorged breasts and you can also try ice packs, warm compresses and gentle massaging in case of aches.
2. Give priority to rest
The extreme physical toll of labour and then having sleepless nights with the new-born can exhaust the new mom. Do not forget to give priority to your sleep to avoid postpartum fatigue. Make it a point to take a quick snooze whenever the baby is asleep.
3. Ask for help
At times new moms may feel shy and hesitant to ask for help from others. Do not forget that you definitely need postpartum care, and life for a new mother can be much easier and recovery faster, once you have assistance from friends and family.
4. Keep moving
Regular exercise and physical activity have shown great results in recovery from postpartum symptoms. Exercise is a great tool to boost energy levels, relieve stress and strengthen muscles after childbirth, however, it is best to consult your doctor before getting on a regime. Usually, most of the doctors will ask you to avoid rigorous activity and focus on gentle exercise such as walking in the garden and so forth.
5. Healthy diet
Eating well and healthy is always beneficial in postpartum care. It will help you fight constipation and fatigue while assisting you to shed the extra weight you gained during pregnancy.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a team of experienced super specialists backed by the latest in infrastructure and facilities. We have the best Gynaecologist specialists in Lullanagar, Pune.We are experts in handling complex deliveries, gynaecological, and other surgeries including a range of laparoscopic surgeries.
Do take an appointment with the best Gynaecology hospital in Indiranagar at a centre closest to you. Meet with our doctors who will carry out the required investigations, diagnose the issue and recommend the most appropriate treatment, enabling you to lead an active life.
So, you’ve finally delivered your bouncing bundle of joy. Your family is ecstatic, you are relieved, and things are relaxed. Soon, you want to get back to your normal routine – work, chores, regular activities etc. But wait, let it take time. Take it easy. Your recovery postpartum cannot happen in a few days. In fact a full recovery from delivery can take months. While you will begin to feel normal in about 6-8 weeks, it does take a longer time to heal completely.
Usually the postpartum period is referred to as the six week period post-delivery. This is a delicate time for you, the mother, the baby, and the members of the family. Slowly adjust to the fact that you are a mother. There is a certain rhythm that needs to fall into place. Discover it. Firm it up. Adjust it in such a way that it works for you and your baby. Here is what you need to do postpartum.
Get plenty of rest. Sleep as much as you can. Take your time as you cope with the fatigue and tiredness.
Take the help of people around you. If you have relatives or professional help do ask them to do things for you. You need all the help you can get.
Food is extremely important. Maintain a healthy diet consisting of proteins and carbs. Eat in time and follow the same time each day. Ensure you are consuming fibre-rich foods (whole grains, vegetables and fruits). Use stool softeners to ensure a regular bowel movement and avoid straining. This is not good for your perineal tears or C-section scar if you have one.
As your recovery progresses, do begin to walk/ exercise after talking to your doctor. Don’t overdo it. Definitely do not ignore it.
Here are a few things you are advised not to do in this period.
Do not insert anything into the vagina – Based on the kind of delivery you have had, you will be surprised at the kind of changes in your vagina. This includes the stress, stretching and the bleeding. You may feel you are back to normal, opt to resume sex or using tampons. Do wait till your doctor approves these activities. The important thing is the risk of infection.
Your uterus would still be healing post-delivery and if you had vaginal stress, that region would be healing too. It is advised not to use any internal devices such as menstrual cups or tampons considering that there could be an infection on these wounds. Usually bleeding post birth lasts up to 6 weeks. So use pads during this period and remember to change them frequently and wash your hands to prevent infections. As for resuming sex, doctors may recommend waiting for up to 6 weeks after delivery.
Do not overexert yourself – Of course you want to do the best for your baby. Feedings, diaper changes, cleaning all resulting in very little sleep. Take rest and recharge yourself. If you stress yourself too much, you might bleed, cause muscle strain and suffer from anxiety. Take it easy. Do only what you can. Walk gently and do not exercise heavily. Stop exercising if you feel pain. Rest to the maximum.
If there is pain, speak to your doctor – Women could have some pain after delivery but the duration could vary. The usual pain includes:
Cramping as a result of the uterus shrinking to its previous (pre delivery) size
Pain between the vagina and anus
Pain in the region of the incision and sutures
Pain or stiffness in the neck, back, and joints
Pain due to swelling of breasts
It is advisable to see the doctor if you have:
A headache that cannot be addressed with medication or one that affects your vision
Pain and fever over 100.4°F
Pain when passing urine
Heavy bleeding
Pain in a specific region of the breast with reddishness or fever
Smelly discharge
Pain along with swelling in the legs
Difficulty in breathing
Do speak with the doctor who may examine and recommend OTC pain relievers or other medications.
Do not ignore if you are feeling depressed – If you are feeling sad or anxious or stressed in the first fourteen days postpartum, speak to your doctor. Remember you are not alone. Several women go through these symptoms and you must be checked for postpartum depression. Symptoms could include crying, anger, feeling withdrawn, not willing to interact with others or feeling positive.
Don’t fail to use birth control – Remember you could get pregnant after 6-8 weeks post-delivery. Do speak to your doctor about birth control and the options available to you and use them as you resume having sex. Options include: Intrauterine Device (IUD), birth control implant, birth control injection, sterilization or progestin-only birth control.
Stop smoking and drug usage – If you or your partner is a smoker, get immediate support to quit. Smoking damages your health and secondhand smoke is a key risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Smoking could also cause asthma or other respiratory problems in babies.
With usage of drugs too, you risk your or your baby’s life Stop using opioids, cocaine, cannabis or other commonly used recreational drugs and practice a clean and healthy lifestyle.
Remember, the first few months post-delivery, is a period of learning for you and your family. Take it easy and adjust slowly, as your new life falls into a routine. Enjoy the experience without stressing yourself too much and just be mindful and aware.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we have a dedicated team of experts and super specialists with years of experience in addressing a variety of issues related to women and children. If you have an issue you wish to discuss, do take an appointment with one of our experts at a centre near you. You are assured of an accurate investigation, effective diagnosis and treatment ensuring you lead an active life.
Parenthood is an exciting phase but along with it comes several challenges as well. Providing neonatal care is not an easy task since newborns don’t come with any instruction manual. With so many self-proclaimed newborn caring experts present around, you may often find yourself in a situation where you may not what’s the best. And times like being clueless about the right action for your baby’s health is something you want to avoid.
It’s fine if you are worried after seeing certain symptoms in your newborn which may be harmless. On the other hand, it’s also risky to avoid these symptoms and not look for the best neonatal services in Bangalore since it may lead to serious health conditions. Your thumb role should be “When in doubt, consult your doctor”. Also, avoid going to hospitals for every small matter since it may put an effect on your savings while also exposing your newborn to various infections with frequent health care visits.
Symptoms and signs of sickness in your newborn
Practically it is not possible to call your doctor every single moment during the small issues but the following symptoms and signs are something which you shouldn’t avoid:
1. Your baby is avoiding required feed
The first sign of a sick baby is avoiding the required dose of feed. Since babies have small stomachs, they need to be fed at small and frequent intervals along with having very little energy reserves. If your newborn is not showing interest in feeding then you need to get in touch with your doctor.
2. Your baby’s skin is too warm or cold
A small baby’s body is capable of catching a cold or fever very quickly. In case your baby’s skin is too cold or too warm then start with checking their temperature. A temperature of 100.4 F or higher is the sign of fever while 97.7 F or lower is too low for your baby. Contact the child doctor or best fetal medicine specialist for further advice.
3. Your baby is dehydrated
If you want to check whether your baby is dehydrated then you can look for lack of tears when the baby cries, reduced number of wet diapers (normal frequency is 6-8 diapers a day), sunken soft spot on the baby’s head, dry mouth and sunken eyes. Dehydration can be a dangerous situation for your baby and should be addressed immediately with the best neonatal intensive care unit.
4. Disturbed bowel movements
Take note of the number of wet and messy diapers your child makes, too few or too many is the sign of disturbed bowel movements. In case of signs like hard or scanty stools, loose or watery stools or a baby struggling during bowel movements, get in touch with your child’s paediatrician.
5. Change in behaviour
In case you see your baby being too lethargic, floppy, sleepy or crying inconsolably, it is a sign for you to get in touch with your child’s doctor.
6. Rashes on the skin
Contact your child specialist if you see your child’s skin developing rashes, mottled or pale on the body with a temperature that’s higher or lower than normal. Apart from this, your baby’s doctor needs to be contacted in case of developing jaundice that doesn’t go away or spreads throughout the body parts.
7. Difficulty in breathing
Rapid breathing, grunting, stuffy nose, flaring nostrils, coughing, retraction of the ribs or bluish skin colour are the signs to contact your paediatrician immediately.
8. Eye or ear discharge
Sticky discharge from one or both eyes or ear drainage needs immediate attention from your paediatrician.
9. Appearance of blood
Blood appearing in the baby’s spit-up, poop, nose discharge or navel should be immediately addressed by the doctor. Apart from this, pain or bleeding from the penis is also a concerning situation.
At Motherhood Hospitals, we deliver exceptional healthcare services to women and children with highest standard of care and competence.
When a woman who has never had diabetes gets high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, she is said to have gestational diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps to maintain a healthy level of blood sugar.
Higher amounts of other hormones can interfere with your body’s ability to respond to insulin during pregnancy, resulting in high blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes usually gets cured after the delivery as blood sugar level comes down. But it sometimes can turn into Type 2 diabetes.
How can gestational diabetes be a problem even if it is curable?
It can be a problem as the high blood sugar level can bypass the placenta and sometimes be a problem for the unborn baby.
How can it affect the newborn?
Gestational diabetes can cause breathing issues, low levels of calcium, low blood sugar at the time of birth.
High blood sugar levels can also cause an excessive buildup of amniotic fluid, macrosomia, and in rare situations, stillbirth. Early birth, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia are among the other dangers.
How can it be diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes cannot be diagnosed very easily as some may show no signs or symptoms, while others feel severe hunger, thirst or tiredness.
An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is used to determine gestational diabetes (OGTT). A pathology lab is used for this. Before taking this test, you must fast for at least 24 hours.
A sample of your blood will be collected to determine your fasting blood glucose level. You will then be given a sugary drink and your blood will be drawn one and two hours later. You have gestational diabetes if your blood glucose level is higher than usual after a fasting, one- or two-hour test.
How to manage this?
Keep yourself active unless you are advised not to do. It will help you and your baby to stay healthy while also limiting weight gain. Overweight or obese women are more prone to acquire gestational diabetes. Finding the right combination of protein, lipids, and carbs is key to controlling gestational diabetes.
Who is in danger?
When you’re pregnant, any woman can develop gestational diabetes, but you’re at a higher risk if you:
History of PCOS
Family with history of diabetes
Hypertension
Dyslipidemia
Sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
Stressful lifestyle
History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in previous pregnancy
What factors contribute to the cause of gestational diabetes?
All of the above and the placental hormones which work against insulin.
Is there a cure for gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes can be cured for the majority of women but, half of those who test positive for gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Is it possible to lower my chances of developing gestational diabetes?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle prior to conception can assist to lower the risk of gestational diabetes. This is attempting to be as near to a healthy weight as possible, eating healthy foods, and exercising every day.
At 6 weeks after giving birth, all women with gestational diabetes should be tested to see if they have diabetes outside of pregnancy. A woman with gestational diabetes must be conscious of nutrition and exercise for the rest of her life.
Do you have diabetes for the rest of your life if you develop gestational diabetes?
After the baby is born, most women’s diabetes goes away. However, up to one out of every five mothers with gestational diabetes will have high blood glucose levels after their baby is born. As a result, a follow-up oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be performed 6–12 weeks after the baby is born to ensure that blood glucose levels have returned to normal.
It is often a difficult choice for mothers to make whether to care for the sick baby at home or to seek medical help. When is the right time for a parent to make this important call? Sometimes, what seems like a minor ailment can turn into a major health complication, when left untreated without any proper medical attention. You need not fret for every little thing. Nevertheless, whenever you are in doubt, do not hesitate to take medical guidance as the right professional help can safeguard your precious little one from serious illnesses and severe infections.
In this feature, let us understand the various aspects of seeking medical attention at the right time when your baby falls sick.
High temperature: One of the most important red flags of 0 warning would be fever with a temperature higher than 102 F. It is always better not to delay, especially when you observe that the temperature doesn’t drop even after a day.
Diarrhoea and vomiting: Look out for severe loose motions and vomiting, sometimes with the presence of blood. Irrespective of using quick home remedies, this condition requires immediate medical attention.
Breathing issues: If you observe rapid and heavy breathing in your baby, this could often be connected with lungs and chest congestion. Please do not take this easily as the regular flow of oxygen is very important for your baby’s well-being.
Urinary issues: If your baby has difficulty urinating or passing stool, this could be because of a urinary infection. This can be quite uncomfortable and painful for the baby causing much agony to the parents as well. Timely medical intervention can help resolve the problem.
Vaccinations: As discussed in our earlier article on the importance of immunization, please follow the vaccination schedule for various diseases such as flu, hepatitis, polio, etc. This will help you prevent a whole lot of diseases and improve your baby’s immunity to counter any infections in the future.
Eye problems: If you observe discharge in your baby’s eyes which could be caused due to irritants such as baby products or some allergic substances, then please consult the doctor immediately. Some of the signs to catch are swelling of the eyelids, watery eyes, etc. In such cases, please don’t be tempted to line your kid’s eyes with kohl or kajal. Keep them natural as such beauty enhancers can irritate your baby’s eyes.
Other health-related issues: In cases of persistent sore throat, severe headache, or pain in the stomach area which are commonly occurring symptoms along with fever, please seek medical advice.
Dullness and inactivity: If you observe that your child is not at his/her playful self and exhibits dull and inactive behaviour persistently, then please speak to your doctor. Though the child might not experience overwhelming health issues, sometimes this can be linked to his/her overall well-being and any medical conditions in disguise.
We understand that caring for a sick baby can take an emotional toll on the parent. However, with the right kind of medical attention, you can help your baby regain health and happiness. Please understand that these symptoms or signs may not appear very scary but a little delay on your side can cause a major impact. Our message would be: Don’t worry too much but at the same time, don’t take your baby’s health lightly.
Paediatric Endocrinology involves diagnosis, prevention and treatment of children and adolescent populations with endocrinological conditions. The science of Paediatric Endocrinology specializes in the prognosis and treatment of the disorders of the endocrine glands. Dr Venkatachalapathy, a notable paediatric surgeon, explains paediatric endocrinology and its conditions.
The disorders of the endocrine system may include:
Disruptions in physical growth and variations involving lack of physical and sexual development in childhood
What are the objectives of a paediatric endocrinologist?
The objectives of a paediatric endocrinologist include:
understanding the anatomy and functionality of the endocrine system
Identifying the endocrinological diseases linked to the environment
Discovering the chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system
What are the common endocrinological issues in kids?
Endocrine cancers
Hypospadias and Cryptorchidism
Precocious puberty
Diabetes
Obesity
Thyroid disorders
Why do kids suffer from endocrinological disorders?
A few challenges with the endocrine system may create disruptions. Any hormone in excess may complicate paediatric health. Similarly, lack of secretion of a hormone or its scarcity may be harmful to the body. One of the examples may be taller kids owing to the excess of the growth hormone. The lack of growth hormone may disrupt the natural height of kids.
What are the main constituents of the human endocrine system?
The glands that constitute the human endocrine system are:
Reproductive glands
Adrenals
Pineal body
Parathyroids
Thyroid
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Despite being a part of the digestive system, the pancreas is also a part of the endocrine system. The pancreas secretes and produces digestive enzymes. Endocrine glands are those that generate hormones. Pancreas, liver, thymus, lungs, heart, brain and skin, placenta and kidneys are also the organs that release hormones.
Endocrinological disorders and kids:
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism involves excessively high levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. There are various symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight loss
B. Protrusive eyes
C. Swollen neck with an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
D. Excessive perspiration
E. Increase in the heart rate
F. Blood pressure or hypertension
G. Tremors
H. Nervousness
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism involves abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. The deficiency of thyroid hormone may slow the body processes. There are various symptoms of hypothyroidism.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
A. slow heart rate
B. Dry skin
C. Fatigue
D. Delay in the puberty
E. Slow growth
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the autoimmune conditions children may suffer. It involves an autoimmune response from the immune system, which ends up blocking thyroid production.
Endemic Cretinism:
Endemic cretinism involves the onset of hypothyroidism during conception. The cause of endemic cretinism is dietary iodine deficiency hindering the normal thyroid hormones. There are various symptoms of endemic cretinism.
The symptoms of endemic cretinism may include:
A. Spastic Dysplasia
B. Problems with Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills. These problems stem from damage to both pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems.
Diabetes:
Diabetes is a severe condition involving abnormal elevation of blood glucose. Inadequate insulin production is the primary cause of diabetes. It may lead to serious health concerns, including premature death.
It is already affecting over 220 million people worldwide. Low-income countries and middle-income countries are in the clutches of this illness, with over 80% of deaths linked to these countries.
What are the types of diabetes?
Type-1 diabetes
Type-2 diabetes
Type-1 diabetes was previously called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes stems from an autoimmune process destroying the pancreatic islets. The condition mainly affects kids and youngsters. The main risk factors for diabetes mellitus type 1 may be hereditary, autoimmune or environmental. There are various symptoms of type-1 diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes mellitus type-1 include:
A. Excessive thirst
B. Abnormal hunger
C. Weight loss
D. Excessive urination
Are there any risk factors linked to type-1 diabetes?
There are various chemicals or drugs which may trigger diabetes.
They may include:
A. Alloxan
B. Streptozotocin
C. Pentamidine
D. Rodenticides
These are the risk factors that may trigger an autoimmune response. The response may end up destroying the pancreatic islets.
Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is often called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes affects over 90% of diabetics worldwide. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are obesity and deskbound lifestyle or inactive lifestyle.
The symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 2 are similar to that of type 1 diabetes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes remain latent for years to decades. Therefore, the diagnosis may occur later in life. Most patients report that they discovered their diabetes after the complications arose. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is leading to obesity in children worldwide.
Are there any risk factors for diabetes mellitus type 2?
Old age
Family history
History of gestational diabetes
Impairment in the glucose metabolism
Deskbound or sedentary lifestyle
Obesity or being overweight
Hypospadias:
Hypospadias is one of the common birth defects. Hypospadias may affect 1 in 250 newborns. The number has recently doubled. The cause of Hypospadias remains unknown. Some studies correlate it with maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Are there any risk factors for Hypospadias and Cryptorchidism?
Preterm birth may lead to Cryptorchidism. Small gestational age and paternal smoking may lead to hypospadias. Paternal pesticide exposure may be one of the risk factors for Cryptorchidism.
Are there any ways to cope with these problems?
Positive changes in the environment and maintaining an ideal weight are two essential parts of a healthy lifestyle. Youngsters should develop healthy food habits. Parents should encourage their children to eat more organic foods. Children may prefer regular exercise and reduce sedentary lifestyle. Curbing the global problem of obesity requires us to opt for a multidisciplinary approach.
Dr Venkatachalapathy, an expert paediatric surgeon in Hebbal, affirms that it’s necessary to abide by the doctor’s guidance. A paediatric surgery may help diagnose, treat, and manage the surgical needs of kids. Finding a good paediatric surgeon in Bangalore is subject to a general knowledge of endocrinology.
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