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KidsDoc Monthly Newsletter from AllForKids
September 2008, Vol-1, Issue-9
By Dr. M.Vijayalakshmi M.D(Peds), M.D(USA), FAAP, DAA
New Quizzes at
Want to know what is the appropriate daily calorie intake for your child? Checkout the Diet Calculator at
www.allforkidsindia.com/allforkids/resources/Dtcalc.aspx to find out.
Periodic Health Alerts/News items of local interest:
AllForKids is proud to announce a weekly Alert/News Service on its web site which brings to you updated health information including disease alerts and local health trends. Please visit www.allforkidsindia.com and click on the Alert pop up to see this week's alert and alerts/news from past weeks.
Child Safety – Avoiding burn injuries
Burn/Fire injuries are one of the most traumatic and risky injuries that can happen to a child or adult. Here are some tips that will help reduce the chances of a burn injury to children and adults.
- Never leave food unattended on a stove.
- Never cook or carry food while handling or carrying a child
- Avoid using table clothes on tables when you have young children in the house
- Keep cooking areas free of flammable objects (such as towels).
- Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking.
- Be very careful while handling gas cylinders, remember to shut off the valve when not in use
- Never leave iron boxes which are hot in areas which can be reached by children
- Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home, and particularly near rooms in which people sleep.
- If at all you smoke, never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended. Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trash can, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
- Devise a family fire escape plan and practice it every 6 months. In the plan, describe at least two different ways each family member can escape every room, and designate a safe place in front of the home for family members to meet after escaping a fire. Apartment communities should practice their fire escape plans frequently
Some facts to remember about TV viewing habits of children
Have you thought how much impact Television Viewing could have on shaping your child’s behavior?
The number of violent incidents a child who watches 2 hour of TV every day would be exposed to in an year : 10,000 - Source: National TV Violence Study, USA
The time a child who watch 2 ½ hours of TV a day would have spent in front of Television by the time he/she finish college: 18,000 Hours- compare this with- The time the same child would have spent in school/college classroom by the time he/she finishes college: 14,000 Hours
Average number of food related advertisements a child who watch 2 ½ hours of TV a day would be exposed to : 30 per hour, or 75 per day, or around 22,000 per year – Source: Studies in Australia by various organizations.
What should I do to have a healthy pregnancy?
In case you, a friend or relative are planning to have a child here are some tips to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy child.
- Plan your pregnancy
- See your health care provider before getting pregnant
- Get any medical condition (obesity, diabetes, seizures, etc.) under control before getting pregnant
- Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before and during pregnancy
- Take care of yourself
- Get plenty of rest
- Exercise moderately
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Avoid contact with chemicals and other things in the home and workplace that may harm an unborn baby
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs
- Talk with your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter drugs
If you are planning to get pregnant or you are already pregnant, one of the most important things you can do is see your health care provider. Prenatal (before birth) care can help find some problems early in pregnancy so that they can be monitored or treated before birth. Some problems might be avoided with prenatal care. Not all birth defects can be prevented, but a woman can take some actions that increase her chance of having a healthy baby. Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.
Disease Focus – Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease, a disease of cattle, sheep, and swine; however, the two diseases are not related—they are caused by different viruses. Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.
How does it spread?:
- Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.
- Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness.
- The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient's symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.
- HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.
Prevention:
- A specific preventive for HFMD is not available, but the risk of infection can be lowered by following good hygiene practices.
- Good hygiene practices that can lower the risk of infection include
- Washing hands frequently and correctly and especially after changing diapers and after using the toilet
- Cleaning dirty surfaces and soiled items, including toys, first with soap and water and then disinfecting them by cleansing with a solution of chlorine bleach (made by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to 4 cups of water)
- Avoiding close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing eating utensils or cups, etc.) with persons with HFMD
Treatment and Medical Management:
Please contact your Pediatrician for treatment information
Request Appointment 
When are antibiotics necessary?
Your doctor can best answer this complicated question and the answer depends on the diagnosis.
What are bacteria and viruses?
Bacteria are single-celled organisms usually found all over the inside and outside of our bodies, except in the blood and spinal fluid. Many bacteria are not harmful. In fact, some are actually beneficial. However, disease-causing bacteria trigger illnesses, such as strep throat and some ear infections. Viruses are even smaller than bacteria. A virus cannot survive outside the body's cells. It causes illnesses by invading healthy cells and reproducing.
Here are a few examples:
Ear infections :There are several types; many need antibiotics, but some do not.
Sinus infections :Most children with thick or green mucus do not have sinus infections. Antibiotics are needed for some long-lasting or severe cases.
Cough or bronchitis :Children rarely need antibiotics for bronchitis.
Sore throat :Viruses cause most cases. One major kind, "strep throat," requires antibiotics.
Colds :Colds are caused by viruses and may last for two weeks or longer. Antibiotics have no effect on colds, but your doctor may have suggestions for obtaining comfort while the illness runs its course.
Viral infections sometimes lead to bacterial infections. But treating viral infections with antibiotics will not prevent bacterial infections and may trigger infections with resistant bacteria. Keep your doctor informed if the illness gets worse, or lasts a long time, so that the proper treatment can be given as needed.
How do I know if my child has a viral or bacterial infection?
Ask your doctor. If you think that your child might need treatment, you should contact your doctor. But remember, colds are caused by viruses and need not be treated with antibiotics.
How do I know when an illness is caused by a viral or bacterial infection?
Sometimes it is very hard to tell. Consult with your doctor to be sure.
When do I need to take antibiotics?
Antibiotics are powerful medications. They should only be used when prescribed by a doctor to treat bacterial infections.
Should I ask my doctor to prescribe antibiotics?
Talk to your doctor about the best treatment. You should not expect to get a prescription for antibiotics. If you have a viral infection, antibiotics will not cure it, help you feel better, or prevent someone else from getting your virus.
What is antibiotic resistance and why should I be concerned?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics. These resistant bacteria survive and multiply - causing more harm, such as a longer illness, more doctor visits, and a need for more expensive and toxic antibiotics..
What can I do to protect my child from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
Use antibiotics only when your doctor has determined that they are likely to be effective. Children in many cases fight off colds on their own.
Does this mean that I should never give my child antibiotics?
No, antibiotics may be needed when your child has a bacterial infection. Your doctor is the best judge of this. Antibiotics are very powerful medicines and should only be used to treat bacterial infections. If an antibiotic is prescribed, make sure you take the entire course and never save the medication for later use.
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Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic
North Fort Gate , Next to Adampilly Kavu Temple , Tripunithura-682301
Phone: 0484-645 2772,Website: www.allforkidsindia.com ,
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