Child Specialist

Rickets is characterized by deficiency of Vitamin D. In the recent years, it has become more common. This is secondary to a number of reasons. One important reason is the diet of children has changed over a period of time. Mothers themselves are deficient in vitamin D.   Such newborns are vitamin D deficient as their mothers are also vitamin D deficient. When they breast feed their child, the newborn does not get enough vitamin D. Over a period of time as the child gets older they don’t take enough milk and the diet is deficient in milk and dairy products. The concentration is more on junk food. Another very important factor is the residential style of living. People tend to stay in small congested flats where there is little sunlight. Sunlight is necessary for activation of Vitamin D. The recent changes in life style has led to children either watching television or playing games on the computer. Children do not spend time playing outside and hence there is less exposure to sunl...

Club Foot is a condition characterized by inward turning of the foot at birth. The incidence is 1 in 1000, one of the most common congenital abnormalities. The tendons connecting the muscles of the leg to the foot are shortened. This is not a painful condition. According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla – a child specialist in Karachi , in half the cases of club foot, both feet may be involved. Boys are more likely to be affected than girls. In the affected leg, the leg is slightly shorter than the other one. If left untreated, the child will walk on the outer side instead of walking on the sole, develop calluses and unable to wear shoes. Treatment should be started immediately after birth and non surgical. It is known as Ponsetti method. The foot is gently manipulated in the corrected position and casting done.   Each week repositioning is done and casting is done. And this goes on weekly for 6-8 weeks. In 90% of the cases, Achilles Tenotomy needs to be done. A small cut is mad...