Child Specialist

The onset of summer brings with it several skin infections. Because of high humidity, heat and sweating the child is liable to develop infections of the skin specially caused by staphylococcus Aureus. These are known as impetigo. They are rounded coin shaped lesions occurring anywhere in the body, with redness and itching or sometimes with a pussy discharge. As the child scratches from one part to another, these lesions spread. In addition, small boils develop anywhere in the body. These boils may develop pus and the infection can get deep, developing an abcess. The abcess initially is a red, hot and tender area. Later pus develops and it becomes yellowish and painful. The pus may also discharge.   According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi , these skin infections can be prevented by the use of an anti bacterial soap and keeping the body clean by frequent baths. The nails of the child should be trimmed so that there is less scratching. Anti alle...

Children are very prone to develop heat stroke during this hot weather. This occurs when the outside temperature is very high and the internal body temperature rises above 104 F. There may be confusion, irritability, altered state of consciousness. Sometimes fits may occur and the child becomes unconscious. The skin is flushed and red, as well as hot and dry to touch. There is severe headache. The respiratory rate and heart rate becomes rapid. In addition ,there maybe nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, there are chances of brain damage and there maybe internal organ failure including kidneys. According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla a child specialist in Karachi ,   treatment   must be given immediately. Try to cool the child. Put the child in a tub of water or give him a bath. The important thing is to bring the body temperature down. Keep the child under a fan. Immersing the child in water is the most important method of cooling the body. Intravenous fluids ar...

Infection of the ear is common among children known as Otitis Media. This is basically infection of the middle ear. In newborns the Eustachian tube (connecting the throat with the middle ear) is very small. Therefore, while the newborn is taking milk, some of the milk enters through the middle ear cavity. It gets collected there and infection sets in. It is a very painful condition. It is known as Otitis Media.   It also occurs in slightly older children. The child is generally crying and unable to express himself. The child keeps on touching the ear, and if an older child says that the ear is hurting. There is fever, as well as heaviness in the ear. The hearing is affected for some time. If the condition worsens, pus gets collected behind the ear drum (tympanic membrane). As more pus gets collected, it bursts through the ear drum and there will be pussy discharge.   According to Dr Mubina Agboatwalla a child specialist in Karachi , if the condition is not treate...

Malaria is caused by malarial parasite Plasmodium. There are four varieties of Plasmodium. Out of which Plasmodium Vivax is most common and Plasmodium Falciparum, is the one with most complications. The Plasmodium species are found in blood of mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites the child, plasmodium enters into the blood stream of the child. They enter the red blood cells where they multiply. The onset is with fever generally high grade accompanied by shivering. It is common in endemic areas like Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. The onset is generally sudden but can be chronic. There is associated headache, vomiting and muscle pain. Seating is common. The malarial parasite resides in the spleen. In cases of chronic malaria, the spleen is enlarged. The plasmodia break up the red blood cells and the child is anaemic. Complications include cerebral malaria whereby the brain is affected, there is brain edema and the patient is unconscious. There may be liver failure w...

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla- a child specialist in Karachi Cough is a condition very common in children. Parents often complain of their children having different types of cough. Cough is reflex action with the body trying to get rid of the secretions in the bronchi or irritation due to allergies. Cough can be of different types. It can be productive with sputum, which can be white or yellow in colour or sometimes even green. This is secondary to infection. The lungs produce mucus which the body tries to get rid of by coughing. Sometimes, there is throat infection and irritation of the throat. The child tries to get rid of the secretions and clears the throat in the form of a cough. Flu or nasal irritation can cause a post nasal drip and again the child coughs. Allergies cause a dry cough. They cause the bronchioles to get constricted, and this irritating cough occurs all the time but specially at night. The bronchspasm in frank asthma can cause continuous bouts of coughing. ...

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...