Dr. B.K. Bhasker

Why Vaccination is Important for Infants?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Inattention and hyperactivity are key symptoms of ADHD. Symptoms can include having problems sustaining attention in tasks, not listening when spoken to directly, not following through on instructions, failing to finish schoolwork or chores, starting tasks but quickly losing focus, getting easily sidetracked, talking nonstop, blurting out an answer before a question has been completed, finishing other people’s sentences, or speaking without waiting for a turn in conversation. Raising a child with ADHD isn’t like traditional childrearing. Normal rule-making and household routines can become almost impossible, so you’ll need to adopt different approaches. It can be frustrating and disheartening to cope with constant impulsive behaviour from your child. Here are a few tips to help you:

1. Create structure:

Make a routine for your child and stick to it every day. Establish rituals around meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime. Simple daily tasks, such as having your child lay out his or her clothes for the next day can provide structure. 

2. Break tasks into smaller chunks:

Breakdown any task into smaller manageable tasks. Have a task list up on a wall and write down any and all tasks the child needs to finish. This way they know what needs to be done and when they need to get it done by.

3. Create a quiet corner:

Create a small quiet space for your child where they can do their homework, reading and have some time to themselves. Make this place a quiet distraction free area for them. Keep this place neat and organized at all times.

4. Promote wait-time:

Children with ADHD often speak out without thinking of what they are saying. It is important to encourage thoughtful responses while doing any work or reading a book. It is important to teach your child how to think before speaking.

5. Declutter the space:

Children with ADHD welcome distractions such as television, video games and computer games. These encourage impulsive behaviour and thus should be regulated. Decreasing time with electronics and increasing time doing engaging activities outside the home, will give your child an outlet for any built-up energy.

Iron deficiency is a common condition in children. It occurs when there is a scarcity of iron in the child's system due to malnutrition. Iron is an extremely important mineral that is required for growth and development in young ones. It is an essential nutrient for formation of Hemoglobin, which transports Oxygen and Carbon dioxide through the bloodstream and it is also essential for the functioning of the muscles. If the child's diet lacks iron then the condition might worsen and turn into anemia.

Children need different levels of iron intake at different ages for proper development of all mental and physical faculties. As the child gets older and reaches the age of puberty, the requirement of iron and other minerals also increases. Deficiency of it causes anemia specific to iron. 

Deficiencies can lead to various nutritional disorders that may cause severe complications.

The primary cause of iron deficiency in children is an improper diet which leads to a lack of nourishment. There are a number of other causes of the problem, some of which are as follows:

1. Low birth weight
2. Excessive intake of cow's milk at less than 2 years of age
3. Feeding exclusively on breastmilk beyond 6 months of age
4. Lead poisoning
5. Gastrointestinal disease or infection
6. Improper diet of the mother during pregnancy
7. Chronic diarrhea
8. Infestation of parasites in the digestive system.

If the problem arises due to dietary deficiency, it can be easily solved by making simple modifications to the child's diet plan. If the condition stems from other factors or diseases, the child must be taken to a doctor immediately for a medical diagnosis and remedial treatment. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Pediatrician.

An infant is usually called a bundle of joy and with good reason. There are simple and carefree, and bring a smile to your face with their antics. However, the mood and health of an infant can be tarnished due to an issue which is known as galactosemia.

What is Galactosemia?
When a baby has galactosemia, he or she will have a problem when it comes to digesting galactose, which is something that is present not only in milk but in all milk products. Galactose is a sort of sugar, just like fructose and glucose is. As a matter of fact, lactose, which is what milk has, is, in fact, a combination of glucose and galactose. Also, when lactose is processed, it is broken down by the human body into its constituents.

The condition is something that is passed down through the genes of the parents of the baby. The condition would occur if the gene which causes a tendency for a baby to have galactosemia is present not only in one parent but both of them. A baby who has the condition will be lacking an enzyme which is known as the GALT enzyme. The enzyme could also not be functioning as it should be under normal circumstances.

When it comes to the problem, it is very important, to say the least, to detect it sooner rather than later as if there is a build-up of unprocessed galactose which is allowed to occur, it can affect the baby adversely and in some cases, it can also be threatening to the life of the baby!

How does it affect a baby?
The problems which can erupt due to galactosemia include issues which affect organs such as the brain, eyes, liver and kidneys. It is interesting to take note of the fact that these are all organs which either have something to do either processing the blood or are heavily dependent on it. While a baby is not in the position in which he or she can communicate the issues that are being faced, when keeping an eye out for galactosemia, the signs which are displayed include an irritability of the baby as well as lacking consumption of the milk of the mother.

Even though galactosemia may not be the case, a doctor should be consulted as the exacerbated issue can include seizures and jaundice. It is to be kept in mind that galactose is something that can be found not only in the milk of the cow but also human milk as well as the milk of other animals such as goats. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Pediatrician.

Behavioural Disorders in Children