Parents often worry and ask:"Is my child growing as per his/her age?My child looks thin. Should I really be concerned?"Growth monitoring is an essential component to track the growth and development of a child. It also helps in early detection of growth faltering of a child.What is growth monitoring?Growth monitoring is done by measuring weight, length/height, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI) of a child. The data is collected at regular intervals and growth is calculated as per the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standard charts.What are WHO growth standard charts?WHO has developed separate charts to record weight, length/height, head circumference, in accordance with the child’s age. Also, the charts are separate for both girls (pink colored) and boys (blue colored). They are applicable for all children in the world from any region, race, religion, or community.Let us understand what weight for age growth charts say?What we can see?Age (of a child) is mentioned on the X-axis and weight (in kgs) is mentioned on the Y-axis.Several curves (green, orange, and red) are shown on the chart.How can I monitor if my baby is growing well?It is recommended to take your baby for growth measurements every month.Once you get your child’s anthropometric measurements (weight, height, head circumference), you or your pediatrician can plot the growth chart and understand the growth pattern of the child.If you see:An upward Growth curve: It shows adequate weight gain for the age of the child. Hence, the child is growing healthily.A flat Growth curve: It shows that the child has not gained weight and requires attention.A downward Growth curve: It shows that the child has lost weight and requires immediate attention.It is important that starting from the birth weight, each child follows his trajectory of growth. If the trajectory slows down or drops down, then the child requires attention. It is recommended to consult the pediatrician/health care provider before taking any decisions on growth faltering in a child.Source:-1. https://www.who.int/tools/child-growth-standards/standards2. https://www.unicef.org/uganda/key-practice-monitoring-growth-and-development-childDisclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/

Kids often catch colds multiple times per year, sometimes up to eight times and it is usual as kids build stronger immunity over time. Cold symptoms typically improve within 5-7 days. There are few ways to treat cold in children at home including:To prevent spreading of germs, keep washing their hands frequently.Give your child more fluids than usual, like water or juice, regularly since staying hydrated helps loosen the mucus.For pain relief, choose either paracetamol or ibuprofen, but don't use both at once because combining them at the same time may lead to an overdose or undesirable side effects. .Remember, antibiotics don't work for colds because they're caused by a virus, not bacteria. There's no need for a doctor visit to get an antibiotic.Using nasal saline drops may loosen mucus and encourage sneezing, helping clear the nose by sneezing the secretions out.Talk with your healthcare professional if needed.Source:-(n.d.). https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/motherhood/the-first-year/all-about-babys-first-cold

Filtered sunlight is a safe and effective treatment for jaundice in newborns. This method has been found to be as safe and efficient as traditional blue-light lamps used for treating infant jaundice. Research has shown that exposing newborns to filtered sunlight can help reduce bilirubin levels effectively.The exposure to filtered sunlight aids in breaking down excess bilirubin in the baby's body, thereby alleviating jaundice symptoms.Before starting filtered sunlight therapy, a doctor assesses the baby's bilirubin levels to determine the severity of jaundice.Then the baby is undressed to expose as much skin as possible for optimal light absorption under a UV canopy, preventing overheating.The baby is placed under the filtered sunlight for a specific duration, typically in the morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is less intense. Adequate hydration is required to support bilirubin elimination.It is essential to ensure that the exposure is controlled and monitored to prevent any potential harm from excessive sunlight exposure.Source1:-Slusher, T. M., Vreman, H. J., Olusanya, B. O., Wong, R. J., Brearley, A. M., Vaucher, Y. E., & Stevenson, D. K. (2014). Safety and efficacy of filtered sunlight in treatment of jaundice in African neonates.Pediatrics,133(6), e1568–e1574. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-3500Source2:-Filtered sunlight a safe, low-tech treatment for newborn jaundice. (2015, March 5). Filtered sunlight a safe, low-tech treatment for newborn jaundice. http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/09/filtered-sunlight-a-safe-low-tech-treatment-for-jaundice.html

Jaundice in newborns can be related to blood group incompatibilities between the mother and the baby. The most common causes of jaundice due to blood group incompatibilities include ABO and Rh incompatibilities.For example, if a mother is O positive and her baby is A positive, the mother's antibodies can penetrate the baby's bloodstream, leading to jaundice. This is because the mother's immune system produces antibodies against the baby's blood type, which can cause the baby's red blood cells to be destroyed, releasing bilirubin into the bloodstreamMinor blood group incompatibilities, such as anti-E incompatibility (where a mother's immune system produces antibodies against the E antigen on the surface of red blood cells in her baby), can result in the destruction of the baby's red blood cells, releasing bilirubin into the bloodstream. Severe cases of anti-E incompatibility may lead to hemolytic disease in the fetus and newborn, causing conditions such as hyperbilirubinemia, which may require exchange transfusion for treatment.Source1:-Newborn Jaundice | Duke Health. (n.d.). Newborn Jaundice | Duke Health. Retrieved March 5, 2024, from https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/newborn-jaundiceSource2:-Özcan, M., Sevinç, S., Erkan, V. B., Yurdugül, Y., & Sarıcı, S. Ü. (2017). Hyperbilirubinemia due to minor blood group (anti-E) incompatibility in a newborn: a case report. Turk pediatri arsivi, 52(3), 162–164. https://doi.org/10.5152/TurkPediatriArs.2017.2658

Treatment for jaundice in newborns depends on the severity of the condition. Mild jaundice often resolves on its own within two to three weeks. For moderate or severe jaundice, treatment options may include:Enhanced nutrition: To prevent weight loss, your doctor may recommend more-frequent feeding or supplementation to ensure your baby receives adequate nutrition.Light therapy (phototherapy): Your baby may be placed under a special lamp that emits light in the blue-green spectrum, which changes the shape and structure of bilirubin molecules in such a way that they can be excreted in both the urine and stool.Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg): This treatment is used for jaundice related to blood type differences between mother and baby, as it reduces levels of antibodies that contribute to the rapid breakdown of the baby's red blood cells.Exchange transfusion: Rarely, when severe jaundice doesn't respond to other treatments, a baby may need an exchange transfusion of blood, which involves repeatedly withdrawing small amounts of blood and replacing it with donor blood to dilute bilirubin and maternal antibodies.It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of jaundice in newborns.Source:-Newborn jaundice - Treatment. (n.d.). Newborn jaundice - Treatment. Retrieved March 4, 2024, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice-newborn/treatment/

Different home remedies work together to support liver function, reduce bilirubin levels, and alleviate symptoms of jaundice in newborn babies. Here are few of them:Feeding Frequently: Regular feeding helps reduce bilirubin levels by promoting bowel movements, which aids in eliminating excess bilirubin from the body.Sunlight Exposure: Sunlight helps convert bilirubin into a form that can be easily excreted by the body, reducing jaundice levels in newborns.Sugarcane Juice: Sugarcane juice provides hydration and essential nutrients that support liver function and help manage symptoms of jaundice.Garlic: Garlic has detoxifying properties that aid in reducing the effects of jaundice by supporting liver function and promoting detoxification.Neem Leaves: Neem leaves contain compounds that support liver health and help cleanse toxins from the body, contributing to the treatment of jaundice.Radish Leaves: Rich in antioxidants, radish leaves help cleanse the liver of toxins and improve its function, thereby alleviating symptoms of jaundice.Amla, Basil Leaves, and Ginger: This mixture provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that support liver health and aid in reducing inflammation associated with jaundice.Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that help cleanse the liver and improve its function, contributing to the treatment of jaundice in newborns.Need more clarity aboutJ aundice ? Our trusted health assistant is here to help you on Ask Medwiki.Source:-Jaundice in adults. (2024, March 4). Jaundice in adults. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/jaundice

Are you a new parent wondering how much formula to feed your newborn baby?Don't worry, we've got you covered! Newborn babies have small bellies, so they don't need much formula per feeding to feel full. A good place to start is with 1-2 ounces of formula every 2-3 hours. But remember, every baby is different and adjustments may need to be made based on their hunger cues.As your baby grows, they'll need to be fed less often. Most formula-fed babies can be fed every 3 to 4 hours. But don't be surprised if you need to wake your little one up for their feedings! During feeding, your baby will eat until they're full, so some sessions may be longer than others.Once your baby reaches 6 to 12 months old, you can start introducing solid foods. Look for signs of hunger and feed them 5 to 6 times per day with either infant formula or solid foods. As they eat more solid foods, they'll need less formula gradually.At 12 months old, you can start transitioning your baby from infant formula to whole cow's milk or fortified unsweetened soy beverage gradually. Start by replacing one formula feeding with cow's milk to help your child transition.Remember, every baby is different and may have unique nutritional needs, so don't hesitate to ask your doctor for advice on appropriate formula amounts for your little one.Suggested Read:Is giving Janam Ghutti safe for your baby?

Food allergies in babies are when the body reacts to certain foods as if they're harmful, causing various symptoms.Some of the common signs of food allergies in babies are Babies with food allergies often have skin issues like hives, rashes, eczema, or swelling around the face, lips, or eyes.They might also have digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or reflux. This happens when the food allergen upsets their stomach or intestines.Respiratory problems can occur too, like coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, or a runny nose. These happen when the food allergen affects their breathing.A severe reaction called anaphylaxis can also happen. It's very serious and can affect many parts of the body, leading to symptoms like low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, fainting, or seizures. This needs immediate medical help and a medicine called epinephrine.Usually, these allergy symptoms show up quickly after eating the food, but sometimes they can be delayed or last a long time, making it hard to know they're caused by the food.The foods that often cause allergies in babies include cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish, but any food can cause an allergy.If you think your baby has a food allergy, you should see a doctor or an allergist. They can do tests like skin prick tests or blood tests to find out if your baby is allergic and to which food.They'll also tell you how to avoid the food, treat the symptoms, and prevent more reactions.Source:-Baby Allergic Reaction to Food: Signs and Symptoms (healthline.com)Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/