Baby Health Matters

Patient Information Blogs Vaccination Schedule For Your Child (Courtesy of: Dr. Joza Khurshid; Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Medicsi) 26/05/2024 Vaccination Schedule For Your Child (Courtesy of: Dr. Joza Khurshid; Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Medicsi) 26/05/2024 Vaccination is THE WAY to protect your child’s health from harmful diseases that could cause serious complications. Vaccines are safe and effective. Having your children vaccinated on time is important and helps ensure that they get the protection they need as early as possible. Vaccines strengthen the immune system and prepare your child’s body with the defense it needs to fight against diseases, that your child comes across in everyday life. Recommended Vaccination Schedule  Age Vaccines Birth  BCG + OPV + HBV 1 ½ Months IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib + Rotarix 1 2 Months  PCV 13 2 ½ Months  IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib + Rotarix 2 3 ½ Months  IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib 4 Months  PCV 13 6 Months  PCV 13 9 Months  Measles 12 Months  MMR + Varicella 15 Months  PCV 13 18 Months Hepatitis A + IPV + HBV + DTap +Hib 24 Months Hepatitis A + Typhoid 1  5 Years DTap + Typhoid + MMR + Varicella  12 Years  DT Others Meningococcal  Flu    Vaccinations as indicated above are used for: BCG is for Tuberculosis OPV and IPV is for Polio HBV is for Hepatitis B DTap is for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough) Hib is for Haemophilus influenzae type B Rotarix is for Rotavirus Infection PCV is for Pneumococcal Infections MMR is for Measles, Mumps and Rubella   Checklist for your child’s immunization visit: Bring your child’s immunization record to keep it up to date. Bring your child’s favourite toy to comfort them through the procedure. Book your child’s next appointment to ensure it happens on time. Dealing with missed vaccination: if your baby has missed routine vaccination, please talk to your doctor.   Can vaccination have side effects?  Most children tolerate vaccines well. In some cases, your child may: Have a mild fever Be sleepier than usual Have pain, swelling, or redness where the injection was given Maybe fussy than usual   These reactions are normal and usually go away within a few days. You can give your child medication to help with the pain or to lower a fever if needed. Check with our paediatricians if you need advice about which medication to use. Vaccination is THE WAY to protect your child’s health from harmful diseases that could cause serious complications. Vaccines are safe and effective. Having your children vaccinated on time is important and helps ensure that they get the protection they need as early as possible. Vaccines strengthen the immune system and prepare your child’s body with the defense it needs to fight against diseases, that your child comes across in everyday life. Recommended Vaccination Schedule  Age Vaccines Birth  BCG + OPV + HBV 1 ½ Months IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib + Rotarix 1 2 Months  PCV 13 2 ½ Months  IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib + Rotarix 2 3 ½ Months  IPV + HBV + DTap + Hib 4 Months  PCV 13 6 Months  PCV 13 9 Months  Measles 12 Months  MMR + Varicella 15 Months  PCV 13 18 Months Hepatitis A + IPV + HBV + DTap +Hib 24 Months Hepatitis A + Typhoid 1  5 Years DTap + Typhoid + MMR + Varicella  12 Years  DT Others Meningococcal  Flu  Vaccinations as indicated above are used for: BCG is for Tuberculosis OPV and IPV is for Polio HBV is for Hepatitis B DTap is for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (whooping cough) Hib is for Haemophilus influenzae type B Rotarix is for Rotavirus Infection PCV is for Pneumococcal Infections MMR is for Measles, Mumps and Rubella Checklist for your child’s immunization visit: Bring your child’s immunization record to keep it up to date. Bring your child’s favourite toy to comfort them through the procedure. Book your child’s next appointment to ensure it happens on time. Dealing with missed vaccination: if your baby has missed routine vaccination, please talk to your doctor. Can vaccination have side effects?  Most children tolerate vaccines well. In some cases, your child may: Have a mild fever Be sleepier than usual Have pain, swelling, or redness where the injection was given Maybe fussy than usual These reactions are normal and usually go away within a few days. You can give your child medication to help with the pain or to lower a fever if needed. Check with our paediatricians if you need advice about which medication to use. Recent Blogs edit post PREMATURE MENOPAUSE: IT IS BEING DIAGNOSED TOO LATE Read More edit post Minimally Invasive Surgery At Medicsi Read More edit post Ensuring Your Comfort and Safety Read More

Patient Information Blogs Immediate Neonatal Care (Courtesy of: Dr. Joza Khurshid; Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Medicsi) 26/05/2024 Immediate Neonatal Care Courtesy of: Dr. Joza Khurshid; Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Medicsi 26/05/2024 The birth of a baby is one of life’s most wondrous moments and none other experiences in life can be compared to this. At Medicsi, we strive to take care of your baby and support the mother and family in the best possible way.   At the time of the baby birth, one of the nursery staff is there to receive the baby. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut near the navel. We perform delaying cord clamping after 60 seconds which has several benefits for your baby.  If your baby is doing well, it will be placed skin-to-skin on the mother’s tummy or chest. Placing baby skin-to-skin with you will help baby adjust to being outside of the uterus, promote bonding between mother and baby, and help regulate baby’s temperature. Under the circumstances; that the baby needs help with breathing he or she will be taken immediately to the Nursery for active resuscitation. Our nurses will support and guide the mother with breastfeeding as soon as possible after the delivery of your baby. The early initiation of breastfeeding helps with the bonding between you and your baby. The baby will be brought to you for the first feed after your delivery process is complete which usually takes about 20 min after the birth of the baby. After the initial mother feed, your baby will be kept in observation for a couple of hours in the nursery where a head-to-toe assessment is performed by a paediatrician to ensure the baby is well. If no health concerns are found the baby is shifted to the room with the mother. In case of any unexpected observations that warrants close monitoring, the baby will be kept in the nursery till needed. Baby is given the following vaccinations in the nursery soon after birth; Hepatitis B vaccination and  Vitamin K injection.  In the meantime, the father or the next of kin are provided with the necessary information regarding the baby and any management that is being done with the baby.  Once the mother has been shifted to the room from the labour ward area the baby will accompany her to the room. Once in the room, relevant guidance is given on breastfeeding, burping, bathing the baby, and temperature control.  If the baby is in hospital, the baby is bathed 24 hours after delivery.  Before discharge, the consultant visits the baby in the room, during the morning rounds, and a repeat head-to-toe health assessment of the baby is done.  At discharge, the parents are provided with information regarding various topics related to the baby's health using a set checklist to ensure all information is given to the parents and their questions addressed. This includes information on: Vaccination Breastfeeding Nappy change Cord care Jaundice  Formula milk, if the mother asks Bathing the baby Temperature control for baby Vision and hearing Cardiac health Circumcision, if applicable Any other questions or concerns that the mother or caregivers may have.  A follow-up visit with the paediatrician is scheduled at the time of discharge. The birth of a baby is one of life's most wondrous moments and none other experiences in life can be compared to this. At Medicsi, we strive to take care of your baby and support the mother and family in the best possible way.   At the time of the baby birth, one of the nursery staff is there to receive the baby. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut near the navel. We perform delaying cord clamping after 60 seconds which has several benefits for your baby.  If your baby is doing well, it will be placed skin-to-skin on the mother’s tummy or chest. Placing baby skin-to-skin with you will help baby adjust to being outside of the uterus, promote bonding between mother and baby, and help regulate baby's temperature. Under the circumstances; that the baby needs help with breathing he or she will be taken immediately to the Nursery for active resuscitation. Our nurses will support and guide the mother with breastfeeding as soon as possible after the delivery of your baby. The early initiation of breastfeeding helps with the bonding between you and your baby. The baby will be brought to you for the first feed after your delivery process is complete which usually takes about 20 min after the birth of the baby. After the initial mother feed, your baby will be kept in observation for a couple of hours in the nursery where a head-to-toe assessment is performed by a paediatrician to ensure the baby is well. If no health concerns are found the baby is shifted to the room with the mother. In case of any unexpected observations that warrants close monitoring, the baby will be kept in the nursery till needed. Baby is given the following vaccinations in the nursery soon after birth; Hepatitis B vaccination and  Vitamin K injection.  In the meantime, the father or the next of kin are provided with the necessary information regarding the baby and any management that is being done with the baby.  Once the mother has been shifted to the room from the labour ward area the baby will accompany her to the room. Once in the room, relevant guidance is given on breastfeeding, burping, bathing the baby, and temperature control.  If the baby is in hospital, the baby is bathed 24 hours after delivery.  Before discharge, the consultant visits the baby in the room, during the morning rounds, and a repeat head-to-toe health assessment of the baby is done.  At discharge, the parents are provided with information regarding various topics related to the baby's health using a set checklist to ensure all information is given to the parents and their questions addressed. This includes information on: Vaccination Breastfeeding Nappy change Cord care Jaundice  Formula milk, if the mother asks Bathing the baby Temperature

Patient Information Blogs Our Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit … 04/05/2024 Our Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit … 04/05/2024 Our Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit Locations: Jinnah Super Medicsi: 3rd Floor Medicsi Bahria: 3rd Floor  If your baby is more than 1 month old and requires further assessment or hospital admission, he/she will be treated in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). PICU is an in-patient unit that can manage a range of illnesses; varying from simple conditions e.g. diarrhoea to more complicated diagnoses e.g. respiratory compromise requiring ventilation. PICU is equipped with all essential machinery and apparatus to deal with patients in various medical situations. Our PICU is overseen by the Paediatric team in collaboration with other specialities, for example, Anaesthesia, Pulmonology, Cardiology, and Surgery, and is staffed 24/7 with nurses and doctors on-call under the supervision of the on-call Consultants.  Our Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit Locations: Jinnah Super Medicsi: 3rd Floor Medicsi Bahria: 3rd Floor  If your baby is more than 1 month old and requires further assessment or hospital admission, he/she will be treated in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). PICU is an in-patient unit that can manage a range of illnesses; varying from simple conditions e.g. diarrhoea to more complicated diagnoses e.g. respiratory compromise requiring ventilation. PICU is equipped with all essential machinery and apparatus to deal with patients in various medical situations. Our PICU is overseen by the Paediatric team in collaboration with other specialities, for example, Anaesthesia, Pulmonology, Cardiology, and Surgery, and is staffed 24/7 with nurses and doctors on-call under the supervision of the on-call Consultants.  On Admission to PICU: The nurses in the PICU will take the vitals of the child and enquire about their brief history of the illness from parents or whoever accompanies the child. Most of the treatment will be managed by the on-call duty doctors; however, the consultant can be contacted if needed by the on-call team.  If admitted, every child will be seen by a Consultant either in ward rounds (morning and evening) or earlier if clinically indicated.  If any blood tests are taken for investigation and you are sent home, they will be reviewed by the medical team. You will be contacted in case of abnormal results or if any further management is required. If for any reason this is not communicated, you can collect your test results on the phone or in person. On Discharge: Upon discharge, you will be given discharge paperwork which will outline the course of the child’s hospital stay, any treatment done, and advice for home. These are important documents and should always be kept safe at home and brought back to the hospital in case of further assessment/admissions. You may also be given an appointment for the consultant’s clinic if required. This is to review the condition of the child and see if any changes need to be made. Our Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit Locations: Jinnah Super Medicsi: 3rd Floor Medicsi Bahria: 3rd Floor  If your baby is more than 1 month old and requires further assessment or hospital admission, he/she will be treated in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). PICU is an in-patient unit that can manage a range of illnesses; varying from simple conditions e.g. diarrhoea to more complicated diagnoses e.g. respiratory compromise requiring ventilation. PICU is equipped with all essential machinery and apparatus to deal with patients in various medical situations. Our PICU is overseen by the Paediatric team in collaboration with other specialities, for example, Anaesthesia, Pulmonology, Cardiology, and Surgery, and is staffed 24/7 with nurses and doctors on-call under the supervision of the on-call Consultants.  On Admission to PICU: The nurses in the PICU will take the vitals of the child and enquire about their brief history of the illness from parents or whoever accompanies the child. Most of the treatment will be managed by the on-call duty doctors; however, the consultant can be contacted if needed by the on-call team.  If admitted, every child will be seen by a Consultant either in ward rounds (morning and evening) or earlier if clinically indicated.  If any blood tests are taken for investigation and you are sent home, they will be reviewed by the medical team. You will be contacted in case of abnormal results or if any further management is required. If for any reason this is not communicated, you can collect your test results on the phone or in person. On Discharge: Upon discharge, you will be given discharge paperwork which will outline the course of the child’s hospital stay, any treatment done, and advice for home. These are important documents and should always be kept safe at home and brought back to the hospital in case of further assessment/admissions. You may also be given an appointment for the consultant’s clinic if required. This is to review the condition of the child and see if any changes need to be made. Recent Blogs edit post Managing Your Pain Read More edit post PREMATURE MENOPAUSE: IT IS BEING DIAGNOSED TOO LATE Read More edit post Minimally Invasive Surgery At Medicsi Read More

Patient Information Blogs In An Emergency … 01/05/2024 In An Emergency … 01/05/2024 In the case of bringing your child in an emergency to Medicsi, please do not call Medicsi Main Reception, Emergency Department (ED), or your consultant (if you have one assigned at Medicsi). On average, at least 30 minutes are wasted before a child is brought to the ED due to unnecessary phone calls.    It is important that you bring your child’s history book given to you at birth at Medicsi or where your child was born.   If the condition of the baby is such that you can wait, it is always better to have someone to accompany you when you bring your child to the hospital. Having your husband with you or another family member besides yourself gives you breathing space in case the child has to be kept in the ED or admitted to a hospital for some time. We all understand how difficult it is to bring your child to the hospital when they are sick. It can be a very stressful situation and we at Medicsi, with your help, will endeavour to make the journey as smooth as possible. In the case of bringing your child in an emergency to Medicsi, please do not call Medicsi Main Reception, Emergency Department (ED), or your consultant (if you have one assigned at Medicsi). On average, at least 30 minutes are wasted before a child is brought to the ED due to unnecessary phone calls.    It is important that you bring your child’s history book given to you at birth at Medicsi or where your child was born.   If the condition of the baby is such that you can wait, it is always better to have someone to accompany you when you bring your child to the hospital. Having your husband with you or another family member besides yourself gives you breathing space in case the child has to be kept in the ED or admitted to a hospital for some time. We all understand how difficult it is to bring your child to the hospital when they are sick. It can be a very stressful situation and we at Medicsi, with your help, will endeavour to make the journey as smooth as possible. Locations of Medicsi Emergency Departments: Bahria Hospital: Ground Floor Jinnah Super Medicsi: 3rd Floor On arrival at ED: When you bring your child to the ED, the nurse will take the vitals of the patient and enquire about a brief history of the child’s illness. Most of the treatment will be managed by the on-call duty doctors; however, the consultant can be contacted if needed by the on-call team. If any blood tests are taken for investigations and you are sent home, they will be reviewed by the medical team. You will be contacted in case of abnormal results or if any further management is required. If for any reason this is not communicated, you can collect your test results on the phone or in person. In the case of bringing your child in an emergency to Medicsi, please do not call Medicsi Main Reception, Emergency Department (ED), or your consultant (if you have one assigned at Medicsi). On average, at least 30 minutes are wasted before a child is brought to the ED due to unnecessary phone calls.  It is important that you bring your child’s history book given to you at birth at Medicsi or where your child was born. If the condition of the baby is such that you can wait, it is always better to have someone to accompany you when you bring your child to the hospital. Having your husband with you or another family member besides yourself gives you breathing space in case the child has to be kept in the ED or admitted to a hospital for some time. We all understand how difficult it is to bring your child to the hospital when they are sick. It can be a very stressful situation and we at Medicsi, with your help, will endeavour to make the journey as smooth as possible. Locations of Medicsi Emergency Departments: Bahria Hospital: Ground Floor Jinnah Super Medicsi: 3rd Floor On arrival at ED: When you bring your child to the ED, the nurse will take the vitals of the patient and enquire about a brief history of the child's illness. Most of the treatment will be managed by the on-call duty doctors; however, the consultant can be contacted if needed by the on-call team. If any blood tests are taken for investigations and you are sent home, they will be reviewed by the medical team. You will be contacted in case of abnormal results or if any further management is required. If for any reason this is not communicated, you can collect your test results on the phone or in person. Recent Blogs edit post Managing Your Pain Read More edit post PREMATURE MENOPAUSE: IT IS BEING DIAGNOSED TOO LATE Read More edit post Minimally Invasive Surgery At Medicsi Read More

Patient Information Blogs Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit … 01/05/2024 Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit … 01/05/2024 A fully geared and functional neonatal unit is essential to the working of a busy and high-risk obstetrics unit. Medicsi is one of the very few setups in Pakistan where antenatal care, labour and delivery, and post-natal care are managed proactively. Our community has a huge shortage of setups where standardised neonatal care is provided and hence the need for a well-equipped and functional Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU). In November 2006, Medicsi Islamabad took on this responsibility to care for little lives and we have been successfully managing this department since then.    Medicsi NICU has a fully functional tertiary neonatal intensive care unit with a capacity of around 40 incubators and 10 ventilators in Bahria and Saudi Pak Towers combined.  A fully geared and functional neonatal unit is essential to the working of a busy and high-risk obstetrics unit. Medicsi is one of the very few setups in Pakistan where antenatal care, labour and delivery, and post-natal care are managed proactively. Our community has a huge shortage of setups where standardised neonatal care is provided and hence the need for a well-equipped and functional Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU). In November 2006, Medicsi Islamabad took on this responsibility to care for little lives and we have been successfully managing this department since then.    Medicsi NICU has a fully functional tertiary neonatal intensive care unit with a capacity of around 40 incubators and 10 ventilators in Bahria and Saudi Pak Towers combined.    We manage a variety of presentations and complications, including, but not limited to, difficult deliveries, low birth weight babies, premature babies, and maternal comorbidities, such as Gestational Diabetes (GDM) or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). We are proud to have our NICU management being practised alongside the Artificial Reproductive Technique unit (IVF or test tube) which has been established since 1998 and is successfully bringing joy to hundreds of families who have previously had trouble conceiving. Without the support of the NICU, ART care would not be possible.   The babies that are delivered at Medicsi are received by the Neonatal team consisting of duty doctors, nursing staff, nurse assistants, and also consultants if clinically indicated.   NICU works with Incubators, Ventilators, Resuscitation equipment, suction apparatuses, imaging and phototherapy equipment. The team of staff consists of senior nurses, technicians, nurse aids, on-floor radiologists, and a team of 4 to 5 drs on-suite besides junior and senior consultants. The reception staff helps with the procurement and documentation of the unit work.   We have fully functional equipment to look after the babies admitted to the Newborn Intensive care unit. We believe in providing gentle respiratory care to our babies. We have acquired a Humidified Heated high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) and we feel proud to be the pioneers in twin cities. We have bubble CPAP machines for babies needing non-invasive ventilation. For babies who are critically unwell, we provide Ventilatory support and adhere to evidence-based clinical practice. Our team is fully trained in looking after extremely premature babies (less than 30 weeks) involving intubation & ventilation, surfactant instillation, Umbilical and PICC line placement, and arranging Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for these premature babies in their early days till their feeds are established. We practise delayed cord clamping and have helped many babies in achieving a successful transition to ex-utero life after birth.   Medicsi believes in family-integrated care and involves parents in every step of their baby’s care. We conduct routine counselling sessions with parents to address their concerns. We believe in a multidisciplinary (MDT) approach to care for babies born with us or admitted to our unit from other hospitals. We work in close coordination with the Obs /Gynae team in order to plan the best possible treatment we can provide to babies born with problems diagnosed before and after birth. Our team promotes breastfeeding & supports mothers in establishing adequate breast feed.   Examples of care provided in NICU:   Premature Babies:   Premature babies are born before 37 weeks gestation and can face a number of medical issues after they are born. The more premature the babies are, the more prone to complications they become. Some of the challenges they face after birth include temperature regulation, breathing problems, feeding difficulties, infections, and bleeding tendencies.   These babies need to be nurtured in an environment where they can have body-friendly temperatures and humidity, respiratory support mechanisms, feeding by trained staff, adequate and controlled hydration, and can avoid catching infections as far as possible. Nature gives us all these abilities when we are born at the right time. When we come into this world before we should we need all the support we can get – and THAT’S the TASK Medicsi took over.   Breathing Problems:   Whether babies are born early or on time, they can sometimes have some breathing difficulties. The majority of these will resolve on their own with minimal support required.Sometimes, a baby can need a bit of extra help and that’s where we come in. Some of these examples include fluid in the lungs, lung collapse, pneumothorax, or infection.In such cases, we can support your baby in NICU with oxygen or pressure, or in more serious cases, with intubation and mechanical ventilation. This support will then be weaned off as the baby requires and will be monitored continuously until fully weaned off.   Feeding Support:   While your baby is admitted to NICU, they may not be ready for fully enteral feeds, either due to prematurity or requiring extra breathing support. In these cases, babies will be managed closely with families and may require feeding through a Naso-Gastric tube (NGT) which is passed through the nose and straight into the stomach. In such instances, we encourage new mothers to express breast milk as early as possible as this has many benefits for your baby.   Term Babies:   The term babies, though born at