Nasal Bleeding

Problem: A boy of 2 and 1/2 years old suddenly develops nasal bleeding while we were giving round in the ward. Mother became worried.

Comment: Nasal bleeding, the medical term is epistaxis, may occur in children from simple to grave causes. In most cases, the little’s area close to the anterior nears in case of children is more vascular which may changes with the environment and give rise to bleeding. Some children are more vulranable than others. Bleeding may may occur from other areas of the nose depending on the cause. The causes include dryness of the nose, nasal congestion, pricking or trauma to the nose, nasal polyp, hypertension etc.

In our case the small child was suffering from renal hypertension.

Whatever the cause, the immediate stoppage of the bleeding is important. Compress the side of the nose from which the bleeding is coming out, put ice or ice cube over the nose, pour ice water inside the nose. Keep finger compression or ice cold compression until it is stopped.

Consult a doctor who will differentiate whether there is any underlying grave pathology or a simple reason is working.

The doctor may prescribe nasal decongestants, antihistamines, polypectomy, nasal cautery, treatment of hypertension or of any other disease.


Badrud Doza

Bleeding from umbilicus

Problem:
The age of the boy is 15 days. Mother came to me with the complain of bleeding from umbilicus. His umbilical stump has been separated 3 days back, then bleeding is occurring from the umbilicus and a crust of blood is also formed over the umbilicus. The baby is otherwise normal, is feeding well, passed stool and urine.

Comment:
This baby is likely suffering from Vit K deficiency which is common in newborn, especially in premature babies. Breast fed babies also suffer from this deficiency.
Doctors treat the condition by giving Inj Konakion (Vitamin K1 analogue). This vitamin helps in the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver which are dependent on vitamin K. Cleaning of the umbilicus is also important.

The condition may be prevented by giving Inj Konakion after birth and on the 7th day orally.

Badrud Doza

Benefits of breast feeding for babies

Breast milk is best food for the infant. It is tailored especially for the babies by the nature. It contains the components which cannot be fully replaced in artificial milk.

It contains nutrients in the form of carbohydrate, protein and fat in optimum amount and form. The Carbohydrates are in lactose form which is easily digestible, the proteins are in the form of lactalbumin and lactglobulin which is different from cow’s milk or artificial milk (which is actually prepared from cow’s milk) . Cow’s milk contains in addition to lactalbumin and lactglobulin. caesin, a complex protein which needs a different enzyme to digest which is not preset in infant’s stomach.. The fat that is present in mother’s milk is in unsaturated form which is easily digestible and good for health.

Breast milk not only sterile by itself, it also contains antibacterial elements such as antibodies (IgA, IgG) which give the baby better immunity so he can defend himself against different organisms including bacteria and viruses.

Breast milk is good for growth. Not only it contains optimum amount of nutrients, it also contain especial growth factor such as nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor which help in the growth of different tissues of the body.


Breast-fed babies will suffer less from acute illnesses such as Diarrhoea and ARI and will suffer less from allergic diseases.

He will be better protected from long term diseases such as Diabetes, heart diases, Bronchial Asthma and Eczema.



Bdoza

Colostrum shouldn't be rejected

Colostrum is the first milk that is ejected in the first 3-4 days from the breast of the mother. It is thick, small in amount, yellow in colour. It contains less fat, more carbohydrate and protein. It is rich in antibodies esp IgA and contains leucocytes.
Colostrum is tailored to the need of the newborn baby. It contains the substances that are required for a baby in her early days.
It is the first vaccine of the baby. It protects her from different organisms.
It soften the stool. So helps her motion.
Colostrum should not be rejected. A new mother should feed her baby 8-10 times or more.It will stimulate her milk secretion and prevent the breast engorgement.

There is a tendency among the mothers to reject it. That is not scientific. Sometimes it is labelled as witch milk and reject it but that is absolutely superstition.

A baby needs absolute breastfeeding for first 6 months

A baby needs absolute breast feeding for the first 6 months. It is recommended by WHO. WHO (World Health Organisation) is the Apex Body that dictates the policy for health and nutrition for all over the world. It is an affiliated body of the United Nations. WHO formulated the policies after long discussions, adequate trail and recommendations by experts on the subject.

What does absolute breast feeding mean? It means that the baby shouldn't be given any extra feed in any form other than breast milk.

The other day a mother was asking whether she can give any extra water. No. No need of giving extra water. As the breast milk contains 88% water and 12% solid. A baby could satisfy his/her thirst from breast feeding and also satisfy his/her hunger from breast feeding.

The other question mothers usually ask is whether they can bottle fed the baby for one or two times when it is necessary. No, it is not required.

Then what a mother will do when she has to go out for few hours for any purpose? In that
case, milk may be expressed and be given to the baby by cup and spoon. The expressed milk remain intact for atleast 6 hours without freezing .

Bdoza