What is a Neonatologist? |PAEDIATRICS & NEONATOLOGY|

A neonatologist specializes in caring for premature babies and full-term newborn babies with injuries, illness, or birth defects. Neonatologists typically work in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and collaborate with other healthcare providers, including obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers.

A neonatologist typically:

• Examines the newborn baby and evaluates his or her medical history including the mom’s medical history before and during pregnancy
• Provides primary healthcare services and immunizations in the hospital
• Orders and interprets laboratory and imaging tests
• Diagnoses and treats diseases and conditions affecting a newborn baby’s health
• Assesses growth and development
• Prescribes medications
• Educates the baby’s parents or caretakers about wellness and disease prevention
• Consults with other members of the patient’s medical and team
• Provides ongoing neonatal care in the hospital NICU
• Neonatologists may also be known by the following names: baby doctor, newborn pediatrician, newborn doctor, newborn intensive care doctor, and NICU doctor.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at AMRI Hospital

AMRI Neonatal facility with 26 beds is the largest in Eastern India’s private sector hospitals, with full range of acute care facility that offers unique therapies & services. A few salient features about our NICU include:

• Advanced Neonatal therapies like HFOV,Whole body cooling for HIE
• Dedicated Neonatal Emergency Transport Services
• Latest open care systems & incubators (GE Giraffe Omnibed)
• Neonatal specific Ventilators
• ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)
• Comprehensive Care of Extremely Preterm (less than 28 weeks & less than 1000 gm) & critically ill babies.
• 24 hrs Emergency Care
• Isolation unit for potentially septic neonates
• Laminar Flow to prepare TPN
• Cerebral Function Monitors (CFM)

For more info visit here :  https://www.amrihospitals.in/specialty/paediatrics-neonatology?q=node/40&show=1

Summer Guide to Healthy Hair & Scalp For Your Baby

Just like we take care of babies during summer to keep their bodies cool and refreshed, it is important to pay attention to their scalp and hair to keep dry and flaky skin at bay, which is a common concern among newborns. A baby’s delicate skin is highly susceptible to these skin conditions along with sweating, especially during seasonal changes. This makes it imperative for parents to practice and incorporate a hair care routine to soothe their tender scalp and ensure healthy hair.

We all are aware that baby’s hair and scalp is sensitive, which makes it vulnerable to irritation. Moreover, during summer, the scalp is prone to sweating which leads to discomfort. But these conditions can be managed by ample care such as a gentle head massage with a baby oil and washing the scalp with warm water, suggested by AMRI Hospitals.

Here are two key points that will help you choose the right products for your baby’s hair and scalp:-

1. For an oil massage: While massaging baby’s body, concentrate on the scalp as this helps improve blood circulation. Flaky skin and cradle cap can be managed by gently massaging the scalp with an oil. An oil massage also helps promote sound sleep. It is advisable to use a baby oil which is free from mineral oil and lanolin and is enriched with Olive Oil and Winter Cherry. Vitamin E in Olive Oil helps soften the skin and Winter Cherry helps soothe the skin.

2. Use a shampoo to nourish the hair and scalp: You can opt for a shampoo or a head-to-heel baby wash to clean the hair and scalp. Use a shampoo that can nourish baby’s hair without causing any irritation or tears. A shampoo containing Chickpea, a natural source of protein, helps condition and moisturize the hair, and Hibiscus helps nourish the hair. For a baby wash, you can opt for one that is infused with Watermelon and Neem.

Caring for your baby’s skin and hair could be one of the best moments that you will cherish for days to come.

6 Common Skin Problems You Suffer From In The Hot Weather

Summer season is a hard time for not just the body but also your skin. As the temperature soars, the heat becomes unbearable, and while you've trained your body to fight the heat and keep cool, the same is needed for your delicate skin too.
The answer lies in keeping yourself well-hydrated, protecting your skin from sun exposure, and reducing any conditions that make you vulnerable to infections.

1. Heat Rashes: Multiple factors combine to make your skin irritable during the summer. Along with the heat, that puts a lot of pressure on the skin, comes sweating. However, sometimes dirt and dust clog the sweat ducts of the skin, trapping the perspiration. This can result in itchy rashes, blisters or mini-bumps. Clothes can add to the irritability all the more due to friction.

Solution: Prevent this condition by keeping yourself squeaky clean, especially if you sweat a lot. Bathe twice a day, particularly when you end your day. Use an anti-bacterial soap or bath gel. Keep yourself dry as much as possible. Rubbing the affected skin with ice cubes can help soothe the irritation. If the condition persists, meet a dermatologist.

2. Dehydration: It is not just your body but also your skin that bears the brunt of dehydration. As we sweat, we continuously lose hydration from the skin. If not sufficiently replenished, this can leave the skin dry, irritated and more prone to sunburn. Your lips may start to crack and dry patches may appear.

Solution: The most logical answer is to drink as much water as you can. Carry a water bottle with you all the time, do not go without sipping once every half an hour. Also add a lot of juices and summer fruits to your diet. Fruits like watermelon, which are high in water content, are particularly good for the body and skin during the summer. You can also seek deep hydrating treatments like Hydrating Electroporation Therapy, Oxygen Therapy or Juvederm Refine to pamper your skin.

3. Sunburns: The summer sun is so harsh that it can scorch your skin, causing red patches and rashes that burn. This happens more to people who have a sensitive skin. In simple language, it is the sun burning up your soft and sensitive skin.

Solution: Logically, the only way to protect your skin against this condition is to minimise sun exposure. At the same time, it is equally important to wear a sunscreen religiously. Apply a sunblock cream liberally all over your face, neck and arms 20 minutes before stepping out. Make sure you re-apply the same every four to five hours to ensure continuous protection. It is also advisable for people who have sensitive skin to wear clothes covering as much skin as possible during the day. Ending your day with an aloe vera gel face pack will cool down the sunburnt skin.

4. Acne: The sweat makes our skin a magnet for dust, grime and pollution, particularly if we spend some time outdoors. This combination of heat and dirt is a perfect recipe for acne and pimples to thrive. The dust clogs the skin's pores while the heat gives bacteria a perfect environment to grow.

Solution: To minimize acne, regular care should be taken to keep the skin clean. You should carry your face wash with you and give your face a quick wash at least three times a day or whenever you think it needs a clean-up. Use a good facial cleanser every evening so that your skin pores are free of dirt; use anti-bacterial face wash; and end your day with a cooling application of multani mitti or sandalwood face pack to contain inflammation. Often, acne might need medical attention. So, if your breakouts do not subside, do visit a dermatologist. You may need hormonal correction.

5. Bacterial infections: The hot temperature gives bacteria and viruses a perfect environment to thrive. Bacteria is everywhere, and you cannot even see it. People who use public transport and move around in crowded places are much more likely to come in contact with multiple bacterial infections. Even the bus seat or window you touch with your hand may be carrying bacteria. These hands then touch your face, often resulting in skin infections.

Solution: Try to keep your hands clean and washed most of the times. Carry a hand wash and keep washing every couple of hours. If this is not possible, use a hand sanitizer. And give up the habit of touching your face with your fingers all the time. Folliculitis is a common condition when the damaged hair follicles get infected by bacteria, resulting in inflammation. To prevent this, wear loose clothes, avoid using swimming pools which are not properly disinfected, and prevent cuts while shaving.

6. Tanning: When exposed to the sun's UV radiation, the skin's melanin reacts by forming a protective shield. The melanin results in dark pigmentation, either uniformly or in patches on the skin. The result is what we call skin darkening, tanning or hyper-pigmentation.

Solution: Using a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF and re-applying is important, so is wearing sunglasses to prevent dark circles. To undo the effects of tanning, seek procedures like laser skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or Microdermabrasion. Your dermatologist will suggest the right procedure for your needs.

Visit AMRI Hospitals, Best Skincare hospital in Kolkata

Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage

Your nervous system is involved in everything your body does, from regulating your breathing to controlling your muscles and sensing heat and cold.

There are three types of nerves in the body:

Autonomic nerves. These nerves control the involuntary or partially voluntary activities of your body, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.

Motor nerves. These nerves control your movements and actions by passing information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles.

Sensory nerves. These nerves relay information from your skin and muscles back to your spinal cord and brain. The information is then processed to let you feel pain and other sensations.

Because nerves are essential to all you do, nerve pain and damage can seriously affect your quality of life.

What Are the Symptoms of Nerve Pain and Nerve Damage?

With nerve damage there can be a wide array of symptoms. Which ones you may have depends on the location and type of nerves that are affected. Damage can occur to nerves in your brain and spinal cord. It can also occur in the peripheral nerves, which are located throughout the rest of your body.

Autonomic nerve damage may produce the following symptoms:

• Inability to sense chest pain, such as angina or heart attack
• Too much sweating (known as hyperhidrosis) or too little sweating(known as anhidrosis)
• Lightheadedness
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Constipation
• Bladder dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction

Damage to motor nerves may produce the following symptoms:

• Weakness
• Muscle atrophy
• Twitching, also known as fasciculation
• Paralysis

Sensory nerve damage may produce the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Sensitivity
• Numbness
• Tingling or prickling
• Burning
• Problems with positional awareness

In some instances, people with nerve damage will have symptoms that indicate damage to two, or even three, different types of nerves. For instance, you might experience weakness and burning of your legs at the same time.

For any health related problems, consult AMRI Hospitals, Best Hospital in Kolkata

First Trimester : 9 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

9 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS

Right now, the pregnancy hormone hCG is circulating through your body at its peak level. That means at 9 weeks, some pregnancy symptoms may be at their most severe. Hang in there—you’re just weeks away from those hormones leveling out a bit, leaving you feeling a lot more like yourself. Here’s what 9 weeks pregnant symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Mood swings. Because those hormones just keep raging, and also because other symptoms—such as nausea and fatigue—are bothering you, you may find your emotions more difficult to control. Remember that it’s okay to slow your usual pace, to take breaks (to nap, to meditate, or just to veg out and binge-watch Netflix), and to avoid stressful situations for the sake of your sanity.
• Morning sickness. Up to 80 percent of pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness. It really should be called all-day sickness though! If you’re suffering from nausea, you might just be feeling a little ill, or you may be vomiting regularly. If you are 9 weeks pregnant with twins, you may find yourself with more severe morning sickness symptoms. The good and bad news is that at 9 weeks, morning sickness is likely at its worst. Do some trial and error to see what makes you feel better—many moms-to-be find that ginger, frequent meals and snacks, and vitamin B6 help ease nausea. You’re suffering now, but this too shall pass. You can get through this!
• Frequent urination. Because your uterus is expanding and because there’s major blood flow to your pelvic area, you may be heading to the bathroom more often than you did pre-pregnancy. Don’t let that stop you from drinking lots of water. It’s important that you stay hydrated. Just put more pit stops onto your mental to-do list.
• Fatigue. While your hormones are working overtime to grow and develop your 9-week fetus, you might be feeling totally zapped. Sleep more, if you can, and keep your blood sugar stable by snacking healthily throughout the day. In the second trimester, you’ll get some of your energy back.
• Nasal congestion. Surprise! Pregnancy can cause higher mucus production in the body—an unexpected symptom—so you might need to keep tissues handy.
• Headaches. Thanks again, hormones! Those surges can give you headaches—and so can dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, hunger, lack of sleep, and stress. Deal by treating your other symptoms, eating at least every few hours, getting plenty of sleep, and drinking lots of water. A warm or cold compress can ease a headache and so can rest. Before you take any medication, clear it with your doctor. Many say acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay but aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil) aren’t. It will depend on your health history and any other medications you may be taking.

9 WEEKS PREGNANT BELLY

Many moms-to-be find themselves struggling to button their jeans at 9 weeks pregnant. Your uterus is expanding to accommodate your growing fetus. In fact, it has doubled in size! When you touch your 9 weeks pregnant belly, you’ll probably find that your lower abdomen feels a bit firmer—that’s the uterus. You may even be showing a bit at 9 weeks! Your uterus will begin to grow out of your pelvis in coming weeks.

Weight gain at 9 weeks isn’t just okay—it’s recommended. How much weight your doctor recommends you put on during pregnancy will depend on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For example, if you started out with an average BMI, you will likely be told to put on a total of 25 to 35 pounds total during pregnancy—about three to five pounds of that should happen in the first trimester. If you’re 9 weeks pregnant with twins, you should aim to put on about a pound per week right now.

That said, so many moms-to-be are riddled with morning sickness and food aversions when they’re 9 weeks pregnant that they might not be gaining weight—they may be losing it! Naturally, you’ll want to talk to your OB about any concerns you have with your weight gain or loss—and definitely let him or her know if it’s sudden or drastic. But most doctors will tell you that minor weight loss is okay at this stage of the game. Once you begin getting your appetite back, you’ll have an opportunity to get your weight gain back on track.

There are also pregnant women who get nausea so severe they need medical treatment. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is diagnosed when a pregnant woman is so sick she’s dangerously dehydrated. If you can’t seem to keep any liquids down, are losing a significant amount of weight, or if you’ve fainted, you should tell your doctor, who will do a physical exam to see if you have HG.

The good news is that there are treatments for HG. You may need an IV to replenish your fluids, and you and your doctor may choose to try a prescription anti-nausea medication to help stop the vomiting.

The first prenatal appointment typically happens between weeks 8 and 12. So by now, you may have visited the OB—if not, you will soon! At that first appointment you may even see baby’s tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound. Exciting stuff, huh?

A 9 weeks pregnant ultrasound is typically done transvaginally. That means the doctor or ultrasound technician will have to insert a probe into your vagina, since your uterus still sits behind your pelvic bone. (Don’t worry—it doesn’t hurt!) The probe will emit sound waves, which will allow you to see an image of your 9-week fetus on a screen.

Not only will you catch a glimpse of baby—who will resemble a lima bean—but the 9 weeks pregnant ultrasound will also confirm that the pregnancy is uterine (which means there are no signs of ectopic or tubular pregnancy at 9 weeks). The doctor may point out the gestational sac, the yolk sac, and the fetal pole.

That’s right, week 9 of pregnancy is a milestone: Baby’s no longer an embryo—now he or she is a fetus! These two terms simply define different phases of development. The embryonic phase is about forming major organs, including the brain, heart, and lungs, plus the arms and legs. Once you’ve got a fetus, those organs and parts are formed and are now growing and developing.

Inside your week 9 pregnant belly, baby’s working on that cuteness—developing more distinct facial features. And baby might now have a strong enough heartbeat to be picked up by a fetal doppler. At 9 weeks pregnant, miscarriage risk is on a lot of women’s minds. Rest assured that once you’ve seen or heard a heartbeat, the risk is only 3 percent. In coming weeks, it will lower even more.

Other prenatal tests you can expect around 9 weeks pregnant include blood work to test for hormone levels, blood type, white and red blood cell counts, and certain diseases. You’ll also have a pap smear to check for abnormalities (which can be signs of cervical cancer) and STDs, and a urine test to check that the protein levels and hormone levels seem healthy. All that poking and prodding will totally be worth it when you’re holding your newborn baby. All in good time!

The importance of Sleep for Children & Teenagers

The right amount of sleep is important for many reasons and knowing how much to get can help with your overall health. For children heading back-to-school, getting enough shut-eye can have a huge impact on memory, behavior, school performance and mental health.

The recommended amount of sleep, on a regular basis, to promote optimal health is as follows:

• Infants four to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
• Children one to two years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
• Children three to five years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps).
• Children six to 12 years of age should sleep nine to 12 hours per 24 hours.
• Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep eight to 10 hours per 24 hours.
  

  Tips for Healthy Sleep Habits:

  Make sufficient sleep a family priority. Understand the importance of getting enough sleep and how sleep affects the overall health of you and your children. Remember that you are a role model to your child; set a good example.
  Keep to a regular daily routine. The same waking time, meal times, nap time, and play times will help your child feel secure and comfortable and help with a smooth bedtime. For young children, it helps to start early with a bedtime routine such as brush, book, bed. Make sure the sleep routines you use can be used anywhere, so you can help your child get to sleep wherever you may be.
  Monitor screen time. AMRI Hopspitals experts recommend keeping all screens—TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and phones out of children’s bedrooms, especially at night. To prevent sleep disruption, turn off all screens at least 60 minutes/1 hour before bedtime.  Create a Family Media Use Plan and set boundaries about use before bedtime.
  Avoid overscheduling. In addition to homework, many children today have scheduled evening activities (i.e., sports games, lessons, appointments, etc.) that pose challenges to getting a good night’s sleep. Take time to wind down and give your children the downtime that they need.
  Learn to recognize sleep problems. The most common sleep problems in children include difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, snoring, stalling and resisting going to bed, sleep apnea, and loud or heavy breathing while sleeping.
  Talk to your child’s teacher or child care provider about your child’s alertness during the day. Sleep problems may manifest in the daytime, too. A child with not enough, or poor-quality sleep may have difficulty paying attention or “zoning out” in school. Let your child’s teacher know that you want to be made aware of any reports of your child falling asleep in school, as well as any learning or behavior problems.
  Talk to your child’s pediatrician about sleep. Discuss your child’s sleep habits and problems with your pediatrician, as most sleep problems are easily treated. He or she may ask you to keep a sleep log or have additional suggestions to improving your child’s sleep habits.