Pediatric and new born care during lockdown

Dr. Rajendra Dev advises on how to take care of child health and avoid unnecessary exposure amid lockdown. Running nose, cough, fever with normal activities are signs of common cold. One can suspect COVID-19 only if there is history of travel; history of contact with the infected person and all the symptoms of cold with high fever and breathlessness.

Hyderabad: With lockdown and uncertainty staring in our face, we need to be really informed about our child health and avoid unnecessary exposure. When do we really need to see the paediatrician during a lockdown?

Dr Rajendra Dev advises us on the above.

Cold and lower respiratory tract infection is a common illness in children. When do we see it as a suspected COVID infection?

Most of the respiratory infections and common cold in children are viral, transmitted from one child to the other when in close contact in places like nurseries, playschools and all the institutions where a large number of children comes together. All these are drastically reduced due to lockdown.

Running nose, cough, fever with normal activities are signs of common cold. One can suspect COVID-19 only if there is history of travel; history of contact with infected person and all the symptoms of cold with high fever and breathlessness / rapid breathing.

For which conditions do parents need to see a paediatrician during this lockdown- FAQ nowadays as transportation is difficult especially where people rely on public transport?

Most of the common ailments are self-limiting and even telephonic advice will suffice. Few common conditions needing urgent consultation are:

• Any trauma (injury)
• Severe allergic reaction, rashes.
• Severe asthmatic attack,
• Very high fever lasting for more than three days,
• Persistent vomiting,
• Frequent large loose stools
• Any type of convulsion (fit)

Diarrhoea, vomiting is common in summer months but with the lockdown and frequent hand washing the incidence is definitely decreased.

The treatment of diarrhoea is ORS in plenty. Simple diet like rice water, liquid kanji, probiotics, curds do help.

Warning signs in children are :

• Decreased quantities of urine.
• Dry tongue and
• Decreased activity (movements)
• Excessive crying in children can be due to
• Colicky pain of bowels or urinary tract or pain in the ear.
• Little older children can pinpoint the site of pain.

Newborn babies up to the age of one month (Neonates) need urgent medical attention in case of-

• Fever
• Ear discharge
• Poor sucking (feeding)
• Poor activities (child not doing much movement)