Parenting and Childcare is one major health issue in Nigeria as there are certain misconceptions about various childhood illnesses and their treatment.
However, paying more attention to these concerns and having the right answers (even in the most minute form possible) is key to balancing and having a healthy life for you and your kid(s).
Speaking with one of Nigeria’s Pediatrician, Dr. Atinuke, here are some of the facts gathered from the common issues faced during parenting and childcare, what’s true and what isn’t.
HF: Can we meet you?
Dr. Atinuke: Hello Everyone, my name is Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh. I am a pediatrician at the Pediatric Partners Hospital, Victoria Island.
HF: What has been your experience in pediatrics in Nigeria? How long have you been practicing?
Dr. Atinuke: I did my medical school training at Obafemi Awolowo University and left in 1989 and proceeded for my residency training in the United States at Howard University Hospital in Pediatrics after which I had a fellowship degree in Pediatrics Emergency medicine at the University of Chicago Hospital. I was done in 1987 after which I practiced in the United States. We later relocated to Nigeria due to some reasons in 2011 together with my partner Dr. Sanusi where we started Pediatrics Partners Hospital in Victoria Island.
HF: What would you say is the most prevalent disease that affects kids in Lagos?
Dr. Atinuke: I don’t think our children are any different from children all over the world. There are certain things we know are more common: Cold and upper respiratory infections.
”A cold is a viral infection. It will last at its own cost and you don’t need antibiotics for it.” – DR. Atinuke
The reason why most kids get colder is due to the fact that they are in the most enclosed setting. They’re in daycare, small nursery school and pass their cold to someone else easily. The most common cause of this is a virus, it is self-limited, which would go away by itself but it’s important to see a doctor for examination and be sure that there isn’t any other complication to just a common cold.
Other childhood illnesses are vomiting and diarrhea. However, we’re grateful for the advent of oral rehydration, this has reduced the need for sugar and salt solution. A mother can easily get a packet of ORT and give to her child who has diarrhea. We still see an appreciable amount of diarrhea and vomiting in the Hospital.
Fever, secondary to bacterial infection is secondary to malaria. Viral infections are mostly cases which we still see and they’re common childhood illnesses which aren’t just peculiar to Nigeria.
HF: How do we tell the difference between Fever and Malaria and what do we do in such cases?
Dr. Atinuke: Okay, Fever means an increase in body temperature. Meaning that when we say fever, we are saying that the temperature of that child is more than 38°C or 100.4°F. There are so many things that could cause a fever. A viral infection, a cold, a bacterial infection, parasites which are where malaria falls on. However, for some, there are some supposedly inflammatory diseases that could also give fever.
Malaria is an infection which is caused by a parasite or plasmodium.
If your child has malaria, he/she would have a fever and because malaria is almost what we call a multi-systemic infection, the child could have anything else. A headache, vomiting, diarrhea. However, it isn’t enough to say my child is warm or vomiting or stooling, so, therefore, he/she has malaria. Malaria is a diagnosis, which means there must have been some tests that were done for you to now say it is malaria. According to WHO, in organized settings, an individual can check for malaria with readymade diagnostic kits to check if your child has malaria rather than just starting them on anti-malaria drugs.
”If you think your child has malaria, take him/her to a doctor or get to a pharmacy where you can get a diagnostic kit to check for malaria before treatment.”
HF: Is there a possibility of infants having malaria?
Dr. Atinuke: I am yet to see a newborn with malaria because, for the first few months of life, a mother’s antibodies are very protective of her child. Rarely do we see a newborn with malaria, but if so, the mortality tends to be quite high.
HF: Does teething also cause fever in infants?
Dr. Atinuke: Yes, you could have a fever from teething but most of the time its ** and the child is. Don’t just assume that because your child has a fever and is teething and you just keep the child at home. You’re better off have your child been seen by a doctor. They could have a low-grade fever from teething.
Diarrhea is not a result of teething. The only reason why a child would have diarrhea and parents would say it’s from teething is due to the fact that when infants are teething the gum is irritable and so there’s a tendency for a child to get infections from putting any unclean object in his/her mouth. So it’s not the teething that’s causing diarrhea, but all the actions around teething that causes it.
HF: When should I visit the hospital? Is it for every fever I notice?
Dr. Atinuke: If your child is less than 3 months and begins to have a fever, it is advised that you go straight to your doctor, but if he/she is over a year, you could give some fever medicine at home and watch for a day or two after which it is advised that you take your child to the hospital if there are no signs of improvement.
HF: What is the first aid treatment for emergencies?
Dr. Atinuke: There are different kinds of emergencies.
For seizures, most times it is better to just lay the child. Avoid putting a spoon in the child’s mouth. Lay the child may be on the side and allow the seizure run through. As a parent, you can bring the child to the hospital during the seizure, but avoid certain things like putting oil in the child’s mouth.
If for instance, you notice that your child swallowed some harmful substance like kerosene, do not administer palm oil to that child, as he/she can cough or choke on it and aspirate that and that could cause the problem. We’ve lost a number of kids from this act because now palm oil is getting into the lungs. The best thing is to get the child to the hospital.
HF: What advice do you have for parents when it comes to childcare?
Dr. Atinuke: We’re now in the internet age where a lot of people are able to check online and get tips.
However, my advice is, just as adults need routine checkups, children also need routine checkups. It shouldn’t just be when the child is ill that they should see a doctor. Regular checkups should be done during the first two years of life. During these checkups, doctors could easily check for vision, hearing, and developmental anomalies.
No parent should wait till their child has a fever before going to the hospital, they should have a habit of having regular routine checks.
HF: What advice do you have for the government to tackle high mortality rates in Nigeria?
Dr. Atinuke: We’re still struggling with infectious diseases, malaria, diarrhea and the likes. We’ve not been able to meet developmental goals in any of these. What has worked for some other countries; the government is able to give universal health coverage even if it is just the children less than five (5) years of age, to ensure that no child won’t be attended to in any hospital because the parents can afford the bills.
My advice is that the government should be able to provide Universal Health Insurance coverage for kids and lay emphasis on preventable visits like regular health checks, compliance with immunization and the likes. The government should also educate parents on the best way to go on childcare.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
I am truly glad to read this webpage posts which consists of lots of useful information, thanks for providing such information.
This post will help the internet viewers for building up new blog or even a blog from start to end.
как заставить просить прощение заговоры набор цифр которые что то
означают к чему снится старая страшная старуха
все факты о знаке зодиака будет ли переезд гадание, расклад
таро будет ли переезд
vendita di farmaci a Bruxelles hexal Tortuguitas Acheter
médicaments en toute sécurité Belgique
кір жуғыш ұнтақтардың пайдасы мен зияны, тұрмыстық заттарды қалай дұрыс қолдану керек масса головного
мозга, оболочки головного мозга оң түстік қазақстан қалалары, солтүстік
қазақстан курс доллара
к гривне, курс доллара к тенге
тайбурыл регистрация, тайбурыл подать заявку актау
море градус, температура воды в каспийском море сегодня
микрофон shure sm58, shure sm57 салют гостиница, гостиница алма
салқын самал жайлап соққан жел, желең жел
деген не svc dil-1000, инвертор svc инструкция өнер антропогенез
факторы ретінде, еңбек адамзат өмірінің бірінші
негізгі шарты заң бұзушылық неге әкеліп соғады, 434 бап 1
бөлім
аиф ру, аиф архив hr-process шымкент, шымкент мұғалімдерге жұмыс
заң кітапхана, кітапхана номенклатурасы ойпатты жазықтардың абсолюттік биіктігі, қазақстандағы жазықтар мен ойпаттар
One other issue is when you are in a situation where you will not have a co-signer then you may really need to try to wear out all of your financial aid options. You can find many grants or loans and other scholarships that will present you with funds that can help with university expenses. Thanks alot : ) for the post.
In these days of austerity along with relative stress and anxiety about getting debt, many people balk against the idea of making use of a credit card in order to make purchase of merchandise or maybe pay for a vacation, preferring, instead only to rely on this tried plus trusted technique of making settlement – hard cash. However, if you possess cash on hand to make the purchase 100 , then, paradoxically, that is the best time to be able to use the credit card for several factors.
Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice methods and we are looking to swap methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
Great work! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared across the web. Shame on Google for no longer positioning this put up higher! Come on over and discuss with my site . Thanks =)
When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!
An interesting dialogue is worth comment. I believe that you need to write more on this matter, it won’t be a taboo subject but usually people are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
The very root of your writing while appearing reasonable initially, did not really settle properly with me after some time. Someplace throughout the sentences you actually managed to make me a believer but only for a short while. I still have got a problem with your leaps in assumptions and you would do well to fill in all those breaks. If you actually can accomplish that, I would undoubtedly be fascinated.
I’ve learned new things from your blog post. One other thing I have discovered is that generally, FSBO sellers are going to reject you. Remember, they might prefer not to use your products and services. But if you actually maintain a gentle, professional connection, offering assistance and remaining in contact for about four to five weeks, you will usually be capable of win a meeting. From there, a house listing follows. Cheers
I?d must test with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in studying a submit that will make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to comment!
Can I just say what a reduction to seek out somebody who truly is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know easy methods to convey a difficulty to light and make it important. More people must learn this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre no more well-liked because you definitely have the gift.
hello!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
I have come to understand that costs for on-line degree experts tend to be a fantastic value. Like a full College Degree in Communication with the University of Phoenix Online consists of 60 credits from $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online gives a Bachelors of Business Administration with a full school requirement of 180 units and a tariff of $30,560. Online degree learning has made taking your college degree been so cool because you may earn your own degree from the comfort of your abode and when you finish from office. Thanks for other tips I have learned through your blog.
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I have a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
I think this is among the most important info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I have realized that online diploma is getting popular because attaining your college degree online has developed into popular method for many people. Quite a few people have not had a possible opportunity to attend a traditional college or university however seek the raised earning possibilities and career advancement that a Bachelor Degree gives. Still other folks might have a degree in one training but want to pursue anything they now have an interest in.
I?ve recently started a site, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very good blog!
The very root of your writing whilst sounding reasonable in the beginning, did not work well with me personally after some time. Someplace within the sentences you managed to make me a believer unfortunately only for a short while. I still have got a problem with your jumps in assumptions and you would do nicely to help fill in all those breaks. In the event you can accomplish that, I would certainly end up being fascinated.
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
One thing I would really like to say is that often car insurance canceling is a dreadful experience so if you’re doing the right things as being a driver you may not get one. A number of people do have the notice that they have been officially dropped by the insurance company they have to fight to get added insurance from a cancellation. Affordable auto insurance rates usually are hard to get after the cancellation. Knowing the main reasons regarding auto insurance cancelling can help drivers prevent sacrificing one of the most essential privileges accessible. Thanks for the ideas shared by your blog.
I have realized that car insurance businesses know the motors which are prone to accidents as well as other risks. Additionally, these people know what types of cars are susceptible to higher risk and also the higher risk they’ve already the higher your premium price. Understanding the straightforward basics associated with car insurance will assist you to choose the right form of insurance policy which will take care of your needs in case you become involved in any accident. Thanks for sharing the particular ideas in your blog.
I think other site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and great user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
This is hands down one of the best articles I’ve read on this topic! The author’s comprehensive knowledge and passion for the subject are apparent in every paragraph. I’m so grateful for coming across this piece as it has deepened my understanding and stimulated my curiosity even further. Thank you, author, for taking the time to produce such a remarkable article!