Dr. Samutirika Dinesh

All complaints of any system will be addressed efficiently by the paediatrician. The possible systems include : Infections – all paediatric infections with or without fever Neonatology – exclusive newborn care from birth to 1 month of age with utmost precision Respiratory – nose, ears, throat, sinuses, lungs Gastrointestinal – from mouth to anus, including liver, spleen, pancreas Central and peripheral nervous system – brain, spinal cord and nerves Cardiovascular – heart and blood vessels Genitourinary – kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, male and female genitals Dermatology – skin, hair and nails Endocrine – hormone-based, such as thyroid, childhood diabetes, etc. Haematology – blood and blood-related diseases Nutrition deficiency – carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals deficiency Poisoning and bites – animal bites, snake, scorpion, drug poisoning, etc. Orthopaedics and Rheumatology – bone and cartilage, muscles, joint pain Ophthalmology – eyes Trauma and injuries, accidents Basic lifesaving management will be done primarily before addressing the underlying issues. The underlying disease will be efficiently diagnosed, and appropriate treatment will be started and followed up.

Vaccination means “giving” a vaccine to the body to stimulate the immune system. Immunisation means the “protection” a person acquires against a disease from the vaccine given. Vaccines are given in many forms. The regular and Nation-wide acceptable ones are : Oral – by mouth Intramuscular – by injecting into thigh or arm muscle Intradermal – by injecting in between skin layers Subcutaneous – by injecting into fat layer

Nutrition counselling begins right from childbirth (breastfeeding) to complementary feeding (i.e., adding extra food besides breastmilk. A detailed nutrition counselling will be provided to parents and caretakers by a paediatrician who understands the nutritional calorie and protein requirements for children of a certain age and weight. The majority of children in India face malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition). The most common concerns amongst parents are “My child is not eating well” or “my child is eating excessive junk food and rejecting regular meals. These are major fundamental concerns that we will address accordingly by unveiling the nutritional history, any underlying illness and help generate a suitable AFASS (Acceptable, Feasible, Affordable, Sustainable, Safe) diet plan with supplements if required. One thing to keep in mind is that good nutrition ensures good physical and mental health for the child. HFSS (High Fat Sugar Salt) food is detrimental in every way possible.

Developmental monitoring is the ongoing process of observing how your child grows and meets key milestones in playing, learning, speaking, and moving. Unlike a one-time screening, monitoring is an active way for parents to celebrate progress and identify potential needs for early intervention. Why Monitoring Your Child's Progress Matters Tracking your child’s growth isn't about “testing” them; it’s about understanding their unique journey. Early identification of developmental delays can make a significant difference. By using a milestone tracker, you can: Ensure your child is reaching age-appropriate goals. Provide your pediatrician with specific data during well-child visits. Access support services earlier if a delay is suspected.

As the saying goes, “Breastfeeding is the Best Feeding”, it still stands true through all these years and for many more to come. Breastfeeding is very beneficial to both mothers and their babies. It is the only source of immunoglobulins required for building up the baby’s immune system, with rich supplements of nutrition compared to the other sources of milk. Recommended EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING is immediately after birth to 6 months of age, after which complementary feeding is started alongside breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be given up to 2 years of age. Even a nursing mother living in a desert can produce enough breastmilk for her baby. Breastfeeding is not always easy for both mothers and babies. It takes time initially for every new mother and baby to get the hang of it. The most common problem we face from worried parents is: My baby is not attaching well to the breast/ refusing my breastmilk I am not producing enough milk Whenever my baby attaches, he/she feeds only for a few minutes and leaves or sleeps I don’t know the benefits of burping my baby after feeds My baby spits up or vomits after every feed We want you to know that every one of the above complaints is solvable. With just a little practice, guidance, support and commitment, your baby will grow predominantly on your breastmilk into a healthy, strong child. We provide general lactation support and education. There are various techniques and tips that help every mothers to breastfeed leisurely. Treatments General Paediatric, Neonatal and Adolescent Care Growth Monitoring Development Monitoring Lactation Management Nutrition Counselling Routine, Post-illness and Travel Vaccinations

“Development” is acquiring functional skills required for survival. The major domains include : Motor movements Language and speech Social Hearing and vision Bowel and bladder control There are many factors that help the development of a child. Early identification and intervention of development delay/ abnormality is best to ensure a normal healthy developing child : Physical factors like good health, food, warmth, activity Social issues Psychosocial needs Improper newborn stimulation Genetics

“GROWTH” is an increase in size of the body and organs, referring to the physical maturation of the body. It is a continuous process starting before birth to 18 – 20 years of age. There are many factors that help the growth of a child. Early identification and prevention is best to ensure a normal healthy growing child : Mother’s habits like diet and exercise, pregnancy supplements, weight gain, harmful drug intake without a doctor’s prescription Mother’s diseases like diabetes, hypertension, infections, etc. Twin and other multiple pregnancies Mother and baby hormone levels Gap of more than 2 years between two pregnancies Hereditary and genes (e.g. short parents) Social and cultural malpractices Poor nutrition (Insert nutrition page link) Recurrent infections in a child Poor vaccination history (insert vaccination page link) It is important to consider the above factors and monitor the growth of the child at regular visits to a paediatrician. Periodic monitoring helps pick up even the slightest of abnormalities at an early stage.

As our motto says, “Caring for our Little Champs, One Smile at a Time”, we devote primarily to the health, physical with mental well-being and comfort of the child. Sickness of a child will surely impinge pain, anxiety and worry to the parents. We, Paediatricians are explicitly trained to understand and decipher all children’s needs and complaints including very young, verbally non-expressive and irritable children. This enables us to offer relevant and best solutions to parents.