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Dr. Ashraf Kasem is a pediatric specialist with 10 years experience in pediatrics, neonatology and pediatric nutrition. Having a pediatrics practice in Mansoura, Egypt, he is an influencer in Egypt and Arabic countries with more than 500,000 followers on his Facebook page. Dr. Kasem graduated from Mansoura University and did his masters degree in Pediatrics from Al Azhar University.
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Cyanosis is a bluish-purple skin discoloration caused by a lack of oxygen. On the other hand, bluish-purple discoloration around the mouth and extremities, particularly the palms and soles, is called acrocyanosis. Acrocyanosis is usually considered normal in healthy newborns until there is no cyanosis in the central region of the body. Generally, acrocyanosis in newborns can happen due to benign [simple_tooltip text="vasomotor" tooltip="Narrowing or widening of blood vessels causing changes in skin color and temperature." ]changes, which self-resolve during the first few days of life (1). However, the condition could develop due to other underlying issues as well. This post discusses everything you need to about acrocyanosis, including its symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options for babies. [mj-toc] Symptoms Of Acrocyanosis In Babies [caption id="attachment_892731" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Painless bluish discoloration of hands and feet is the most notable sign of the condition. The following signs and symptoms may also be seen in acrocyanosis (2) (3). Affected...
Time has flown by, and it has already been four months since you brought your little bundle of joy home. This post on 4-month-old baby development milestones will give you an insight into their developmental traits. Babies grow with each passing day, and by the time they are four months old, they are capable of doing many things. They can look straight into your eyes, recognize you, and even smile back at you. All these traits are just heartwarming and so joyful. Read on to know more about the various developmental milestones that your newborn attains by the time they are four months of age. [mj-toc] A Four-Month-Old Baby’s Development Chart Achieved Developmental Milestones Emerging Developmental Milestones Responds to basic sounds and words Learns to respond to his own name Supports body with arms during tummy time Can roll over from tummy to back Smiles and laughs while looking at faces Responds differently to specific facial expressions Tracks nearby objects...
Babies achieve various [simple_tooltip text="developmental milestones" tooltip="Stages of a baby’s development in which they attain vital life skills as they grow." ] during the first year of life. However, since sitting upright is one of the most noticeable physical developmental milestones in babies, many parents may wonder, “when does a baby sit up?” Although most babies can sit with support in early infancy, sitting upright without support requires significant skill development. It may also indicate that your baby is stepping toward achieving other milestones. Read on to know when a baby sits up without support, the signs of readiness, how to encourage them, and when to seek a doctor’s attention. [mj-toc] When Does A Baby Sit Up On Their Own? Babies can sit without support at six months and get into a sitting position by themselves by nine months (1). The baby will achieve several milestones before this ability. The achievement of other physical development milestones at different ages indicates...
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gives rise to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV in babies or HIV in newborns is also known as congenital HIV or neonatal HIV. The virus may cause opportunistic infections in babies by attacking and weakening their immune system (1) (2). Babies acquire congenital HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding. The spread of the disease is called vertical transmission or perinatal transmission of the disease. Most HIV infections in babies are caused by vertical transmission (3). Read this post to learn about signs, causes, diagnosis, management, and prevention of HIV in babies. [mj-toc] Signs Of HIV Infection In Babies Infants infected with HIV most often do not have symptoms for the initial two to three months. Once the symptoms develop, the way they manifest varies from one baby to the other. Early signs of HIV in babies may include the following (1) (2). Lack of energy Weight loss and failure to grow Frequent and...
Prebiotics for babies may help promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. At the 6th Meeting of the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) in 2008, dietary prebiotics was defined as "a selectively fermented ingredient that results in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefit(s) upon host health" (1). Thus, prebiotics are different from probiotics and have different functions, which is elaborated in this article. This post also discusses whether babies require prebiotics and their benefits, safety, and food sources. [mj-toc] Difference Between Prebiotics And Probiotics For Babies [caption id="attachment_892522" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Prebiotics are often confused with probiotics. There are differences in them though, that can be best understood through their definitions provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2). Probiotics are food supplements that contain viable/live good bacteria that cause alterations in the bacterial colonies of the host’s intestines. These bacteria keep the gut healthy. Prebiotics are non-digestible...
It’s been three months since your baby was born, and it may seem like time has passed by in the blink of an eye. However, by this time, they may have reached many developmental milestones. Hence, their 3-month-old baby developmental milestones should be monitored to track their growth trajectory and well-being. This post discusses all the developmental milestones – cognitive, physical, social, and emotional – that most babies reach by three months of age. It also discusses how to recognize the warning signs of developmental delay and tips to improve their development. [mj-toc]Three-Month-Old Baby Milestones Chart Achieved developmental milestones Emerging developmental milestones Lifts head by 45º during tummy time Can move head to 90º Pushes leg down when held vertical Will bear weight on feet when held vertical Brings hands to mouth Can bring hands together Grasps objects within reach Attempts grabbing objects beyond reach Shakes object in hand Will hit the object to a surface and play Tracks moving...
Malaria in babies is more prevalent in [simple_tooltip text="tropical" tooltip="Related to a region that has hot and humid weather." ]and [simple_tooltip text="subtropical" tooltip="Area on the earth in the north and south region of the tropics or equator." ]regions. It is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Babies born to mothers with malaria during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing malaria in the first few days of life, called congenital malaria. High fever and shaking chills are some initial symptoms of malaria in babies. Although anyone can contract malaria, babies between six months to five years are most vulnerable to severe symptoms and complications. Read on to know about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of malaria in babies. [mj-toc] How Common Is Malaria In Babies? According to the World Health Organization, children younger than five years accounted for 67% of fatalities due to malaria in 2019 (1) (2). Inadequate immunity is usually...