MD, DCH, MRCPS
Dr. Atiqur Rahman Khan is an experienced senior neonatologist and pediatrician with over 20 years of experience. He has been working under the Ministry of Health at Maternity and Children’s Hospital Saudi Arabia for more than 15 years.Having completed his undergraduation from Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Dr. Khan went on to do his post graduation from Yerevan State Medical University and DCH from Royal college of Physicians (Ireland). He has experience in dealing with the most challenging cases in children, from chronic disorders to common childhood health issues and prematurely born babies in NICU.
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The pincer grasp is the ability to hold or grasp something with the thumb and index fingertip. The American Academy of Pediatrics cited this ability as a developmental milestone with many other milestones. It can be exciting to see your little one achieving new milestones, and you may often look for common milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, or walking. Claire Lerner, Parenting Resources Director at Zero to Three, a National Nonprofit Organization promoting the healthy development of babies and toddlers, says, “Getting the pincer grasp is one of the biggest keys to independence. Eventually, a child will use this grasp to do essential things like feed and dress herself and brush her teeth.” Read on to learn more about the pincer grasp and toys and activities that help develop this skill. [mj-toc] What Is Pincer Grasp? [caption id="attachment_892149" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] A pincer grasp is a kind of finger-hold that your baby will start developing between 9...
[mj-toc] Fever in babies can make the parents worried, while the infant stays in discomfort. A high body temperature in babies indicates that something is amiss with their body and should be addressed by a doctor. This post discusses some of the prominent causes of fever in newborns, how to care for a baby with a fever, and preventive strategies to avoid a fever in the first place. What Temperature Is A Fever For The Baby? A fever is the condition when the brain increases the core body temperature from normal. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines fever in infants as a body temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C) (1). The normal body temperature range of the baby is between 97.5°F (36.4°C) and 99.5°F (37.5°C). However, there are several ways of measuring a baby’s body temperature , based on which the definition of a fever can vary. [mj_protip type="Point to consider" title="Point to consider"]Do not use an ear thermometer for...
Lip tie in babies is not a serious physical anomaly. Excessive drooling and clicking sounds and issues while nursing can be symptoms of lip tie in babies. Lip ties may interfere with breastfeeding and the development of teeth. Although it is painless, if left unmanaged, there can be complications in the future. Read this post to know the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of lip ties in babies. [mj-toc] What Is A Lip Tie? A lip tie occurs when the soft membrane of the tissue behind the upper lip tightly attaches to the upper jaw, restricting the movement of the lip (1). Normally, the thin sheet of tissue (medically called labial frenulum) extends from behind the upper lip to the front of the gums of the upper jaw. You can see the tissue on raising the upper lip. But in a lip tie, the frenulum is thick and extends to the ridge of the upper gums, where the teeth appear. Some...
Exanthema subitum, roseola infantum, or roseola in toddlers is caused by a viral infection. It is also referred to as the sixth disease and presents as rashes appearing all over a toddler’s body. The symptoms start with a high fever, and the rashes appear only after the fever subsides. Keep reading this post to know more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of this viral disease in toddlers. Also, learn about how toddlers contract this disease, whether it is contagious, and other frequently asked questions about roseola, such as whether a toddler can contract it more than once. [mj-toc] What Is Roseola And What Causes It In Toddlers? [caption id="attachment_890588" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Roseola is a viral childhood disease caused by an infection from the human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) or herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7). HHV-6 is a more common cause of the disease than HHV-7 (1). Both HHV-6 and HHV-7 belong to the same family as the herpes simplex...
[mj-toc] Vaccination for babies is the most effective strategy to protect or immunize your child from various infectious diseases. When compared to the expense of illness treatment, vaccination is also cost-effective. Vaccines develop herd immunity and prevent many life-threatening diseases, with lasting complications, such as polio (1). Antigens or parts of antigens that cause disease are contained in vaccines. Since the antigens in the vaccination are weakened or killed in the laboratories before employing in vaccines, they do not cause disease. They are, however, powerful enough to stimulate the immune system to create antibodies against the antigen in question. Therefore, it implies that your child develops immunity without becoming ill (2). Read on to learn more about the immunization schedule and vaccination chart for babies in India. the reasons for vaccination, and the repercussions of not getting vaccinated. Vaccination Schedule For Babies and Children In India Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)...
Symptoms of most viral and bacterial infections in babies may look similar, but the treatments vary. So it is recommended to seek pediatric consultation to identify and treat the exact causes. Giving over-the-counter medications and antibiotics for viral infection may not be helpful, and it also causes resistance to drugs later. Even though the baby has a bacterial infection, it is essential to determine the dose and duration of the medications to prevent recurrence and resistance. Bacterial infection can occur in newborns and older infants and is often accompanied by fever and other symptoms. Although many pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria lead to infections, some good bacteria in the gut microbiome, such as lactobacillus, promote good gut health and digestion (1). Read on to know more about common bacterial infections in babies [mj-toc] What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bacterial Infections? Babies infected with bacterial infections can exhibit any of the following symptoms (2). Fever, cough, rhinitis or runny nose...
Bedwetting in children under five years of age is normal since their ability to control their bladder is not strong during this time. Their body is still learning to regulate different functions. There are two types of bedwetting, primary and secondary. If your child has constantly wet the bed since early childhood, it is called primary bedwetting. However, if they suddenly develop this condition after a long period of normal bladder control, it is called secondary bedwetting. Both require your attention. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it was found that 20% of children experience occasional accidents of bedwetting at the age of five, which reduces to 10% at the age of seven, ultimately decreasing to a minimal 1% and 3% in teenagers. In this post, we explain more about bedwetting in children, including its causes, treatment, and some lifestyle changes and home remedies to alleviate it. [mj-toc] Why Do Children Wet The Bed? “The vast majority of children...
Sleep problems, like bedwetting, leg restlessness, teeth grinding, sleepwalking, and sleep talking in children, can be frequently seen. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), about 50% of the pediatric population have some type of sleep problem, with just around 4% being diagnosed with a sleep disorder (1). Sleep talking, also known as somniloquy, is a sleep-wake transition condition in which people talk in their sleep without realizing it (2). Children may be murmuring, mumbling, groaning, speaking in whole sentences, blabbering, mumbling, chuckling, or even whistling while sleeping. Sleep talking is harmless and temporary in most cases and does not require treatment. Continue reading to learn more about sleep talking, its effects on children, and how to deal with it. [mj-toc] Why Do Children Talk In Their Sleep? [caption id="attachment_887908" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Sleep primarily consists of two different stages, namely [simple_tooltip text="REM (rapid eye movement)" tooltip="A phase during sleep where eyes move rapidly, causing the sleeper...
[mj-toc] Mosquito bites in children are more likely to occur than in adults since children tend to be more active outdoors. Several kinds of mosquitoes exist, but only three, Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes, are responsible for human bites and are clinically significant (1). Female mosquitoes are the only ones that bite since they need blood as a source of iron and protein to nurture their eggs (2). Mosquito bites are generally harmless but can occasionally induce allergic reactions or cause mosquito-borne diseases in children. Read on to know more about mosquito bites, potential allergic reactions, and preventative strategies for kids. Symptoms of Mosquito Bites in Children When a female mosquito punctures the skin to suck blood, it mixes saliva into our bloodstream. The chemicals in the mosquito’s saliva prevent the blood from clotting and cause an immune response that leads to discomfort, including redness, itching, and swelling (3). According to American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) this contact...
A teenage growth spurt is a phase characterized by a sudden increase in the teen’s height, appetite, and fussiness. This phase is marked by rapid changes in the bodies of children. During this period, your teen’s height may grow rapidly for a few months and then slow down for the next few months. This cycle may continue for some years. A growth spurt is not just about physical changes but also hormonal, caused due to puberty. Therefore, a pubertal growth spurt may sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to handle. In such cases, teenagers may need parental support to get through the phase smoothly. This post discusses teenage growth spurt in detail and provides some tips on helping your child manage it efficiently. [mj-toc] At What Age Does Adolescent Growth Spurt Begin? Everyone is different. The occurrence of teenage growth spurt might vary. Some experience it early, while some may have it late. Yet, on average, a major growth spurt during...
Erectile dysfunction in teens is common, and it may often occur due to stress, anxiety, or other factors such as smoking (1). Sexual health is an important aspect of adolescence. But many teenage sexual issues, including [simple_tooltip text="erectile" tooltip="Relating to the capability of the penis or other sexual organs to become erect and function normally." ] dysfunction (ED), are often overlooked by teenage boys. Hence, it is recommended to seek medical care and treat the underlying cause of ED. Read this post to know the causes, symptoms, and treatments of erectile dysfunction in teens. [mj-toc] Can Teenagers Have Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction (ED) in males is defined as the inability to attain or maintain penile erection for satisfactory sex (2). It is an age-related condition, with most cases (>50%) occurring in older men (3). However, it is also observed in teenagers, but not many studies have focused on that age group. A study of 40 males in the age group...
Watery discharge from the eyes can cause eyelids to become sticky. Generally, sticky eyes in infants are associated with the presence of white or yellowish crust along the corners of the eyelids. The condition, though common, may cause irritation, blurry vision, and discomfort to the infant as their eyes seem to be glued shut. Keep reading this post to know what may cause sticky eyes in infants, its symptoms, home remedies, treatment options, and a few preventive measures. [mj-toc] Is It Normal For Babies To Have Sticky Eyes? It is normal for babies to have sticky eyes, which often happens due to excessive tearing. One of the common causes of watery and sticky eyes is a blocked tear duct, which occurs in almost 20% of babies worldwide (1). Most causes of sticky eyes in newborns resolve during infancy. Therefore, do not panic if your baby’s eyes suddenly become watery and sticky. What Are The Symptoms Of Sticky Eyes In Babies?...
Biliary atresia in newborns is congenital. The condition is characterized by a blockage, damage, or abnormality in the bile duct, interfering with several liver functions. In addition, it may lead to other complications, including failure to grow and survive. Read this post to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of biliary atresia in newborns. [mj-toc]What Is Biliary Atresia? Biliary atresia is a condition where the bile duct of the liver is either blocked, damaged, or abnormally formed (1). The bile duct is a tube that starts as many fine ducts within the liver merging to create a common duct, which terminates at the small intestine. The gallbladder (storage pouch for excessive bile) intersects the bile duct in between. The duct carries bile, a greenish liquid made by the liver to help the small intestine digest fats (2). Biliary atresia interferes with the flow of bile causing the fluid to accumulate within the liver, thus leading to liver...
Croup in babies is a respiratory infection that affects the upper airways and causes them to swell. Swollen and irritated airways cause a hoarse voice, noisy breathing (stridor), and barking cough, making croup distinctive from a regular cough. The characteristic cough sound can leave parents perplexed and worried. However, croup is a common infection that usually manifests mild symptoms. Most babies recover with simple home remedies and minimal medical intervention. Read on to know more about the causes of croup in babies, including its common symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and effective prevention measures. [mj-toc]What Is Croup In Babies? Croup is a condition in which the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe) develop acute inflammation. Croup is medically called laryngotracheobronchitis or laryngotracheitis (1). The larynx houses the vocal cords, through which the air passes while breathing. An inflamed larynx constricts the vocal cords, causing the air to pass through a narrow opening. The contraction of the vocal cords causes a noise, makes...
What is UTI? Types of UTI Causes of urinary tract infection Risk factors Symptoms of UTI in children Diagnosis Treatment Home remedies for UTI How to prevent UTI in children? Complications of UTI What are recurrent UTIs in children and how to manage? Is UTI in children contagious? How long do UTIs in children last? The urinary tract comprises the kidneys, ureters and the bladder. They work in unison to remove the waste and extra fluids out of our body in the form of urine. But sometimes, the process may not be smooth due to an infection of the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection or UTI is common in adults but do children get it? How do you know if the child has UTI and what can you do about it? MomJunction tells you all that and more in this post. Keep reading. What is UTI? UTI is the “microbial invasion” of any parts of the urinary system (1). The...