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Children's Health

Parenthood makes a couple proud and happy but looking after a child from birth to adulthood is a major responsibility . A child up to the age of 5 is delicate and requires a lot of care and it is advisable to visit a paediatrician every month for regular check-ups. The paediatrician ensures the child is healthy by providing appropriate treatment and monitors the height and weight of the baby.

It is important to compare the development of the child with the average growth of a typical Indian Child. In case the child’s growth is outside the normal range (which is about ± 10% of the average value), the paediatrician can recommend a change in diet or even medication if necessary.

Average height and weight of boys at different ages
AGE Boy’s Weight (kg) Boy’s Height (cm) Girl’s Weight (Kg) Girl’s Height (cm)
Birth 3.3 50.5 3.2 49.9
3 months 6.0 61.1 5.4 60.2
6 months 7.8 67.8 7.2 66.6
9 months 9.2 72.3 8.6 71.1
1 year 10.2 76.1 9.5 75.0
2 years 12.3 85.6 11.8 84.5
3 years 14.6 94.9 14.1 93.9
4 years 16.7 102.9 16.0 101.6
5 years 18.7 109.9 17.7 108.4
6 years 20.7 116.1 19.5 114.6
7 years 22.9 121.7 21.8 120.6
8 years 25.3 127.0 24.8 126.4
9 years 28.1 132.2 28.5 132.2
10 years 31.4 137.5 32.5 138.3
11 years 32.2 140.0 33.7 142.0
12 years 37.0 147.0 38.7 148.0
13 years 40.9 153.0 44.0 150.0
14 years 47.0 160.0 48.0 155.0
15 years 52.6 166.0 51.5 161.0
16 years 58.0 171.0 53.0 162.0
17 years 62.7 175.0 54.0 163.0
18 years 65.0 177.0 54.4 164.0

(Source: Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians, I.C.M.R. 1990.)

The Infant Mortality Rate is very high in India. From one month to five years of age, the main illnesses to watch out for are Jaundice, Pneumonia, Diarrhoea, Malaria & Measles. Over 90% of children with HIV are infected through mother-to-child transmission; this can be prevented with anti-retrovirals, as well as safer delivery and feeding practices.The Indian Medical Association has given a list of Immunization Program to protect a child from dreadful diseases.

Sl No.  Age  Disease  Vaccination  Remarks 
1 AT BIRTH  HEPATITIS B  HEP B VACCINE -I 

 
2 AT BIRTH  POLIO  ORAL PV 0 DOSE 

 
3 BIRTH TO 6 WK  TUBERCULOSIS  BCG 

 
4 4 -6 WEEKS  HEPATITIS B  HEP B VACCINE -II 

 
5 6 WEEKS  DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS POLIO  DPT-I OPV -I 

 
6 10 WK  DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS POLIO HEPATITIS B  DPT-II OPV-II HEP B VACCINE III*  *DELHI GOVT RECOMMENDATION 
7 14 WEEKS  DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS POLIO  DPT-III OPV- III HEP B VACCINE IV*  *DELHI GOVT RECOMMENDATION 
8 24 WEEKS  HEPATITIS B  HEP B VACCINE III*  *IAP RECOMMENDATION 
9 9 -12MTHS  POLIO MEASLES  OPV-IV MEASLES 

 
10 15-18 MTHS  MUMPS MEASELES RUBELLA  MMR* 

 
11 18 MTHS  DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS POLIO  DPT –BOOSTER I OPV –V  *RECOMMENDED BY DELHI GOVT & IAP ONLY 
12 24 MTHS  TYPHOID  TYPHOID*  *IAP RECOMMENDATION 
13 4-5 YR  DIPHTHERIA PERTUSIS TETANUS POLIO  DPT BOOSTER – II OPV -VI 

Vaccines are available to protect children from Chicken Pox (Varicella Virus), Meningitis (Meningococcal), Swine-Flu (HINI), Jaundice (Hepatitis A). Physician’s advice is required to administer these vaccines depending up on child’s age.

 

 

Health risks to newborns are minimized by
  • Quality care during pregnancy;
  • Safe delivery by a skilled birth attendant
  • Strong neonatal care: Immediate attention to breathing and warmth, hygienic cord and skin care, and early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding.
Caring for a growing child
  • A Child's health includes physical, mental and social well-being
  • Nutrition and fitness are the cornerstones of children's health
  • Basics of keeping children healthy, include offering them healthy & nutritious foods, making sure they get enough sleep and exercise and ensuring their safety. Healthy food choices now sets the stage for a lifelong healthy diet
  • Keeping the child in a safe & clean environment
Other than checkups, school-age children should be monitored for the following:
  • Significant weight gain or loss
  • Sleep problems or change in behaviour
  • Fever higher than 102
  • Rashes or skin infections
  • Frequent sore throats
  • Breathing problems
Medicines for children
  • The ideal children's medicine is one that suits the age, physiological condition and body weight of the child taking them and is available in a flexible liquid or solid oral dosage. Solid tablet/capsule can be taken whole, dissolved in a variety of liquids, or sprinkled on foods, making it easier for children to take.