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BODY&MIND
Novel way of feeding mentally challenged newborn
Tripti Nath
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has overtaken other hospitals in the country in performing Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) on a newborn.
Four months after Dr Neelam Mohan, Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Endoscopist, took up the challenge of trying the procedure on a newborn for the first time, she has reason to compliment herself for her bold decision. The successful procedure has enabled the young Delhi based parents cope with the difficulty of feeding the child. A team of neonatologists and technicians assisted Dr Mohan in the 15-minute procedure. The child was under medication in the pediatric ICU for a month before being moved to the ward. He was discharged six weeks after the procedure because of other problems related to birth asphyxia. Recalling the trauma of the young couple at the time of the birth of their firstborn, Dr Mohan said, “The child weighing 2.4 kg was born premature and had a cleft palate. Due to birth asphyxia, his reflexes were poor. Besides, the cleft palate impeded proper feeding. The child was mentally sub normal and could not suck properly. He also had difficulty in breathing. Since children with cleft palate can not be operated upon till they are nine- month-old, we could not opt for a surgery. For three weeks, the child was on intravenous fluids. Having successfully carried out Percutaneous Gastrostomy on nine older children, I decided to proceed with the procedure, which involves creating a hole in the stomach wall and placing a tube with the help of an endoscope. The open end of the tube is outside the stomach. The procedure was done without any anaesthesia and the child had no stitches on his body.” She says that the child can be breast fed once his neurological condition improves. “It is only then that he will be able to establish sucking. The child has been coming for periodic check ups and his condition is improving gradually. His progress is being monitored by neonatologists, Dr Neelam Kler, Dr S. Saluja, pediatric pulmonogists, Dr K. Chugh and Dr K. Sachdev, and doctors from the developmental team”. Orientation programme for women:
Rehabilitation Council of India(RCI) recently conducted a one-day orientation programme at Gram Niyojan Kendra, Ghaziabad, to sensitise women Self Help Group leaders about various aspects of disability including nature and magnitude of the problem, cause and consequences, eraky identification and rehabilitation of the disabled and the role of the community, especially women in preventing disability. The trained SHG leaders will promote voluntary action in remote parts of Uttar Pradesh. RCI chairman Major H.P.S Ahluwalai says, “Women Self Help Groups are very strong and close to the women community in rural areas. The orientation of their leaders will go a long way in initiating women action for the disabled in those areas.” The main objective of the programme is to encourage multi-dimensional community action in relating to the problems of the disabled. This effort is part of the council’s strategy to promote volunteerism in the disability sector. RCI was set up by the government by an Act of Parliament in 1992 to develop, standardise and regulate all training policies and programmes in the field of rehabilitation and special education across the country. Education in hand hygiene:
Dettol has thought of a novel way to educate the public about the importance of hand hygiene. It has tied up with PVR cineplexes in Saket and Vikapspuri to provide Dettol liquid soap to cine goers. Dettol Skincare-the Dettol liquid soap variant with moisturisers, a mild fragrance and a light formulation- can now be spotted in all toilets at the two cineplexes. The effort is aimed at creating awareness about the advantages of washing hands frequently.Doctors and healthcare professionals opine that hands are the primary source for the spread of infection. It is through our hands that we unknowingly collect, transfer and transmit invisible and infection causing germs to everything and everyone we come in contact with. Dettol liquid soap was launched in 1994 to address consumers need for convenient hand hygiene.
Dr C.J.Thakkar operating a surgical navigation system for
hip and knee replacement. |
Hi tech joint replacement surgery:
Computer guided knee and hip replacement surgeries are now possible in India with the launch of India’s first computer assisted joint replacement centre in Mumbai. The technology has been brought to India by Dr C.J. Thakkar, a senior orthopaedic surgeon. Joint replacement surgery is an exercise in mechanical engineering. The surgeon measures the angle to which the leg is deformed, besides the dimensions of diseased or damaged bones. He also assesses the tightness of ligaments and then plans the operation. Computer assisted knee and hip replacement surgery eliminates chances of human error. The surgeon is now guided by the computer at every step during the surgery. The computer navigates the path of instruments in such a way that the part is fitted in the most optimum position. It also helps in adjusting the ligament tension. Explaining the technical aspects of the machine, Dr Thakkar said that the system is also called a navigator as it not only guides the steps of surgery but also warns the surgeon of error at each step during the surgery. The technology uses infra red rays. The advantages of computer guided surgery are increased implant longevity, three dimensional surgery planning, absence of radiation during surgery, constant guidance, monitoring and confirmation during surgery, range of motion analysis, minimally invasive surgery, correct implant selection and placement, less complications during surgery and decreased hospital stay. Sen Inter-College Debate:
Surabhi Batra and Rashmi Bahadur from Maulana Azad Medical College were adjudged the best and second best speakers respectively in Dr S. K. Sen Inter-College Debate competition, organised by the Delhi Medical Association on the eve of DMA Founder’s Day (August 15). The participants presented their views on the controversial issue of allowing or disallowing medical students to appear in civil services examination. Students from five medical colleges of Delhi, including University College of Medical Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Maulana Azad Medical College, Lady Hardinge, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjang Medical College participated in the competition. In a parallel essay competition open to 10,000 members of DMA, Dr Vikas Dhikav from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Navneet Kumar, an anaesthetist practising in Rajouri Garden won the first and second prizes respectively. Dr A.K. Walia, Health Minister of Delhi and Mr Haroon Yusuf, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, gave away the prizes to the winners. Principals honoured:
DMA honoured principals of three medical colleges, including Dr O.P.Tandon, University college Medical Sciences, Dr B.K. Dham, principal of Maulana Azad Medical College and Dr G.K. Sharma of Lady Hardinge College. 
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