Things you need to know about Children's Vaccination in India

Since its invention in 1798, vaccines have saved humanity from extinction by protecting the masses from serious diseases that were rampant in earlier times. Since 1798, vaccines have come a long way, and today many diseases that were previously known as endemics and epidemics are known as preventable diseases thanks to vaccines.

Vaccines are especially required for pregnant women, babies, and infants; these people remain at a higher risk of diseases/illnesses that can be prevented by taking vaccines. Today, the government, health advisory board of India, and UNICEF all recommend a specific vaccination schedule for children that begin at birth and continue till the child is almost 15 years of age. This vaccination schedule is good for protecting your child against various serious diseases that, in the worst case, can be fatal or cause physical disabilities.

So now that you understand the need for vaccinating your child, let's take a look at the vaccination schedule that you should follow for your child to keep them safe from various diseases.

Vaccination Schedule For Children By Age

• At Birth

Vaccines administered at the birth of the child correspond to vaccines that are given as soon as possible, which is within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. Let's look at what these vaccines are and the diseases they help prevent.

BCG Vaccine

BCG Vaccines help protect children against tuberculosis. A dosage of 0.1ml is administered intra-dermally into the upper left arm of the child within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. This is the first dose or dose 1 of the BCG vaccine.

Hep B Vaccine

The Hep B Vaccine protects children against Hepatitis B. A 0.5ml dose of this vaccine is administered inside the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child. This vaccine is called the birth dose, and it needs to be administered within the first 24 hours of the child's birth.

OP Vaccine

The Oral Polio Vaccine protects the child against Polio. The dose 0 is administered orally to the child within the first 24 hours of their birth or at least within the first 15 days of the child's life. As the vaccine is administered orally, two drops of the vaccine are orally administered.

• 6-8 Weeks After Birth

Rota Virus Vaccine

The RVV protects you against the Rota Virus disease with an oral vaccine that is delivered in three doses at different times. The first dose of 5 drops needs to be delivered within the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.

OP Vaccine

The first dose of the Oral Polio (OP) vaccine is given to children between the age of 6-8 weeks. The dosage for the second dose is five drops, and it is given orally, as the name suggests.

Pentavalent Vaccine

The Pentavalent vaccine protects children from five diseases because this vaccine is a combination of five individual vaccines. It protects the child against Diptheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib, and tetanus. This vaccine is administered as an intramuscular vaccine on the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child with a dosage of 0.5 ml. The first done needs to be delivered between the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.

• 8-14 Weeks After Birth

OP Vaccine

The second and third doses of the Oral Polio vaccine are given to the child within the first 8-14 weeks of their birth with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.

Pentavalent Vaccine

The second and third doses of the pentavalent vaccine need to be given to the child during this time period as well at 10 weeks and 14 weeks, respectively. The dosage remains the same at 0.5 ml per dose.

Rota Virus Vaccine

The second and third dose of the RVV needs to be orally given to the child in this time range as well, with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.

IP Vaccine

The Inactivated Polio Vaccine is another form of polio vaccine that needs to be administered to the child at the age of 14 weeks. This vaccine needs to be administered intramuscularly on the anterolateral side of the right mid-thigh of the child.

• Above The Age Of 14 Weeks Till 1 Year

Measles Vaccine

The measles vaccine protects the child against measles. It needs to be delivered to the child after they have completed 9 months of age and between 12 months of age. In case, the child misses it, they can get this vaccine till 5 years of age as well. This is a subcutaneous vaccine with a dosage of 0.5 ml that needs to be administered in the right upper arm of the child.

Vitamin A Vaccine

The first dose of the vitamin A vaccine is given orally along with the measles vaccine with a dosage of 1ml.

Conclusion

Vaccinating your child/children is one of the most important things that you have to do as a parent to guarantee them a healthy and safe life growing up. If you are interested in learning, you can find more information about the immunisation schedule followed in India from this link here. If you are a new parent in Jodhpur, and you want to get guidance and help on vaccinating your child, be sure to visit Medipulse hospital for the best care and affordable vaccination services in accordance with the government schedule.

10 Signs which indicate it’s high time to see a cardiologist

For proper functioning of a human body, regular supply of blood as well as oxygen is of utmost importance, and for that, heart is the biggest role player in the whole picture. However, one can experience some warning signs which indicate that his/her heart is not functioning to the fullest.

Following are some of the major signs which signal that it’s high time you need to pay a visit to a cardiologist:-

• If you experience chest pain – At the time of heart attack, the first and foremost sign one gets as an early symptom is chest pain, for the fact that the heart lies just behind the chest of a human. There are a number of reasons for the occurrence of chest pain, however, the biggest reason is one when your heart is not getting enough blood for circulation, possibly caused due to a blocked artery or valve.

• If you have high blood pressure – The force with which blood pushes against the wall of artery levels, commonly known as blood pressure, should be optimum for regular flow of both blood as well as oxygen. If the blood pressure rises abruptly, there are chances that the heart might not be able to regulate the pumping action, which might result in heart attack.

• If you have shortness of breath or dizziness – While there are a multiple number of reasons behind dizziness and is a common phenomenon among humans, the lack of breath is not a mainstream thing to happen. If any one of these, either shortness of breath or dizziness, happens in a severe amount, it signals that the optimum amount of oxygen is not circulated by heart, thus finally resulting in abnormal heart beat.

• If you have diabetes – While the major cause of occurrence of diabetes is lack of insulin in your body causing sugar levels in your blood, this particular disease also affects the smooth operation of the heart. If blood sugar levels are not optimum, the functioning of blood vessels is affected, which can lead to coronary artery disease.

• If you are a constant smoker – There is a strong reason behind your daily packet of cigarettes carrying the phrase ‘smoking is injurious to health’. Regular smoking affects the functioning of lungs, which in turns restricts the flow of oxygen in blood. This eventually disturbs the pumping function of blood from your heart, and can gradually become a major reason behind high blood pressure.

• If you have high cholesterol level in your body – The major sources of cholesterol are the foods you consume and residues from your liver. If there is a sudden increase in the levels of cholesterol in one’s body, primarily due to irregular or unhealthy eating habits, it can lead to formation of plaque in arteries, thereby causing blockage and eventually, flow of blood from heart as well.

• If you have chronic kidney disease – After your heart, your kidneys are the major organ sources which can lead to a potential heart failure, since the major root cause of diabetes mentioned above lies in the ill-functioning of kidneys. Improper functioning of kidneys can result in increase in blood pressure and sugar levels, which over the time can lead to heart failure, if not suddenly.

• If you have a family history of heart disease – Genetics do play a major role in a healthy being of a human. If the previous generation members of a person have had a history of a heart disease, primarily who are in their late years of age, there is a strong possibility of transfer of their genes in their successor, i.e. the concerned person.

• If you have peripheral heart disease – Apart from the major disease directly linked to your heart, if you are suffering from other peripheral ailments linked via other arteries, like leg or arm arteries, and are constantly suffering from pains and aches in those linked body parts, chances are that you might be suffering from a coronary artery disease.

• If you have an inactive lifestyle – If you are someone who has been avoiding the words like ‘exercise’ or ‘workout’ in your life, and lead a pretty inactive lifestyle, it can lead to weak functioning of the heart in the longer run. Regular physical activities on a daily basis, including your exercise regime, results in proper and smooth functioning of heart as well as flow of blood.

In all the aforementioned circumstances, if any one particular cause is something you can relate with, proper consultation and advice from a trained cardiologist will serve good results in a longer run to avoid heart related ailments.

Hole In The Heart: Know The Diagnosis and Right Treatment

The heart is the powerhouse of the entire body, pumping blood into every cell of the body. Even the slightest problem in the heart can lead to significant repercussions resonating throughout the body. But what if a person is born with a defect in their heart, like a hole in the heart?

A Septal defect is a congenital condition, present in the person at the time of his birth. A hole in the heart is known to impede the natural working of a human heart by altering the blood flow inside the heart. How does it function and what treatments are available for filling up the hole? Here is an article that addresses the congenital condition of septal defects or hole in the heart.

The Heart and The Hole

A human heart has two chambers where the right chamber receives oxygen-deficient blood, which is then transferred to the lungs. The lungs transport oxygen-rich to the left chamber, which then sends it out to the rest of the body. The wall that divides these two chambers is called the septum, which prevents the mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart.

The chambers are then further divided into two parts each, where the upper one is called the atrium, and the lower one is called ventricle. This information is essential to understand the complications a hole in the heart can create.

 A small number of babies are born with a hole in the septum wall of their heart which allows the mixing of oxygen-poor and oxygen rich blood, sending oxygen-rich blood to the lungs, and oxygen-deficient blood to the body. As a result, children, and sometimes adults can develop dangerous conditions like shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in legs, feet, and abdomen, skipped beats, and stroke.

 When this hole happens in the upper septum wall, it is called an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), while when the hole is present in the lower septum wall, it is called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).

 Symptoms of a Hole in the Heart

In several cases of an Atrial Septal Defect, the symptoms are either not very evident or are physically absent. However, when they do occur, a heart 'murmur' is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include:

●       Fatigue

●       Short Breath

●       Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen

●       A buildup of blood and fluid in the lungs, feet, ankles, and legs.

For Ventricular Septal Defect, a murmur is the only symptom of a hole in the heart.

 Diagnosis of Septal Defect

Symptoms, as mentioned above, are definite signs that there is something wrong with a person's heart. In many cases of ASD, the symptoms do not show up until the age of 30 as well. This delays the diagnosis process in most cases. In cases of a VSD, the heartbeat has a distinct murmur that is heard through the stethoscope but does not happen until the baby turns at least 6 to 8 weeks old. Here is how doctors diagnose a hole in the heart.

●       Echocardiography: A painless device that uses soundwaves to create an image of the heart.

●       EKG: A device that records the heart’s electrical activity.

●       Chest X-Ray: X-rays take pictures of the inside of a person’s body, revealing any kind of discrepancy.

●       Pulse Oximetry: It is a device that calculates the amount of oxygen in the blood.

●       Cardiac Catheterization: A small flexible tube is inserted into the veins through an arm, groin, or neck, and is then threaded to the heart. A dye is then added to the blood flow, which is monitored by the doctors for any abnormal flow.

 Treating the Hole in The Heart

Most of the septal defects do not actually require treatment as they heal on their own in childhood or well into adulthood. However, medium-sized and large holes do require treatment as they can be the cause of heart failure and other cardiac conditions. There are two kinds of treatments available:

Open Heart Surgery: The cardiologist opens up the chest cavity and repairs the cavity with a special patch. The child is kept on a heart and lung bypass surgery during the operation to allow cutting into their heart. The patient is discharged 3 to 4 days after the surgery.

Catheter Procedure: A catheter is entered through a vein in the groin and threaded up to the heart. Inside the catheter is an umbrella-like device which is placed onto the hole to block it up. The tissues grow over the device within 6 months, with no need to remove it as the child grows.

These procedures have a high rate of success and ensure that a child goes on to live a happy, active, and comfortable life. As far as the cause is concerned, doctors are not really sure what causes congenital heart defects. However, if there is any question that you need, then visit the best Dr. Himanshu Tyagi overlooking the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Medipulse Hospital, Jodhpur.

Common Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) is one of the most common birth anomalies in newborns. As per an estimate, every year, nearly 200,000 children are born with congenital heart disease in India. However, not all CHD are life-threatening, and with timely diagnosis and care, parents can ensure a healthy and normal life for their children.

Congenital heart diseases are primarily classified into two types i.e., Cyanotic and Acyanotic CHD. In Cyanotic CHD, the heart starts circulating oxygen-deficient blood to other parts of the body. Lower than normal oxygen levels in the blood turn the skin bluish or purplish. Contrary to this, Acyanotic CHD blocks blood flow from the left side to the right side of the heart. In the worst of cases, acyanotic CHD can damage atrial or ventricular walls, heart valves, or large blood vessels.

CHD symptoms may appear soon after birth or during the later stages of childhood. Though not all cases are life-threatening, CHD can lead to major complications in the heart walls, valves, and blood vessels during later stages of life. With timely diagnosis and effective lifestyle changes, children with CHD can easily lead a healthy normal life. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in timely CHD treatment and care. In this blog, we share some common symptoms of congenital heart defects in infants, children, and adults.

Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms

 They are no particular symptoms for heart-related problems from birth. In fact, at times, individuals find out about their heart-related anomalies much later during adulthood. Heart care specialists suggest that shortness of breath or fatigue during physical activity without any specific reason can be signs of congenital heart diseases. Usually, doctors suggest diagnosis like chest X-ray or ECG to confirm CHD. Other than sudden fatigue and breathlessness, few other symptoms can indicate heart anomalies in newborns and children. These include:

●       Trouble in breathing.

●       Loss of appetite or difficulty in feeding.

●       The bluish or pale gray color of lips, skin, fingers, and toes.

●       Lower than normal weight during birth or infancy.

●       Complaints of chest pain.

●       Slower or delayed growth.

In any of the above cases, parents must proactively consult a doctor as early diagnosis of CHD is essential for ensuring fewer complications in the long term. Further, for adults who are carrying congenital heart diseases, the following symptoms necessitate an immediate visit to the doctor.

●       Sudden abnormal heartbeats coupled difficulty in breathing.

●       Feeling dizzy or unsteady without any good reason.

●       Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema).

A Few Words For Parents

It is normal to be disheartened to find out that your child has congenital heart disease, but as a parent, you should know that proper care and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce CHD related complications. In critical cases, surgery has proved effective in ensuring a healthy and normal heartbeat for children with CHD. Medipulse has conducted several pediatric cardiac surgeries and intervention procedures with near 100% success rate. The department is led by highly renowned and reputed pediatric cardiologist Dr. Himanshu, along with other team of experts. Together with their expertise, they have helped children and adults with CHD live a happy and healthy life.