Department of Pediatrics

Services Provided

The Department of Pediatrics at SMCRI Hospital offers a wide range of medical services for the management of common and complex childhood illnesses, as well as preventive healthcare.

General Pediatric Care:

• Routine Pediatric Consultations: Comprehensive health check-ups, immunizations, growth monitoring, and developmental assessments for children from birth to adolescence.
• Growth and Developmental Monitoring: Regular screening and management of growth milestones, including height, weight, motor, and cognitive skills.
• Vaccination Services: Ensuring timely administration of vaccines as per the immunization schedule to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Nutritional Counseling: Guidance on infant and child nutrition, including breastfeeding support, complementary feeding, and addressing dietary concerns.

Neonatology Services:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Specialized care for premature infants, low birth weight babies, and critically ill newborns. Our NICU is equipped with advanced technology for respiratory support, phototherapy, and monitoring.
• Newborn Screening: Early detection of congenital conditions such as metabolic disorders, congenital heart disease, and hearing loss through screening tests.
• Birth Asphyxia Management: Treatment and support for neonates who experience difficulties at birth, including resuscitation and respiratory support.

Pediatric Emergency Care:

• 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Services: Round-the-clock emergency care for children suffering from trauma, infections, poisoning, or acute illnesses.
• Acute Illness Management: Rapid assessment and management of conditions like fever, respiratory distress, dehydration, and gastrointestinal disorders.
• Trauma and Injury Care: Immediate care for children who have experienced accidents, fractures, burns, or other injuries, including management of fractures and wound care.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases:

• Infection Management: Diagnosis and treatment of common childhood infections, such as respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), gastrointestinal infections (gastroenteritis), and viral infections (measles, chickenpox).
• Antibiotic Stewardship: Ensuring the judicious use of antibiotics to combat bacterial infections while preventing antimicrobial resistance.

Pediatric Gastroenterology:

• Chronic Diarrhea and Malnutrition: Treatment and management of conditions leading to malnutrition and dehydration, such as chronic diarrhea, celiac disease, and food allergies.
• Liver Disorders: Diagnosis and management of pediatric liver diseases, including jaundice, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Pediatric Neurology:

• Epilepsy and Seizures: Diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders, including epilepsy, and management of related neurological conditions.
• Developmental Delay: Early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays, including motor and cognitive impairments.
• Headaches and Migraines: Diagnosis and management of chronic headaches and migraines in children.

Pediatric Cardiology:

• Congenital Heart Diseases: Diagnosis and management of congenital heart defects in children, including early screening and intervention.
• Rheumatic Heart Disease: Detection and management of heart valve disease in children due to rheumatic fever.

Pediatric Endocrinology:

• Diabetes Management: Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diabetes, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, with a focus on insulin therapy and lifestyle modification.
• Thyroid Disorders: Management of pediatric thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and congenital thyroid anomalies.
• Growth Hormone Disorders: Diagnosis and treatment of children with growth retardation or disorders related to the pituitary gland.

Pediatric Hematology:

• Anemia: Diagnosis and treatment of various forms of anemia, including iron-deficiency anemia and sickle cell disease.
• Blood Disorders: Management of blood disorders such as hemophilia, thalassemia, and leukemia in children.

Pediatric Pulmonology:

• Asthma: Comprehensive care for children with asthma, including medication management, inhaler technique education, and asthma action plans.
• Bronchitis and Pneumonia: Diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions, including bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and other upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

Adolescent Medicine:

• Puberty and Growth Concerns: Addressing physical and emotional issues related to puberty, including early or late puberty, hormone imbalances, and growth concerns.
• Mental Health: Management of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in adolescents, with an emphasis on early intervention and counseling.

Pediatric Surgery (Collaboration with Surgery Department):

• Surgical Care: Surgical interventions for children with congenital malformations, hernias, tumors, and other conditions requiring surgical treatment.
• Urological Surgeries: Treatment of congenital and acquired urological conditions in children, including hypospadias and undescended testes.

Academic and Clinical Training

The Department of Pediatrics at SMCRI plays a crucial role in the education and training of medical students and residents. Our clinical training programs provide hands-on experience in pediatric care, allowing students to gain proficiency in diagnosing and treating common and complex pediatric conditions.

• Clinical Rotations: Medical students undergo rotations in pediatrics, gaining exposure to routine pediatric care, emergency pediatric cases, and specialized services such as neonatology and pediatric cardiology.
• Postgraduate Training: We offer MD/MS Pediatric programs, where residents gain in-depth knowledge and skills in pediatric medicine, with hands-on experience in both clinical care and research.
• Seminars and Workshops: Regular educational seminars, case discussions, and interactive workshops are organized to encourage continuous learning and keep the faculty and students updated with the latest advancements in pediatrics.

Research and Innovation

The Department of Pediatrics is committed to advancing the field of pediatric healthcare through research in child health, disease prevention, and treatment innovations. Research areas include:

• Childhood Vaccination: Studies related to improving vaccination strategies and coverage.
• Neonatal Care: Research aimed at improving outcomes for premature and critically ill newborns.
• Chronic Pediatric Conditions: Investigating management strategies for chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and obesity in children.
• Nutritional Interventions: Research into nutrition-based interventions to combat childhood malnutrition, obesity, and growth retardation.