EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Jan 28: Intense cold has increased the risk of Hypothermia in Children, especially in the newly born babies in Jammu Kashmir where temperature has registered a steep decline.
SMGS, the only Child Maternity Hospital in Jammu is receiving regular cases of Hypothermia in children, especially in new born babies from peripheral areas of the Jammu.
Dr. Rekha Harish, Head of the Department (HoD) of pediatrics informed, "These days we are regularly getting cases of Hypothermia in children, It is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions."
"It happens in the intense cold, due to carelessness of the parents and especially to the low birth weight babies. We always suggest the parents to take care of their children, especially the new born babies in winter. We also recommend breast feeding", she added.
On precautions to be taken in severe cold, she said that the mother should feed her child with her own milk, cover the child with triple layer clothing along with cap and socks, should give kangaroo mother care (Skin to skin contact) to the child and regularly check child's hands and feet. "If feet are cold, the parents should immediately check the stomach and rush the baby to hospital", she advised.
She said the low birth weight (less then 2.5kg at the time of birth ) babies requires extra attention in this low temperature, because they have less brown fat in their body, which cannot bear the low temperature.
Apart from the Hypothermia, the pediatrics department has also noticed an increase in the cases of respiratory problems, Viral Infection, Pneumonia, frostbite etc.
Dr Harish further advised to wear sufficient woolen cloth to children and make their room temperature cozy with heater, but don't burn coal or wood to heat your room, it can harm the more then the cold disease. |
