Dr Joseph Mizzi

Iż-żmien sabiħ tas-sajf iġib miegħu problemi u perikli għat-tfal, speċjalment ix-xemx u l-baħar. Dawn huma ftit ħsibijiet kif nipproteġu 'l uliedna. L-Għawm Sfortunatament f’Malta seħħew diversi inċidenti fejn għerqu tfal fil-baħar u fil-pools. Għandna noqgħodu attenti biex nevitaw traċedji bħal dawn. Meta jkunu ħdejn il-baħar jew pool jew qed jgħumu, it-tfal għandhom ikunu taħt superviżjoni kontinwa tal-ġenituri jew ta’ xi ħadd adult responsabbli. Iridu jkunu taħt għajnejk u fil-qrib biżżejjed biex f’każ ta’ diffikultà tkun tista’ tgħinhom fil-pront. Libbishom trainers sakemm għadhom ma jafux jgħumu sew. Tgħallem kif tagħti l-ewwel għajnuna (CPR). F’Malta jsiru korsijiet qosra ta’ First Aid. Jekk tingħata fil-ħin, l-ewwel għajnuna tista’ tagħmel differenza bejn ħajja u mewt. Għallem it-tfal jgħumu minn kmieni. Għallem tfal akbar biex ma jaqbżux għal rashom jekk ma jafux kemm hu fond il-baħar (kien hemm tfal li kissru x-xewka ta’ daharhom, baqgħu paralizzati jew mietu għax ħabtu...

What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is a lifelong condition of the small bowel caused by a reaction to gluten. It is an "auto-immune" disorder because the immune system damages its own body. Gluten is the name of a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. How does gluten affect the bowel? Gluten triggers the immune system to produce antibodies that attack the delicate lining of the bowel, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. The damaged bowel is unable to absorb the nutrients, resulting in malnutrition. Who is at risk? Coeliac disease can be diagnosed at any age. It may first be diagnosed in babies after weaning, when cereals are first introduced into the diet, or later on in childhood and adulthood. The condition affects up to 1 in 300 people in Europe. Coeliac disease runs in families. An individual has a 10% risk of developing the condition if a parent or sibling suffers from coeliac. What are the symptoms? Symptoms do not appear unti...

Pulse oximetry is a simple, non-invasive method used to monitor oxygenation by estimating the percentage of oxygen-saturated haemoglobin (SpO₂) in arterial blood. Principles and Physiology Oximeters operate using the principles of spectrophotometry. They measure the differential absorption of red (660 nm) and infrared (940 nm) light by oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin. During systole, pulsatile blood flow causes changes in light absorption that are detected by photodetectors on the opposite side of the emitter. The probe is typically placed on fingertips, toes, or earlobes, using either wrap-around or clip-style designs. Interpreting Oxygen Saturation A normal SpO₂ is ≥95% in healthy individuals. The oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve is relatively flat at high saturations, but drops steeply below 90%, indicating a sharp fall in PaO₂ and thus a greater risk of tissue hypoxia. Clinical action is usually recommended when SpO₂ falls below 92% in room air, particularly in acute respi...

Il-ġenituri u n-nanniet jinkwetaw iżżejjed għax jippretendu li t-tfal għandhom jieklu aktar. Wara li jagħlqu sena, ħafna tfal inaqqsu mill-ikel għax ma jibqgħux jikbru daqs qabel— tarbija ta’ tmien xhur iżżid kilo f’xahrejn, filwaqt li toddler iżid kilo f’sitt xhur. It-tfal żgħar għandhom aptit żgħir għax m’għandhomx bżonn ħafna ikel; it-toddlers jippreferu jiġru u jilgħabu l-ġurnata kollha minflok jieklu. Barra minn hekk, hawn tfal li jgħaddu bi ftit ikel, u dan ikun biżżejjed għalihom. Jagħmlu ħażin il-ġenituri li jqabblu t-tifel tagħhom ma’ tfal oħra, għax it-tfal mhumiex kollha l-istess. It-toddlers m’għandhomx bżonn ikel speċjali, lanqas għandhom jibqgħu jingħataw ikel magħsur jew purè—huwa biżżejjed li l-ikel ikun imqatta f’biċċiet żgħar, f’ammont żgħir u preżentat b’mod interessanti. It-toddlers jieħdu gost imissu u jilgħabu bl-ikel; importanti li nħalluhom, avolju jiddelku, jħammġu ħwejjiġhom u madwarhom! B’hekk jitgħallmu jieklu weħidhom u jiggostaw l-ikel tagħhom. It-...

Definition Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic state characterized by hyperglycaemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis, resulting from insulin deficiency and excess counter-regulatory hormones, particularly glucagon. This hormonal imbalance promotes gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and lipolysis, leading to the formation of ketone bodies. Pathophysiology Hyperglycaemia induces osmotic diuresis, leading to significant loss of free water and electrolytes (including sodium, potassium, and phosphate). Resulting hypovolaemia contributes to tissue hypoperfusion and can precipitate lactic acidosis. Mortality is most commonly associated with cerebral oedema, severe hypokalaemia, and aspiration pneumonia. Causes New diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) Infection (most common precipitant) Poor adherence to insulin therapy or missed doses Clinical Presentation Symptoms (often insidious, especially in young children): Polydipsia Polyuria Weight loss Nausea and vomit...

  Definition of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) in Children Acute gastroenteritis is defined as a decrease in stool consistency (loose or liquid) and/or an increase in the frequency of evacuations (typically more than three in 24 hours), with or without associated fever and vomiting. Diarrhoea usually lasts less than 7 days and not more than 14 days. Epidemiology Viral agents are the most common cause of AGE in children, especially rotavirus, for which an oral vaccine is available and given in two doses during the first 6 months of life. Other viral causes include adenovirus, norovirus, and astrovirus. Viral infections often present with vomiting and upper respiratory symptoms. Bacterial agents such as Campylobacter and Salmonella are less common but more likely to cause severe symptoms. Indicators of bacterial gastroenteritis include high fever, bloody stools, abdominal pain, and signs of systemic involvement (e.g. irritability, lethargy, seizures). Incidence: 0.5–2 episodes per child...

The Peak Flow Metre is a handheld device used to measure peak expiratory flow (PEF) – the maximum speed of expiration. Reflects the degree of airway obstruction. The reading reflects the degree of airway obstruction. Infants and young children (till 6 years) are not able to use the peak flow meter. Uses Diagnosis – diurnal variability > 20%, improvement of PEFR after bronchodilator or stereoids. Also useful as an assessment of response to treatment. Monitoring – as part of an individual management plan that includes education and symptom recognition (asthma symptoms during the day, interference with sleep, activities e.g. sports). There should be little variation in the reading from day to day, or morning/evening when asthma is well-controlled. Acute exacerbation – less than 50% best/predicted in severe attack; less than 33% in life-threatening attack or unable to perform measurement.  Method Attach mouthpiece. Set the meter to zero. Stands up or sit upright. Hold the meter...