Dr Joseph Mizzi

Eczema is a common chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, dryness and intense itching. Children with eczema are often uncomfortable and irritable, particularly at night, because their skin becomes very dry and itchy. Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, we know that it is more common in children with a family history of allergic conditions such as eczema, hay fever or asthma. Eczema may begin during the first few months of life and affects approximately one in five children under the age of three. In most cases, the diagnosis is made simply by examining the child. Special tests are usually unnecessary unless there is a suspicion of a food allergy. Eczema can affect the face, the folds behind the knees, the front of the elbows, the hands, and many other parts of the body. The condition typically follows a fluctuating course. There are periods when the skin becomes inflamed and itchy (flare-up), followed by periods when it settles down (remission). These flar...

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...

Colds are common. Children can catch as many as ten colds every year. The symptoms of a cold include throat irritation, sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose. Nasal discharge is watery at first, but may become thick yellow or green later on. The child may also have a cough, headache, mild fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. Cold symptoms clear up within a few days, though it is not uncommon for cough to persist for about two weeks. Helping your child Colds and most respiratory infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are not helpful since these medicines are only effective against bacteria. Antibiotics do not help children with colds to heal faster, and indeed they may cause unnecessary side-effects and increase the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used to alleviate pain and to control fever. The best way to take the child’s temperature is by using a digital thermometer held in the armpit. Do not use a ‘forehead’ thermometer as ...

1. Increase monounsaturated lipids (add fresh olive oil to salads and food, avocado, seeds and a small handful of unsalted nuts like almonds and walnuts). 2. Strictly limit saturated fats (red meat, whole milk/products, palm oil, coconut oil, chocolates, etc) and trans-fats (partially hydrogenated oils – check ‘ingredients’). In practice, use skimmed milk, and low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken (remove skin), turkey, fish and rabbit. Use red-meat infrequently and trim off fat. Eat grilled, boiled, stew, baked food, not fried. 3. Increase Omega 3 (Fish - salmon, tuna, and mackerel. Include fish at least twice weekly.). 4. Increase soluble fiber (oatibix, oats porridge, all bran, cruchy bran and other high-fiber cereals, fruits, vegetables and legumes – peas, beans, chickpeas, barley and lentils). 5. Red wine in moderation (one or two glasses per week). 6. Subsititute refined grains with wholegrains (wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, barley, quinoa). 7. ...

Thankfully most accidents and injuries in children are minor and uneventful. However there are a few situations which are really a matter of life and death. These include suffocation and heart arrest following drowning, trauma or electrocution. If the heart or breathing stops for any length of time, irreversible damage will immediately start to take place in all the cells of the body, especially the brain cells which are especially sensitive to lack of oxygen. Death occurs after a few minutes unless the circulation is restored. That is why immediate intervention is so crucial in such situations. A child may choke on pieces of food, such as nuts, and small toys. Usually the child coughs up the obstructing object and all will be well without the need of any special intervention. But if the child stops coughing and loses consciousness, the parent may be able to clear the obstruction by a technique that involves back blows and chest thrusts (in infants) or abdominal thrusts (in olde...

In childhood obesity, parents hold the key to success. Parents cannot afford to wait for the government, health department or school authorities to take action. If they do, well and good, but the parents must take the responsibility for the children's well-being in their hands. Parents do not help by criticizing their children or preaching to them. They help when they themselves adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, and get the children onboard with them. It involves commitment and perseverance (as well as the joy of spending more quality time as a family). But it's definitely worth the effort. A healthy lifestyle is the best investment in the well-being and happiness of our children.

10 - the % of overweight/obese children worldwide 20 - the % of overweight/obese children in Europe 40 - the % of overweight/obese children in Malta. 50 - the % chance that a child will be obese if one of his parents is obese. 80 - the % chance that a child will be obese if both parents are obese 90 - the % risk that an obese teenager will continue to be obese in adulthood 7 - the number of years lost in life expectancy

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) often result in multiple prenancy (twins, triplets and quadruplets). Multiple pregnancy often ends in preterm delivery and low birth weight (LBW). Rate of Premature delivery/LBW Twins  50% Triplets  90% Mortality and morbidity 25 weeks – 50% mortality; 25% severe disability. 30 weeks – 10% mortality. Perinatal death risk (compared to singleton) Twins  4 Triplets  7 Cerebral palsy (compared to singleton) Twins  5 Triplets  18 The UK Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) restricted the number of embryos that can be transferred in IVF to a maximum of two (with some exceptions). There are no regulations in Malta. Before embarking on IVF, couples should be counselled about the higher risk of death and neuorological problems in these circumstances. Moreover, IVF in Malta should be regulated by legislation to restrict the number of embry...

Not all carbs are created equal. Nor are all fats of the same nutritional value. To be sure if eaten in excess all carbs and fats/oils are fattening. But given that they are taken in moderate amounts - and we should include both carbs and lipids as part of a balanced diet - it is better to eat low GI foods, and to choose oils rather than fats of animal origin. Why? Low GI foods are digested and absorbed more slowly and thus they do not cause a marked spike in the blood glucose and insulin levels. Low GI carbs promote a more moderate rise in blood glucose level which is sustained over a longer period of time. This helps to keep us full for a more prolonged period of time. Oils, especially  olive oil, actually improve the blood cholesterol numbers, whereas fats (and especially animal fats and the artificial trans-fats) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Random Practical Hints All Bran (low GI) instead of other cereals, or at least add a tablespo...

Il-Meningite fit-Tfal  (artiklu bil-malti). Introduction Check if a rash fades on pressure by applying a transparent glass. Meningitis is a rare but serious disease. There are about ten reported cases every year in Maltese children. Every effort should be made to protect our children from meningitis because it can result in permanent neurological problems, such as hearing loss and seizures, and even death in about 5% of cases. There are two lines of defence; firstly, children can be protected by immunisation; secondly, parents should learn how to recognize the signs of meningitis so that the ill child is brought immediately to medical attention. Early treatment results in a better outcome, usually with full recovery. Causes Meningitis can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Viral meningitis is common, but it is usually not serious, and no vaccines are available. Bacterial meningitis is less common, but it is a more serious infection. There are three bacteria t...