How Argentines live through tango
Through good times and bad, the Argentines find strength in dancing the tango, explains Candace Piette.
HOUSTON -- (August 20, 2009) -- A new grant to renovate the pediatric ward at Kamuzu Central Hospital is helping the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative and the Malawi Ministry of Health improve health services for all children seeking care at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Malawi.
The rehabilitation of the ward follows the opening of the Baylor Clinical Center of Excellence at Kamuzu, which provides state-of-the-art care for children with HIV.
Both of these programs are supported by the Abbott Fund, the philanthropic foundation of Abbott, the global health care company.
Kamuzu Central Hospital is the primary referral center for the central region of Malawi, which is estimated to have a population of 2.5 million children.
Currently, the hospital's pediatric ward has 215 beds and admits an average of 859 children a month, or 28 children a day, limiting the capacity of children the hospital can serve.
There are an estimated 88,000 children infected with HIV/AIDS in Malawi and 850,000 orphaned by the disease.
"The modernization of the Kamuzu pediatric ward is another step in the Abbott Fund's commitment to enhancing access to health care throughout the world," said Catherine Babington, president of the Abbott Fund. "It will add critical and sustainable hospital capacity in Malawi, and provide higher quality care for pediatric patients."
The Abbott Fund is providing $1.5 million to support this new effort.
Major goals of the rehabilitation include the reduction of patient crowding and transmission of diarrheal and respiratory illnesses, improvement of access to health care providers for patients, better resource allocation and creation of more space for efficient emergency services.
Construction began in early August 2009 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of December 2009.
"Malawi has one of the highest childhood mortality rates in children under age 5 in the world," said Mike Mizwa, senior vice president and chief operating officer of BIPAI. "This excessive mortality can be attributed to both the direct effects of HIV/AIDS as well as compromised care of orphaned children or children whose parents are also ravaged by the infection."
The hospital serves as a primary access point to identification, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Malawian children, and the much-needed renovations combined with the pediatric Center of Excellence are expected to improve management of pediatric HIV/AIDS care in the region.
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HOUSTON -- (August 14, 2009) -- Parents should be aware of certain behavioral symptoms in the classroom that might indicate their child should be screened for attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine said.
ADHD or ADD is present in about 5 percent of students from as young as six to adulthood, said Dr. Ayesha Mian, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at BCM.
"Children with moderate to severe ADHD or ADD who are not on medication are distractible and may have difficulty paying attention or concentrating in class," she said. "They can be abnormally fidgety or impulsive and therefore unable to learn in an optimal learning environment."
If your child has ADD or ADHD, he or she is eligible for modifications in his or her classroom, said Mian.
These modifications, called the 504 accommodations, are individualized for each child and may include:
ADHD and ADD symptoms are treatable with medications, Mian said.
"Stimulants are the most commonly used medications," said Mian. "These are usually short-acting medications that are taken every day and do not leave any long-lasting side effects."
Transient side effects may include loss of appetite, headaches, disrupted sleep, irritability or mood symptoms, Mian said.
"These side effects should be watched closely," said Mian. "A reduced appetite leading to weight loss may require lowering the medication dosage or trying a different stimulant. If treatment is medically necessary, medication holidays (not taking medications during the weekends or holidays) may be indicated for catch-up growth."
Since these medications are stimulant-based, they carry an associated risk of abuse. Parents should strictly supervise the use of these medications, especially when prescribed for older children, Mian said.
"Abuse of stimulants by children and young adults with or without a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD may lead to dangerous outcomes," said Mian. "We keep a close watch on how much medicine has been prescribed to diagnosed children."
"Teenagers with ADHD or ADD who are not treated tend to have a higher incidence for drug abuse,and are at an increased risk of accidents and early pregnancies because they are often impulsive and may have low self-esteem," said Mian. "Parents must weigh the pros and cons of using medications."
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Thank you for having a feature story like this. My son has ADD and he's been on medication for about six years. I take him off on week ends and vacations. That's been fine with the physician but it's nice to read that others agree. Also glad to see Dr. Mian recommends the medications for teens with ADD.
- Beverly Feldman (08/17/09)
HOUSTON -- (August 14, 2009) -- Whether it's down the block, on the other side of the city or across the ocean, changing schools can be a difficult adjustment for kids of all ages, according to experts at Baylor College of Medicine.
"Anxiety is a typical reaction in these types of situations," said Dr. Leng Bang, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at BCM.
Many children are afraid of whether they will make new friends and fit in at school. Pressure to perform at a certain level in school can also be a source of stress for kids, said Bang, who is also a pediatric psychiatrist at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
However, parents can take an active role in preparing their kids for this change and alleviating some fears.
"You can prepare them by taking them to purchase school supplies and new clothing. Get them on a regular nighttime and morning routine, and talk to them about worries they might have," said Bang.
It's important for parents to maintain open communication with their kids, and it's also just as important to communicate with their teachers and the school.
"If you have a positive attitude towards your child's school and are happy to get involved in school activities, your child will reflect this behavior," said Bang. "If you are involved in school activities, it's a great way for children to make new friends."
Although anxiety is initially typical, it should fade over time, said Bang. If parents start noticing changes in sleep and eating patterns and grades, and an increase in complaints of anxiety related ailments such as headaches and stomachaches, it may be time to intervene.
"Talk to your child's teacher to see if they have noticed any changes at school as well. You might then want to get the school counselor involved to help your child get through this difficult time," said Bang.
Anxieties can develop about school that may lead to behavioral changes or even school refusal. If this occurs, it is often helpful to seek help from child mental health professionals, said Bang.
In the end, maintaining open communication and staying involved will make the adjustment period easier for kids.
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