What is the ideal weight for your baby?

At birth, the baby usually weighs 2.5 kg or more. A birth weight of 4 kg is termed macrosomia (big baby). There are factors that can affect  the birth weight of a baby. It could be as a result of maternal or neonatal factors.
For the purpose of this post I will just dwell on the approximate weight of a child at a particular age. A lot of mothers get worried when they see other babies of the same age with their baby weighing way more than their baby. They start to ask questions about what to give the child.They get all sorts of information that could make the child become ill. As the child grows to become an infant(first 12 months of life) there is a certain weight gain in a day at a particular age.
When a child is born, during the first week the baby may drop in weight. This is due to the loss of extravascular fluid and possibly the colostrum intake. Colostrum is the milk produced in the first few days after delivery.It is thick and yellowish or clear in colour. It has less fat compared to a mature milk.
The following are formulae used to calculate the approximate weight at a particular age

1. For 3-12 months of age = Age(months) + 9/2 
2.  1-6 years = Age (year) x 2 + 8
3. 7-12 years  =Age(year) x 7- 5/2 

In summary,it means that if the child is between the age of 3-12 months, the approximate weight will be 6 kg at 3 months. Now you can add  0.5 kg to subsequent month until 12 months . In this order; 

4 months = 6.5 kg 

5 months = 7 kg

6 months = 7.5 kg

7 months =8 kg

8 months=8.5 kg

9 months=9 kg

10 months=9.5 kg

11 months=10 kg

12 months=10.5 kg

Now remember that it is an approximate weight and there is a range . Not all children will be exactly the same weight.

For 1-6 years, the approximate weight for 1 year is 10 kg, so all you need do is add 2 kg to the following year. In this order;

2 years =12 kg

3 years = 14 kg

4 years = 16 kg 

5 years = 18 kg

6 years =20 kg

 

For 7-12 years , the approximate weight for a 7 year old child is 22 kg, So add 3.5 kg to the subsequent years up till 12 years. In this order;

8 years = 25.5 kg 

9 years = 29 kg

10 years = 32.5 kg 

11 years = 36 kg

12 years = 39.5 kg 

Please remember that these approximate weights are not rigid. There are factors that can make a child weigh more than the other even when they are of the same age. These include Sex, Race, Genetic make up, Environmental factors etc.

For babies  0-3 months,the approximate weight is 30g/day. Is quite technical because you have to convert to kg. With this you can know what your baby will weigh during the period of the first 3 months.

Alternatively, there are a lot of applications that can accurately calculate the growth percentile of the weight, height and head circumference based on age and gender. 

These apps are user friendly and can be down loaded to our phones. It can also give you the multiple units for measures like kg, lb, cm, oz, ft etc. Some of the apps can also monitor growth data of children up to age 20.

Share your experiences with us and do take care of your babies.

Thanks for visiting.

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TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT BATHROOM INJURIES

Every year thousands of people over age 15 visit the emergency room(ER) because of injuries suffered in the bathroom and a significant percent are hospitalized..
Women are more likely to be hurt than men. Bathroom injuries increases with age peaking after 85.
These injuries can occur in the shower,bath tub,toilet areas, around the sink etc. The injuries also occur more while getting out of the bath tub or shower.

BATHROOM INJURIES CAN LEAD TO THE FOLLOWING;

• Sprains
• Contusions
• Fractures
• Concussion
• Abrasions
• Spinal cord injury

THE FOLLOWING PARTS OF THE BODY COULD BE AFFECTED IN BATHROOM INJURIES:

1. Head (Traumatic brain injury)
2. Chest
3. Abdomen
4. Upper limbs
5. Lower limbs

INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF HAVING BATHROOM INJURIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 

• PREGNANT WOMEN; Dizziness is one of the symptoms seen in pregnant women. They can also get tired easily as they progress in their pregnancy. This can lead to injuries in the bathroom because they tend to loose balance when they are dizzy.
• ELDERLY; As one gets older the bone density reduces, elderly people are also prone to having osteoarthritis etc These make elderly people to have less strength, grip and the balance to support themselves. Minor falls can cause fractures in people with osteoporosis, which is seen in post-menopausal women and elderly men . 
• PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE: They are always prone to falls in areas that are not well designed for them to move around or use. They can fall while trying to gain entry into the bath tub or leaving the bathroom. In well developed climes laws are put in place so that houses are built to also suit physically challenged individuals who might want to occupy the apartment.

TIPS TO PREVENT  BATHROOM INJURIES

To reduce the risk of bathroom injuries, an environmental modification is required. The following should be put in place to ensure that bathroom injuries are reduced to the barest minimum

• ANTI-SLIP BATH TUB MAT;

This is placed in the bath tubs to prevent you from slipping while having a shower. It is made up of natural rubber. It has suction cups on the reverse side of the mat, this is the part that adheres to the surface of the bath tub. The part you stand on has a secure grip that prevents you from falling.

• NON SLIPPERY FLOOR TILES;

Always use non slippery floor tiles for the bathroom. When you use smooth surface floor tiles for the bathroom, it will increase your chances of having bathroom injuries. Well designed houses will always put that into consideration.

• SHOWER CURTAINS;

Most of the bathroom injuries that occur happen when leaving the bath tub after bathing. This is so because while taking your bath the water and lather from bath soap or bath gell splashes on the floor of the bathroom causing you to slip off once you step on the floor. The shower curtains helps to collect the water that might splash on the floor during shower into the bath tub. There are a lot of beautiful shower curtains in  the market that are not expensive. They also come in different materials like fabrics or PEVA( poly ethylene vinyl acetate).You don't need a shower curtain if your shower has a transparent door/shield.

• GRAB BARS;

Toilet Grab Bars

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Bathroom Grab Bars

Grab bars are put in the bathroom and close to the toilet area. This will make it easier to enter and leave the bathroom when they hold on to it. It can also help the elderly and physically challenged individuals to stand up from sitting position after using the toilet and also serves as a support while sitting down during defecation.

• FLOOR MAT/TOWEL

This is always kept just by the corner of the bath tub or shower. It absorbs the water from your feet just as you leave the bath tub and can also absorb any water that could have collected on the floor while bathing. This helps to keep your feet dry, thereby preventing you from slipping.

For people that stay in apartments  where there are no bath tubs or showers, the floors of the bathroom can be made with anti slippery floor tiles and also wear slippers that have anti slippery surface. 

Just like the saying goes 'Prevention is better than cure'. Putting the aforementioned items in place will save you a lot compared to when you get admitted for fractures or lacerations on any part of the body. You spend more money in the hospital and will eventually stay away from work until you are better.

Feel free to ask questions or you can share your experience with us.

Stay healthy guys and thanks for visiting .

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On International Women's Day, UN officials call to 'Step It Up' for gender equality

The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.” 

 Senior United Nations officials from around the world are marking International Women's Day with calls to “Step It Up” with more resources and greater political action to achieve gender equality by 2030.

“I remain outraged by the denial of rights to women and girls – but I take heart from the people everywhere who act on the secure knowledge that women's empowerment leads to society's advancement,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day.

“Let us devote solid funding, courageous advocacy and unbending political will to achieving gender equality around the world. There is no greater investment in our common future.”

Listing successes during the past eight years within the UN linked to gender equality and women's empowerment, Mr. Ban said he has signed nearly 150 letters of appointment for women in positions for Assistant Secretary-General or Under-Secretary-General.

“We have shattered so many glass ceilings we created a carpet of shards,” he said. “Now we are sweeping away the assumptions and bias of the past so women can advance across new frontiers.”

The theme for this year's Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.” The year 2030 is the deadline for the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include targets on achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, as well as ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.

The other half of the theme is a reference to UN Women's Step It Up initiative, which asks governments to make national commitments that will close the gender equality gap, by the 2030 deadline.

As part of this initiative, more than 90 Member States have pledged concrete actions “to crack some of the fundamental barriers to achievement of gender equality in their countries,” said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Given the “unprecedented” expressions of political will, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka called for the beginning of a countdown to substantive gender equality by 2030, supported by accountability and measurable actions.

“The participation of women at all levels and the strengthening of the women's movement has never been so critical, working together with boys and men, to empower nations, build stronger economies and healthier societies,” she said.

Promoting gender equality is also a top priority guiding the work of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

In her message, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called the promotion of gender equality “a transformational force for more just, inclusive and sustainable development.”

She noted that despite progress, steep obstacles remain before genuine equality is a reality for all women and girls.

“The new global agenda will succeed only if every country advances the rights, ingenuity and innovation of every one of its citizens, starting with girls and women,” Ms. Bokova said referring to the SDGs and Agenda 2030.

In Geneva, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, spoke about his conversations with Syrian women who have been affected by the country's five-year war.

In a video message, Mr. de Mistura said he has been able to see the women's “enormous suffering and their dignity” and yet they have retained hope and given the international community hope.

“They have, and must have, the right to be part of the political process and the negotiations which we, at the UN, are planning to have. They are part of the future of Syria, of the present and of the past. They have much to say and much to teach us,” said Mr. de Mistura, who has established a special advisory board comprised solely of Syrian women to advise him about what is really needed in political aspects of Syria.

Source; UN.org

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10 FACTS ABOUT DIABETES

1) About 347 million people worldwide have diabetes

There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity.

2)Diabetes is predicted to become the 7th leading cause of death in the world by the year 2030

Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years.

3)There are two major forms of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes results from the body's ineffective 

use of insulin.

4)A third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes

This type is characterized by hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, with values above normal but below those diagnostic of diabetes, occurring during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and at delivery. They are also at increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.

5)Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes

Type 2 accounts for around 90% of all diabetes worldwide. Reports of type 2 diabetes in children – previously rare – have increased worldwide. In some countries, it accounts for almost half of newly diagnosed cases in children and adolescents.

6)Cardiovascular disease is responsible for between 50% and 80% of deaths in people with diabetes

Diabetes has become one of the major causes of premature illness and death in most countries, mainly through the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

7)In 2012 diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths

8)80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries

In developed countries most people with diabetes are above the age of retirement, whereas in developing countries those most frequently affected are aged between 35 and 64.

9)Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation and kidney failure

Lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services and essential medicines, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.

10)Type 2 diabetes can be prevented

Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.

Source;WHO

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Tips to cure your recurrent vaginal candidiasis

Candida albicans

Vaginal candidiasis( yeast infection) is an infection of the vagina caused by Candida. The species of Candida include albicans, glabrata, tropicalis etc. This type of infection can also affect the area around it externally ( vulva)
This infection is what people call "Toilet infection".
10-20 % of women during reproductive years may harbour Candida spp in the absence of symptoms. At some point in their lifetime nearly 75% of all women experience an attack of vulvovaginal candidiasis .
The vagina is maintained at a  PH ranging from 3.8-4.5. This is as a result of the balance maintained by the microflora seen in the vagina .

WHAT IS RECURRENT VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS?

This means having more than 4 episodes of vaginal candidiasis in a year with positive microscopy or a moderate /heavy growth of C.albicans.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF VAGINAL  CANDIDIASIS

• Vaginal discharge;this is a thick ,white curd like discharge
• Vulval itching
• Vulval soreness
• Excoriation of the vulva
• Burning and Irritation of the vulva
• Oedema of the vulva
• Dyspareunia (Painful sexual intercourse)  

RISK FACTORS FOR VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS ARE ;

• Frequent use of antibiotics
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
• Vaginal douching
• Immunodeficiency syndromes e.g HIV/AIDS
• Long use of steroids
• Hyperestrogenemia ie increased estrogen level in blood. This is seen in hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptive 
• Pregnancy
• Genetic susceptibility

TIPS TO AVOID RECURRENT VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS 

• Avoid vaginal douching 
• Avoid tight fitting synthetic under wears or clothings. Wear cotton under wears to keep the area dry.
• Avoid local irritants e,g perfumed products
• Wash under wears with hot water and dry it outside
• Avoid scented pant liners, sanitary pads and tampons
• Change your underwear regularly if you sweat a lot around the genital area.
• Avoid use of contraception with high level of oestrogen

Always visit your doctor so that tests like blood sugar, HIV and cultures can be done. Your doctor will also prescribe the right drugs for you to take.

 Please do feel free to leave a comment. Stay healthy guys and thanks for visiting .

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WHO outlines ways to prevent and mitigate childhood hearing loss

“A child who struggles to hear may also struggle to learn to speak, underachieve at school and end up socially isolated,” says Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. “But this doesn’t have to happen. We have a range of tools to help prevent, detect and treat childhood hearing loss.”

Most childhood hearing loss can be prevented

There are many causes of childhood hearing loss. It is estimated that 40% is attributable to genetic causes; 31% to infections such as measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis; and 17% to complications at birth, including prematurity, low birth weight and neonatal jaundice. In addition, an estimated 4% results from expectant mothers and new-borns unknowingly using medicines that are harmful to hearing.

To prevent childhood hearing loss, immunizing children against diseases and regulating certain medicines and noise levels are vital.

Mitigating the impact of hearing loss

Early identification of those children with hearing loss helps to trigger the needed interventions, such as the provision of hearing devices and other communication therapies.

Hearing screening programmes for infants, and pre-school and school-based children, alongside hearing care training for health professionals, can dramatically improve the lives of children. Such programmes ensure that those in need of specialized care receive the interventions they need to be able to communicate, receive education and gain employment later in life.

Raising public awareness about ear and hearing care is another key strategy for reducing hearing loss and associated stigma around the use of hearing devices. Strengthening organizations of people with hearing loss and their families can contribute greatly to this effort.

The WHO report includes case studies from Cambodia, Canada, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, Viet Nam and the United States which showcase the impact that programmes in these and other countries are having on the lives of children across the world. In settings where public health interventions, such as immunization programmes, are functioning optimally, much of childhood hearing loss is avoided. In others, early detection and treatment are key.

WHO collates data and information on hearing loss to demonstrate its prevalence, causes and impact as well as opportunities for prevention and management; assists countries to develop and implement strategies for hearing care that are integrated into the primary health-care system; and provides technical resources and guidance for planning, implementation and human resource development.

World Hearing Day is an annual advocacy event held on 3 March. It aims to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care across the world. The theme for World Hearing Day 2016 is Childhood hearing loss; act now, here’s how!

Source; WHO

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‘Stand out and stand together,’ says UN on Zero Discrimination Day

Zero Discrimination Day is an opportunity to join together against discrimination and celebrate everyone’s right to live a full and productive life with dignity. Source: UNAIDS

1 March 2016 – The United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response today called on the international community to celebrate individuality, as it observed Zero Discrimination Day, stressing that embracing diversity brings valuable benefits to all societies around the world.

The theme of this year’s Day is ‘Stand Out,’ and encourages everyone to stand for fair and just societies. People are being urged to value and embrace diversity and recognize the diverse set of talents and skills that each person brings – talents that enrich society and strengthen communities.

“On Zero Discrimination Day, stand out and stand together for the right to live free from stigma and discrimination,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). “By celebrating diversity, we can transform the future,” he added.

However, discrimination remains widespread – gender, nationality, age, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion can all unfortunately be the basis for some form of discrimination, the agency says. In only four out of 10 countries worldwide do equal numbers of girls and boys attend secondary school and 75 countries have laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations.

“When the most marginalized and vulnerable face discrimination and abuse, all of us are diminished,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message for the Day. “The United Nations is strongly committed to upholding human rights and dignity for all,” he said.

Discrimination in health-care settings also continues to be widely reported. Imagine a young woman newly diagnosed with HIV being told by her doctor that she must be sterilized, a sex worker facing violence or abuse from a nurse, a disabled person denied access to proper advice about their sexual health, a gay man frightened of disclosing his sexuality to medical staff, a person who injects drugs dying after being refused treatment or a transgender person attempting suicide after being turned away from a clinic.

Health-care settings should be considered as safe and caring environments, however, such cases are happening too frequently throughout the world. Any obstacles that inhibit access to health-care facilities, including to testing, treatment and care services, must be removed. Access to health must be open to everyone. UNAIDS is partnering with the World Health Organization’s Global Health Workforce Alliance to develop a plan for action to end discrimination in health-care settings.

Source; UN.org

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