Paediatric Congress

  The demand for medical oxygen has shot up by as much as seven times since pre-Covid days. Last month, the country had witnessed a peak demand of nearly 9,000 tonnes of medical oxygen in a day. Among existing technology options PSA technology emerges as the most practicable and indeed a front-ranking option for hospitals and healthcare facilities. This oxygen can be easily piped within the hospital premises or nearby facilities and can even be transported in cylinders supplying to smaller hospitals in the area. Although the ravaging  second wave  seems to be ebbing now and the need for medical oxygen, something which was reckoned a desperately lifesaving resource just weeks back, has receded, it is time to consider long-term measures. The tragic sight of  hospitals  across the country abruptly running out of oxygen and  patients  losing their precious lives – all of which was avoidable – is still fresh in our memories. As such, one of those measures i...

  New AAP interim guidance on post-COVID-19   conditions   in children and adolescents recommends all patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection have at least one follow-up conversation or visit with their pediatrician to discuss residual symptoms, explore new symptoms and guide their return to activities. More than 4 million U.S. children have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Although acute illness may be less severe in children and adolescents than adults, severity does not predict subsequent or ongoing symptoms. According to the guidance, “COVID-19 can lead to many secondary conditions, which can range from subacute to severe. Long-term effects from SARS-CoV-2 infection may be significant, regardless of the initial disease severity.” Post-COVID-19 check During the visit, pediatricians should work with families to identify any continuing symptoms of COVID19, which may include respiratory symptoms, cardiac symptoms, fatigue or cognitive fogginess. Pediatricians a...