Tag: CHILDREN

Categories
Arab News Health UAE News

50 kids to get new life through Golden Heart Initiative

The Initiative focused on children from conflict zones and underprivileged backgrounds, spanning cultural and geographical boundaries…reports Asian Lite News

Through the Golden Heart Initiative, 50 children with complex congenital heart diseases will be given the opportunity for a new life. The ‘Golden Heart Initiative’ is a global philanthropic mission launched on January 1, 2024, by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, a healthcare visionary and the Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings

The Initiative focused on children from conflict zones and underprivileged backgrounds, spanning cultural and geographical boundaries.

Spearheaded by experts, the surgeries were performed at public and private hospitals in Tunisia, Egypt, and India. Children from conflict zones such as Senegal, Libya, and Tunisia, and underprivileged families from Egypt and India were the beneficiaries of the Initiative that concluded within three months. Navigating stringent travel restrictions posed challenges in bringing the children from conflict zones to hospitals for their much-needed surgeries. Special travel permissions had to be obtained through various agencies to support these families. In India, the Initiative collaborated with government departments to offer high-cost life-saving surgeries that are not covered under existing schemes.

Children aged two months and upward with complex congenital heart diseases such as severe aortic stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve narrows disrupting the normal flow of blood; Tetralogy of Fallot, a condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart; and atrioventricular (AV) canal defect, where a hole in the wall separates the heart’s chambers causing problems with the heart valves, were some of the Initiative’s recipients.

Commenting on the project, Dr. Tarig Ali Elhassan, a renowned cardiac surgeon who headed the medical assessment board of the Initiative, said, “We feel proud to support these children in the time of their need with world-class treatment. After announcing the Initiative, we received numerous requests from different parts of the world. We thoroughly reviewed each medical record and shortlisted the candidates based on the severity of their condition and the guidelines of the Initiative. Later, we brought together global experts in the field to perform the surgeries. We also made arrangements to ease transportation challenges. Everything was done within three months, which we consider a great feat.”

The Golden Heart Initiative turned out to be a unique opportunity for these children to achieve their dreams of leading a fruitful life. Most of them were unable to undergo the surgery earlier due to several reasons such as high expense and lack of proper facilities.

On the impact of the programme, Dr. Shamsheer said, “It fills our hearts to see these children taking baby steps into their healthier lives through the Golden Heart Initiative. When we launched the Initiative, it received a good response from all quarters. Executing this mission was not an easy task. With utmost devotion, our doctors and other staff worked towards the healing of these little ones. The Initiative would not have succeeded without their hard work and the families that trusted us. We hope this tribute to Mr. Yusuffali will inspire these little ones to dream big.”

ALSO READ :UAE marks World Health Day

.

Categories
-Top News Africa News

700,000 children in Sudan at risk of malnutrition

Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, echoed Elder’s comments. The “lethal combination of malnutrition, mass displacement, and disease” is quickly growing, she warned in a statement…reports Asian Lite News

At least 700,000 children in Sudan are likely to suffer from the worst form of malnutrition this year, and tens of thousands could die, the United Nations children’s agency has warned.

A 10-month war in Sudan between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country’s infrastructure, prompted warnings of famine and displaced millions of people inside and outside the country.

“The consequences of the past 300 days means that more than 700,000 children are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition this year,” James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF, told a press conference in Geneva on Friday.

“UNICEF won’t be able to treat more than 300,000 of those without improved access and without additional support. In that case, tens of thousands would likely die.”

Elder defined the most dangerous form of malnutrition as severe acute malnutrition, which makes a child more likely to die from diseases such as cholera and malaria. He said 3.5 million children were projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition.

UNICEF provides “ready-to-use therapeutic food”, or RUTF, a life-saving food item that treats severe wasting in children under five years old, to Sudan.

Elder said there had also been a “500 percent increase” in just one year in murders, sexual violence and recruitment of children to fight.

“That equates to terrifying numbers of children killed, raped or recruited. And these numbers are the tip of the iceberg,” he said, reiterating the urgent need for a ceasefire, and for more aid.

Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, echoed Elder’s comments. The “lethal combination of malnutrition, mass displacement, and disease” is quickly growing, she warned in a statement.

“We need safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access across conflict lines and across borders – and we need international support to help sustain the essential services and systems that children rely on for survival,” she said.

UNICEF is appealing for $840m to help slightly more than 7.5 million children in Sudan this year, but Elder deplored the lack of funds collected in previous appeals.

“Despite the magnitude of needs, last year, the funding UNICEF sought for nearly three-quarters of children in Sudan was not forthcoming,” Elder said.

The UN on Wednesday urged countries not to forget the civilians caught up in the war in Sudan, appealing for $4.1bn to meet their humanitarian needs and support those who have fled to neighbouring countries.

Half of Sudan’s population – approximately 25 million people – need humanitarian assistance and protection, while more than 1.5 million people have fled to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN.

“The world needs to stop turning a blind eye,” he said. “Where is our collective humanity if we allow this situation to continue.”

ALSO READ-38 people killed in communal clashes in South Sudan

Categories
Food Lite Blogs Recipes

Children’s Day Culinary Delights

Celebrate the nostalgia of childhood by preparing a delightful array of mouth-watering recipes together. Indulge in culinary delights and create lasting memories with your children this Children’s Day. Whether it’s traditional sweets, savory snacks, or fusion delights, embark on a culinary journey that will make this occasion a memorable feast for everyone.

Take this opportunity to bond with your siblings, share stories, and create new memories while enjoying the process of cooking and savoring delicious dishes. Let the aroma of spices and the laughter of shared moments fill your home, celebrating the special connection between siblings and the magic of childhood on these special days.

Masala Paneer Quesadillas: Indian-spiced paneer and vegetables in quesadillas, cooked quickly in the microwave for a flavorful fusion.

Ingredients:

200g paneer (cottage cheese), crumbled or diced

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small tomato, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

Salt to taste

Cooking oil

4 small tortillas

1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

Instructions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat a tablespoon of cooking oil and cumin seeds in your Voltas Beko microwave for 30 seconds to allow itto sizzle. At this the mixture will turnaromatic.

Add the finely chopped onions and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the onions turn translucent.

Add the chopped tomatoes, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and salt (to taste) to the bowl. Mix well and microwave for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the mixture thickens. The Digital Display in the Voltas Beko microwave helps you to keep an eye on the mixture so you can ensure that it is being cooked perfectly.

Add the crumbled or diced paneer to the bowl and mix it with the masala. Microwave for an additional 2-3 minutes until the paneer is heated through and well coated with the spices. Adjust salt and spices to taste.

Place a tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and spread a portion of the masala paneer filling evenly over one-half of the tortilla.

Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on top of the masala paneer filling.

Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling, creating a semi-circular shape.

Microwave the quesadilla on high power for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes slightly crispy.

Carefully remove the quesadilla from the microwave, let it cool for a moment, and then use a knife or pizza cutter to slice it into wedges.

Repeat the process for the remaining tortillas and filling.

Rasmalai Cheesecake: A combination ofthe creamy richness of cheesecake with the aromatic flavours of cardamom and saffron-infused rasmalai.

Ingredients:

200 grams rasmalai (store-bought or homemade), drained and squeezed

200 grams cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup condensed milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

A pinch of saffron strands

1 cup crushed digestive biscuits

4 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed digestive biscuits and melted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly coated.

Press the biscuit mixture into the bottom of a greased springform pan to create the crust.

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add condensed milk, heavy cream, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.

Gently fold in the drained and squeezed rasmalai pieces into the cream cheese mixture.

Pour the rasmalai-infused cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust in the springform pan.

Smooth the top with a spatula and place it in the Voltas Beko refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours. The NeoFrost™ Dual Cooling technology keeps the natural goodness intact.

Once set, carefully remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and transfer it to a serving platter.

Garnish with extra rasmalai pieces and a sprinkle of saffron strands, if desired.

Slice and serve chilled, savouring eachbite of this delightful Rasmalai Cheesecake.

Kebab-Stuffed Pita Pockets: Vegetarian kebabs stuffed inside pita pockets for a handheld, microwaveable fusion meal.

Ingredients:

4 pita bread pockets

1 cup mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, carrots), finely chopped

1/2 cup boiled and mashed potatoes

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste

1 teaspoon garam masala

1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon coriander powder

Salt to taste

Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Tzatziki sauce or any desired sauce for serving

Instructions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread crumbs, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, and fresh coriander leaves. Mix well to form a uniform mixture.

Place the vegetable mixture in your Voltas Beko microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked and the flavors are well combined. The Auto Cooking feature in the Voltas Beko microwave ensures that your food is cooked with the touch of a button.

While the mixture is still warm, carefully open each pita pocket and stuff them generously with the vegetable mixture.

Place the stuffed pita pockets on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the pita bread is warm and soft.

Serve the Veg Kebab-Stuffed Pita Pockets with a side of tzatziki sauce or any desired sauce for dipping.

Enjoy these flavourful and convenient pita pockets as a quick and satisfying meal.

ALSO READ-Remarkable stage for comics and graphic novels

Categories
-Top News Africa News Economy

‘2 Million Children Displaced in Brutal Sudan Conflict’

The report went on to say that the violence also continues to obstruct the delivery of health and nutrition services, putting millions of children at risk…reports Asian Lite News

The ongoing brutal conflict in Sudan has led to more than 2 million children forced out of their homes — an average of over 700 kids newly displaced every hour, according to the Unicef.

“As violence continues to ravage the country, over 1.7 million children are estimated to be on the move within Sudan’s borders and more than 470,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries,” the UN agency said in its latest report published on Thursday.

The report said that presently, close to 14 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian support, many facing multiple threats and terrifying experiences every single day.

“Apart from conflict hotspots like Darfur and Khartoum, the heavy fighting has now spread to other populated areas, including in South and West Kordofan, limiting the delivery and access of lifesaving services to those in urgent need,” it noted.

Citing the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification in Sudan (IPC) report, Unicef saod that 20.3 million people will be food insecure between July and September 2023 and expected to further exacerbate close to 10 million children’s health and nutrition status. 

The report went on to say that the violence also continues to obstruct the delivery of health and nutrition services, putting millions of children at risk.

“In Khartoum, the Darfur and Kordofan regions, fewer than one-third of health facilities are fully functional. Insecurity and displacement are also preventing patients and health workers from reaching hospitals, with many facilities being reportedly attacked and destroyed.”

Health systems in the other 11 states are overwhelmed due to the massive displacement of populations from hotspots to these less-affected states.

According to Unicef sources, all states in Sudan are reporting severe shortage and stockout of medicines and supplies, including life-saving items.

In areas with high internal displacement and health systems stretched, such as the Blue and White Nile States, disease outbreaks, including measles, are resurfacing with reported associated deaths.

“With over two million children uprooted by the conflict in only a few months, and countless more trapped in its merciless grip, the urgency of our collective response cannot be overstated,” Mandeep O’Brien, Unicef Country Representative in Sudan. was quoted as saying in the report.

“We are hearing unimaginable stories from children and families, some of whom lost everything and had to watch their loved ones die in front of their eyes. We said it before, and we are saying it again: we need peace now for children to survive.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the country’s armed forces and paramilitary forces in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, resulting in at least 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to official figures.

ALSO READ: Renewed Sudan Fighting Hampers UN Aid Delivery

Categories
-Top News Asia News Parenting

Japan: Half of unmarried people don’t want kids

49.4 per cent respondents aged between 18 to 29 years said they are not interested in having children.

Nearly half of unmarried people under 30 in Japan said they do not want children in a recent survey by a pharmaceutical firm, citing reasons including economic concerns and the burden of childbirth and parenting.

Of the 400 respondents between 18 to 29 years old, 49.4 per cent said they are not interested in having children, the highest percentage in any of the last three annual pregnancy white paper surveys conducted by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

By gender, 53.0 per cent of men and 45.6 per cent of women have no interest in becoming parents, according to the online survey.

It’s baby season in Bollywood.(photo:IANSLIFE)

The government’s data showed the number of babies born in Japan in 2022 slipped to a record low of under 800,000 for the first time since records began to be compiled in 1899.

The drop came much earlier than the government expected.

According to a 2017 government forecast, births in Japan would fall below 800,000 for the first time in 2033.

ALSO READ: Japan breaks ranks with US allies, purchases Russian oil

Categories
-Top News UK News

Women, children failed by Met police, review finds

Baroness Louise Casey’s review of the culture and standards in the police force found it institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic…reports Asian Lite News

The Metropolitan Police have “nowhere to hide” after a “rats’ nest” of institutional misogyny was exposed by a damning report, women’s organisations have said.

Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ), Rape Crisis and the End Violence Against Women Coalition have called for urgent changes to the UK’s largest police service after a scathing review was published on Tuesday.

Baroness Louise Casey’s review of the culture and standards in the force, commissioned after Sarah Everard was murdered by serving officer Wayne Couzens, found the force is institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic.

Baroness Casey also suggested there may be more officers like Couzens and serial rapist David Carrick, and she found the force has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women.

CWJ, a legal charity that campaigns for victims of male violence, said the review “confirms a culture which not only tolerates but fosters many of the worst forms of criminal abuse from within its ranks and reveals shocking treatment of forensic evidence gathering in sexual violence investigations”.

“As an organisation that works with victims of male violence and police abuse, the rats’ nest that has been laid to bare provides an explanation for the repeated dreadful stories we hear from the many women who have contacted us,” a spokesman added.

“It is utterly shameful that women and children have been failed as the report highlights.”

CWJ director Harriet Wistrich called for the all report’s recommendations’ to be “accepted and effectively” enacted, with police chiefs held accountable for their implementation and regular reviews of this process.

Jayne Butler, chief executive of Rape Crisis, a charity working to end sexual violence and abuse, said the review is “the latest in a long line of reports that outline the serious and deep-rooted failures within the Metropolitan Police”.

“It is evident that the Met has not just tolerated a culture of misogyny, racism and homophobia, it has enabled it to thrive,” she added.

“It should not take years of scrutiny for changes to be made: radical transformation is now a matter of urgency. We are tired of hearing a rhetoric of building trust. Trust will only follow when policing is effective in minimising rather than enabling harm to women.”

Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, added: “This damning report leaves the Met nowhere to hide when it comes to the depth of its problems with institutional misogyny, racism and homophobia. Words can only go so far, and the Met cannot be more concerned with fixing their image than fixing their problems. Many women and girls rely on the police when seeking safety and justice, and we will be looking to the Government to see what concrete actions they take to transform their experiences.”

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has accepted there is racism, misogyny and homophobia in the force but said he would not use the term institutional.

Since the 1999 inquiry, the Met has remained largely white and male, the review found.

The police force was also accused of homophobia over the failure to stop serial killer Stephen Port after he took the life of his first victim and went on to murder three more men, but force bosses denied there was an issue.

Relatives of the victims have called for a public inquiry into the force in the wake of the report.

Following the report, Baroness Casey has called for the Met to “change itself”, adding: “It is not our job as the public to keep ourselves safe from the police. It is the police’s job to keep us safe as the public.

“Far too many Londoners have now lost faith in policing to do that.”

Her 363-page report, published on Tuesday, found that violence against women and girls has not been taken as seriously as other forms of violence.

It found that there is widespread bullying in the Met, with a fifth of staff with protected characteristics – for example, race, sexuality or disability – being victimised.

In recent years, the force has lurched from scandal to scandal including Miss Everard’s murder by serving officer Couzens and Carrick being unmasked as one of the UK’s most prolific sex offenders.

Baroness Casey called for a “complete overhaul” of the Met and a “new approach to restore public trust and confidence”.

If the force does not reform, it could face being broken up in future, Baroness Casey said.

ALSO READ-Metropolitan Police Service sacks officer who admitted to 49 sex offences

Categories
-Top News Europe

4 mn children pushed into poverty due to war in Ukraine

Romania followed closely behind, with a further 110,000 children living in poverty…reports Asian Lite News

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising inflation have pushed some four million children into poverty across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to the United Nations children agency.

“Children are bearing the heaviest burden of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine,” UNICEF said on Monday.

The conflict “and rising inflation have driven an additional four million children across Eastern Europe and Central Asia into poverty, a 19 percent increase since 2021”, it said.

UNICEF drew its conclusions from a study of data from 22 countries.

Russian and Ukrainian children have been most affected since Moscow attacked its neighbour in February.

“Russia accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total increase in the number of children living in poverty due to the Ukraine war and a cost-of-living crisis across the region, with an additional 2.8 million children now living in households below the poverty line,” UNICEF found.

The blow to Russia’s economy from Western sanctions has combined with its large population to produce the outsize effect.

“Ukraine is home to half a million additional children living in poverty, the second largest share,” UNICEF added.

Romania followed closely behind, with a further 110,000 children living in poverty.

“Children all over the region are being swept up in this war’s terrible wake,” said UNICEF regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Afshan Khan.

“If we don’t support these children and families now, the steep rise in child poverty will almost certainly result in lost lives, lost learning, and lost futures.”

The poorer a family is, the greater the proportion of its income it must spend on food and fuel, leaving less for children’s healthcare and education, the agency explained.

They are also “more at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse”.

This could well translate into an additional 4,500 children dying before their first birthdays, and an additional 117,000 children dropping out of school this year alone, UNICEF said.

It called for a range of measures to tackle the issue, including providing universal cash benefits for children and protecting social spending, especially for the most vulnerable children and families.

“Austerity measures will hurt children most of all – plunging even more children into poverty and making it harder for families who are already struggling,” said Khan. “We have to protect and expand social support for vulnerable families before the situation gets any worse.”

ALSO READ-WFP: 19 million Afghans face food insecurity

Categories
Africa News

Over 900k children acutely malnourished amid drought in Kenya

children at a school in Mathare slums area, Nairobi, Kenya, April 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

The institution noted that the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Kenya currently stands at 4.35 million, a rise from 4.1 million in June…reports Asian Lite News

Nearly 942,000 Kenyan children aged under five years as well as pregnant and lactating mothers are acutely malnourished as drought ravages the country, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said.

NDMA added on Friday in its assessment that some cases of acutely malnourished children have been reported in 23 affected arid and semi-arid areas. The number has risen from 884,000 cases in September.

“Over 134,000 cases of pregnant or lactating women acutely malnourished in need of treatment have also been reported,” said the national disaster authority.

The institution noted that the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Kenya currently stands at 4.35 million, a rise from 4.1 million in June.

NDMA added that due to diminished pasture and water resources in most of the arid counties, mortalities across all livestock species namely camels, cattle, goats and sheep have increased.

It said high livestock mortalities have been reported in Samburu, Mandera, Isiolo, Lamu, Marsabit and Garissa counties.

Millions of people across the Horn of Africa are facing starvation and death due to drought, with Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia being the worst affected.

ALSO READ-Drought to affect 36.1 mn in Horn of Africa

Categories
Lite Blogs Parenting

Children unsafe in cyberspace?

iPhone game for kids secretly turns into casino.(photo:pixabay.com)

The GCF 2022 Edition is returning under the theme ‘Rethinking the Global Cyber Order’, and runs between 9-10 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia…reports Asian Lite News

A new global report from The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), has found that 72% of children around the world have experienced at least one type of cyber threat online.

The ‘Why Children Are Unsafe in Cyberspace’ report, developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, focuses on raising awareness on the critical issues facing the protection of children in Cyberspace, at a time when over 90% of children aged eight and above are active on the internet.

The report surveyed over 40,000 parents and children, across 24 countries in six regions, with results overwhelmingly showing that protection of today’s youth in cyberspace is falling short, impacting children globally and requiring urgent collective action.

Those surveyed revealed that unwanted ads, inappropriate images and content, and bullying and harassment are the main threats experienced.  Globally, children are most active digitally at home or at school however, the report found that only half of children feel safe online, with one in five children expressing that they have faced bullying or harassment. Of the regions surveyed, Latin America and the Middle East reported the highest number of threats experienced by children.

83% of children claimed they would alert their parents for help if they felt threatened online however, of the parents surveyed, only 39% noted that their child or children had ever expressed concerns to them. This raises the question of how children can be protected when parents are not always aware of the dangers they face. ‘’Educating parents on these issues is crucial. Survey results clearly indicated that parents do not monitor the online activities of their children closely enough, nor do they report incidents to authorities often enough’’, report noted.

The report calls on all stakeholders including parents, educators, tech companies and law enforcement agencies to join forces to ensure that robust solutions can be found to meet the threat to children online.’’ Some countries have adapted education programs and curricula to cover digital skills and competencies. But even these programs fail to provide tangible training in, and solutions to, online risks— what they are, where they exist, how to react to them, and how to avoid them. Moreover, education systems are not working with parents to keep them informed and up to date on the latest threats’’, report says.

Ms. Alaa AlFaadhel, Initiatives & Partnerships Lead at the GCF commented on the report: “With 72% of children facing cyber threats, we believe the protection of children is crucial in a rapidly developing Cyberspace. The solution to the pervasive threats that children face is to raise awareness of the issues and ensure united action, from educators to the private sector, can be put in motion. We all bare a responsibility to create a safe place to learn and connect in Cyberspace as it becomes more entrenched in everything we do.”

David Panhans, a BCG Managing Director and Partner commented on the report: “With almost all 12-year-olds now online and virtual learning on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping children safe in Cyberspace is an urgent problem that requires an immediate solution. Everyone involved in the online and child protection ecosystem has a role to play, from international organizations, regulators and law enforcement agencies, parents, caregivers, and education providers to technology companies in the private sector.”

UAE hand in selecting 400 UK mobile phone numbers for spying (File Pic)

The upcoming GCF will bring together key decision-makers and executives from around the globe to discuss the prominent issue of child protection in Cyberspace, amongst other key topics including disruption frontier and geopolitical considerations.

The GCF 2022 Edition is returning under the theme ‘Rethinking the Global Cyber Order’, and runs between 9-10 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

ALSO READ-Awareness is best defence against cyber crime

Categories
Health Lite Blogs

Arthritis in childhood?

Various treatments are available to manage Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis effectively and minimize the effects of the condition. The foremost goal of the treatment is to get rid of pain, swelling, and the destruction of joints, and to maintain movement and strength…writes DR. SAGAR BHATTAD

Children are more prone to accidents and diseases. Therefore, symptoms of illness or overexertion, such as fever, swollen and aching joints, rashes, and exhaustion, may be misdiagnosed. Parents may also assume that swollen or painful joints in kids are the consequence of sports-related injuries or typical growing pains. Do you realise that juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may be the cause of these uncomplicated symptoms? The most well-known form of arthritis in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is also among the most prevalent chronic illnesses that afflict children under the age of 16 and affects toddlers.

Studies suggest that in Indian children, the prevalence of JIA is approximately 48/100,000! It’s noteworthy to note that girls tend to have rheumatoid arthritis at an earlier age than boys do.

It is important to know when it is urgent to obtain advice about joint pain. If a child has the following joint pain issues, they must be treated as “warning signs” and urgent consultation and proper assessment is required.

Joint swelling: If the child reports of pain and there is joint swelling/ warmth across the joints.

Morning stiffness: It is difficult for a child to move in the early morning hours when he/she wakes up with joint pains or limps while walking, but gets better as the day passes.

Fever with joint pain: Fever and joint pain may be caused by a viral infection (dengue/chikungunya). However, it may sometime be due a sinister underlying disease (blood cancer).

Joint pain with skin rashes: These needs urgent evaluation. This may be due a simple viral fever or occasionally due to an underlying disease affecting blood vessels (called ‘vasculitis’ in medical terms).

Loss of weight or poor appetite.

Like adults, children can also develop rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory arthritis), which can lead to lifelong joint damage. We refer to it as “Juvenile Arthritis” in kids. These children frequently have one or more swollen joints and complain of joint pain. The morning hours are the worst for pain and stiffness. If they aren’t treated in time, they become deformed.

Despite the fact that there is no orthopaedic concern, it is significant to highlight that parents commonly ask an orthopaedic opinion on such matters. Pediatricians and Paediatric Rheumatologists need to evaluate these kids properly. They should also have blood testing and require ongoing medical care.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues (autoimmune). It is a mystery why this happens. However, it is believed that both heredity and environment have a part in provoking the immune system.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can affect babies who are a few months old to any child who is below 16 years old. If this affects the toddlers, they are too young to explain what is troubling them. Therefore, it is important to recognize these symptoms to get a proper diagnosis from the child’s pediatrician.

There are several types of JIA. Oligoarticular type usually affects toddlers and is more commonly seen in girls. Usually, the large weight-bearing joints such as the ankles and knees are affected. However, occasionally, this type of arthritis may also affect the smaller joints like the fingers and toes.

Various treatments are available to manage Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis effectively and minimize the effects of the condition. The foremost goal of the treatment is to get rid of pain, swelling, and the destruction of joints, and to maintain movement and strength.

To accomplish this, Pediatric Rheumatologists usually recommend a combination of treatments. The treatment that is effective for one child may not necessarily help another one. Therefore, a pediatric rheumatologist and physical therapist work jointly to plan the best method of treatment.

Few health tips to keep your child’s joints and muscles strong:

Vitamins and minerals rich food: Diet must include fresh fruits and vegetables. For those who consume non-vegetarian diet, fish liver oil is a good source of vitamins required for bone health. Let your child consume them daily.

Drink plenty of water: It is good to have 1-2 litres of water every day, it helps avoid muscle aches. Further, this helps in proper digestion and limits constipation; thus water is crucial for a healthy living.

30 min walk/ jog daily for a minimum of 5 days/week.

Developing healthy habits in the daily routines from childhood will help keep your child fit for years.

(Dr. Sagar Bhattad, Consultant – Paediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Aster CMI Hospital)

ALSO READ-Cheat meals and eating disorders