‘Cleanliness must to check pneumonia’

Lucknow: Clean surroundings, proper vaccinations, and trained doctors are essential in preventing pneumonia, which has a higher mortality rate compared to other infections, said Dr GV Basavaraja, national president of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics. Speaking at the 45th National Pediatrics Conference, PEDICON-2024, at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on Thursday, Dr Basavaraja shared that 15-20% of children under five die from pneumonia due to poor management. He stressed the importance of clean environments, timely vaccinations, and careful treatment by specialists. He also warned that the overuse of antibiotics could lead to resistance. Paediatrician Dr Anurag Katiyar highlighted that 1 in 69 children is affected by autism. He pointed to excessive screen time as a major contributing factor, as it hampers children's physical and mental development. He urged parents to limit screen time and promote activities that foster growth and learning. Meanwhile, the chief organiser of the event, Dr Sanjay Niranjan, emphasised the importance of early diagnosis of autism and other mental health issues. He recommended physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and medication to help affected children lead normal lives. Dr. TR Yadav added that improvements in newborn care, particularly in NICUs, have increased survival rates for premature and low-birth-weight babies. However, these children remain at risk of conditions like leg paralysis and seizures.
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