Many of the surgical conditions of childhood are different from those of the adult and are approached from a different viewpoint.
This was stated by Associate Professor Dr Zafar Nazir, who is also a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Head of Paediatric Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), while giving a presentation on 'Common Surgical Problems in Children.'
He was speaking at Signs, Symptoms and Care, a public health awareness programme, organised by the AKUH here on Saturday.
Dr Zafar Nazir said, "Children are not small adults, the working of their body, the way they respond to an illness and their disease pattern, all are unique and different from those of adults."
He stressed that when a child requires medical attention, it is necessary that he or she be seen by a paediatrician. In the same way, when a child needs an operation, a surgeon who is qualified and experienced in operating on children, called 'paediatric surgeon, should be consulted. Highlighting the significance of a paediatric surgeon, Dr Nazir said that paediatric surgeons are trained to work with children and understand their special medical and social needs.
In his presentation on 'Causes of Acute Abdominal Pain in Children', Dr Arif Mateen Khan, Associate Professor and Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at AKUH, said that abdominal pain is a common problem in children and that there are several causes of abdominal pain that vary with the age of the child.
"The common causes include constipation, abdominal cramps associated with diarrhea, appendicitis, urinary tract infection, intussusception, food poisoning and trauma," Dr Mateen elaborated.
He stated that in the community, diseases such as typhoid enteritis, amoebic colitis, amoebic liver abscesses and hepatitis are quite common both in urban and rural areas. However, he added, in rural areas the situation is even worse as health facilities are not easily available to people.
Dr Mateen suggested that if a child is sick and has symptoms like persistent restlessness, paleness, or is unable to stand or walk, and has fresh blood in stools or dehydrated, then he or she should immediately be taken to the doctor. A question and answer session followed after the presentations.-PR
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