A disturbing number of children have been diagnosed with malnutrition in the city; lowered immunity has also resulted in rise of paediatric tuberculosis
A disturbing number of children have been diagnosed with malnutrition in the city; lowered immunity has also resulted in rise of paediatric tuberculosis
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While an alarmingly large portion of the city's soda-guzzling brood battles lifestyle induced disorders like obesity and diabetes, a disturbing number of the city's pint-sized denizens seem to be heading to the other end of the spectrum, wilting under malnourishment.
Meet 18-month-old Asiya Mohamammad and 5-year-old Nasiba Shaikh. The two little ones, presently undergoing treatment at the state run JJ hospital, have been diagnosed with grade IV malnutrition, and are also battling tuberculosis.
City registers an increase in paediatric TB
Nasiba, a resident of the insalubrious region in Govandi, weighs a mere eight kilograms at the age of five, compared to the desired body weight of 18-20 kilograms in children her age. To compound her distress, she is battling abdominal tuberculosis.
Asiya was also diagnosed with grade IV malnourishment, after being brought to JJ hospital with high-grade fever. "She was admitted for severe bilateral pneumonia. We suspected that she was suffering from pneumonia, and the tests came back positive.
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Asiya, who lives in a township off Mira Road, was diagnosed with the deadly disease three months ago and put on medication, but her parents could not afford to continue the treatment, thereby exacerbating her condition.
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When she was admitted to JJ hospital in June, doctors were shocked to discover that her symptoms had aggravated. "She has been diagnosed with stage I neuro-tuberculosis and is being treated for it. We suspect that it may be drug resistant.
Owing to her malnourishment, her TB treatment has also suffered setbacks," said her pediatrician, Dr Sushant Mane, an assistant professor at JJ Hospital. He added that malnourishment lowers one's immunity levels, making it easy for him or her to contract tuberculosis.
When she was admitted to the JJ hospital, Asiya weighed just six kilograms, in stark contrast to the minimum desirable weight of 11-12 kilograms for children her age.
"Both kids are being fed intravenously. Their condition is improving gradually. Nasiba has already gained about 800 grams, and Asiya too will start gaining weight soon," added Mane.
While Asiya and Nasiba's condition can be classified as grade IV malnourishment according to the parameters set by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Association, they would qualify as 'severely malnourished' as per the parameters set by the WHO.
Wilting gen-next?
A survey conducted by the NGO Apnalaya has yielded that a shocking 20 children in a Rafi Nagar slum in Govandi have died of malnutrition in the duration between April 2010 and March 2011.
"In June alone, 103 of the 443 children we weighed in the age group of 0-6 years were found to be severely malnourished. While 173 children qualified for the moderately underweight category, only 159 had normal and expected body weight, as per their age," said Dnyaneshwar Tarwade, assistant director, Apnalaya.
Disease outbreak
Doctors at JJ Hospital are also in a quandary over the sudden increase in cases of paediatric neurological tuberculosis reported at the hospital. In June alone, JJ hospital has treated six such cases. Take the case of three-and-a-half-year-old Abu Shaikh, who cannot even identify his parents.
Abu, who is presently suffering from stage III tuberculosis, had to undergo brain surgery recently, since he was suffering from seizures.
Another patient giving Abu company in the ward is three-year-old Sufiyan Shaikh, who was fortunately diagnosed with tuberculosis at an early stage of the disease. "Two other children in our family are also suffering from tuberculosis," said a relative in the hospital.
Expertspeak
Dr Ashok Rathod, head of the pediatric department at JJ hospital, said, "Basic community hygiene needs to be maintained. The public needs to be sensitised about this.
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Most parents get their children to the hospital at an advanced stage of the disease. Intake of a nutritious diet and hygienic living conditions can prevent tuberculosis. Adults who have tested positive for the disease should avoid contact with children."
Dr Yashwant Gabhale, associate professor of Paediatrics at the hospital, said, "Out of every ten people, three test positive for tuberculosis, and one of them is a child.
Usually the TB bacterium spreads from adults to children. Neurological TB is more common in children less than five years of age. We see at least two such cases every month.
Medical literature suggests that when a child suffers from measles, he or she is at risk for neurological TB."
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