Dra. Maite Palá Calvo
Pediatrics
Barcelona

premature baby

A premature baby is one born before 37 completed weeks of gestation, ie more than three weeks before the scheduled date for delivery. It is also known as preterm birth. Premature infants are divided into subcategories based on gestational age: extremely premature (<28s weeks), very preterm (28 to <32 weeks) and late preterm moderate (32 to <37 weeks). Among the causes of preterm labor include: poor nutrition before pregnancy, use of snuff, congenital anomalies of the uterus, urinary tract infection and the age of the mother, mothers under 16 and over 35. ...

Sleep Disorder

  Sleep disorders are a group of disorders that occur in preventing sleep stages enjoy a proper rest, continuous and restful. This type of disorder can have several causes, such as physical or psychological disease (hyperthyroidism, anxiety ...), and even cause other diseases or problems in daily life (fatigue, poor performance, daytime sleepiness ...). Therefore the medical diagnosis is necessary to determine their causes. Among the most common sleep disorders are distinguished: insomnia, which is the inability to fall or stay asleep properly according to the physical needs of each person; It is sleepwalking, which is a state in which the person stands up and acts in a semi-conscious during sleep, unaware of what you do not remember; night terrors, fear episodes of agitation that may be associated with sleepwalking; or nightmares, which are unpleasant and frightening dreams that cause a rude awakening in both children and adults. ...

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a symptom of different diseases. It is the pain felt in the area between the chest and groin. It occurs for different reasons, the main ones are: constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies or intolerances or food poisoning. ...

ADHD

Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder that begins in childhood and is characterized by an excessive increase in impulsivity, hyperactivity, as well as difficulty sustaining attention in an activity for a period of time I continued. When this type of behavior is persistent, more frequent and higher than usual in children of age intensity, ends up affecting their school performance and their relations in various areas of their lives. According to the predominant symptoms in the child, the three types of ADHD are the inattentive (inattention), the hyperactive-impulsive, and combined, to comply with symptomatology of both types simultaneously. The origin of this disease is highly genetic and is due to a malfunction of some neurotransmitters (messengers) of the area of ​​the brain responsible for executive system that dominates the ability of concentration and attention. Moreover, in many cases, children affected by ADHD also suffer from other disorders such as depression, anxiety or learning disorders. Therefore, it is important to establish proper treatment appropriate to each patient's diagnosis, but usually psychotherapy with specialized academic support and guidance of parents combined. ...

Allergic dermatitis

Anemia

Anemia is a lack of red blood cells in the blood. It is not a disease itself, it is but a symptom that can be caused by lack of iron or lost due to excessive bleeding, among others. ...

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease, sometimes chronic. Atopic skin shows inflammation and redness continue, is more sensitive because it lacks certain proteins. Atopic dermatitis is more common in babies, may appear within 2 to 6 months of age. Many people overcome over the years. ...

Checks (Preventive Medicine)

A medical checkup is a clinical test that provides information about the state of physical and mental health of the patient.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an infectious disease that can occur at any time of life, although more than 90% of cases occur before age 10 years. It appears after the initial contact with the virus, and the risk of infection depends on having no past or disease, or been vaccinated or not. It is a condition that can happen only once in life. Its main symptoms are fever, malaise, loss of hunger and generalized rash. ...

Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a disorder of the weight of a person is above what is considered healthy based on their height. Today, childhood obesity is a problem that affects a large number of developed countries where the number of children and adolescents who are overweight is rising alarmingly. Obese children may have serious health problems in adulthood, and heart disease, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc. In addition to the physical consequences, childhood obesity can also involve psychological problems such as low self-esteem, depression or feelings of inferiority, which prevent the child to interact with others and limit their social relationships. Sometimes the weight problem may be caused by a disease or an imbalance of hormones, but more often it is by a poor diet, hence the importance of instilling healthy habits to children. ...

Children's cognitive development

Neurological development concerns all living baby, aged 2-6 months in their interaction with the environment, cephalic balancing, object manipulation, regulation of sleep stages, vocalizations, emotional displays, etc. With regard to the psychological development is a gradual and progressive stage characterized by a series of behavioral, emotional, social changes and ultimately, transformations related to new needs. ...

Constipation

  It is called constipation to difficulty defecating regularly considered a normal rate at least three times a week, although it depends on each person. Constipation is a condition that is caused by the lack of regular bowel movement and may be accompanied by pain while evacuated. This is a very common ailment that occurs due to inactivity, lack of fiber consumption, in situations of fatigue and nervousness. To avoid this difficulty, we recommend following a diet rich in fiber, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly. Although you can use laxatives sporadically, you should not abuse them as long-term can cause the opposite effect, and accustom the body to the same and worse. ...

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by a greater fluidity and volume of regular bowel movements, which can sometimes contain blood, mucus, pus and undigested food. ...

Digestive Diseases

Digestive diseases are diseases that affect the digestive system. They can be mild or serious. Some common diseases are cancer, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome or food intolerance. ...

Febrile syndrome

The feverish syndrome is a rise in body beyond normal temperature and is caused very often by non-infectious diseases and other infectious conditions that trigger the inflammatory response. ...

Feeding the newborn

Infant feeding during the first six months of life should be breast milk or, if not possible, artificial. From six months you can start with supplementary feeding ...

Infant colic

Colic is a typical disease of newborns that usually lasts three months. The main symptom is intense and prolonged crying lacking cause shown. The cries are normally happen in the evenings and for no apparent reason. Infant colic usually meet these three characteristics: - Appears after 15 days and before 3 months - Lasts a minimum of three hours a day - Lasts for more than three days a week ...

Infant Feeding

During the early years of a child proper nutrition it is necessary not only to ensure proper physical growth of the child, but also for their intellectual development. Also, it depends on their ability to learn, think, communicate with others and adapt to the environment. If the infant feeding is not appropriate, the child may develop certain cardiovascular diseases or suffer overweight and obesity, which if not treated in time can become such a high severity to cause their death. Furthermore, it is at an early age when children acquire the eating habits and customs of everyday life that will later be difficult to change. It is therefore very important to establish from small both routine regular exercise, such as good nutritional habits. Among the medical recommendations for proper infant feeding, notes: intake of five fruits and vegetables a day, not abuse fats or control the consumption of sugary drinks and sweets. ...

Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are those caused by germs. These little creatures are everywhere: air, land, water and other living things. Any infection can be acquired by touch, eat or drink, or breathe any object or living being that contains them. Apart from events beyond our control such as a dog bite or a mosquito bite. Vaccines, proper hand washing and medicines intake are some of the actions that help us to prevent this type of disease. The four types of germs are: bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa ...

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. There are several types of this disease, but the most common is viral meningitis, which occurs when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be lethal. Although anyone can get it, the disease usually occurs in children and in people who have a hard time fighting infections. All types of meningitis are characterized by the presence of meningeal syndrome, which includes symptoms such as headache, vomiting, high fever, stiff neck, and generally feeling unwell; these symptoms occur three to six days after exposure to the bacteria or virus. Meningitis vaccine can be effective in preventing some bacterial infections that cause the disease. ...

Newborn respiratory problems

Breathing problems occur when the body is unable to acquire the oxygen it needs. They occur as a result of a stuffy nose or because of physical exercise. However, in some cases symptoms of serious illness. ...

Obstructive Bronchitis

Obstructive bronchitis, or obstructive airway syndrome, is a disease that affects the bronchi. This disease can develop for various reasons, including the most common is a viral infection. ...

Pediatric Allergy

An allergy is a reaction of the body's immune system to certain substances that are ingested, inhaled or touched. The pediatric allergy is one that affects children and only occurs when in contact with the allergen, elapsed stage of newborn. It has a hereditary component and it is advisable observation and prevention before the appearance of the first symptoms and the presence of atopic dermatitis, asthma, predisposition to insect bites or suffer hives, etc. All these signs may indicate that the child is potentially allergic. A comprehensive study by pediatrician and Allergology service hospital help determine if there is such pathology. ...

Pediatric malnutrition

According to UNICEF, child malnutrition is the result of insufficient food intake and repeated infectious diseases, the first year of a child's life is essential for growth, both for their physical and psychological development, so it becomes so important Food at this stage of life, although it remains at all. Malnourished children have lower than normal for their age and stunted body weight. Moreover, they are too thin or have vitamin deficiencies and / or minerals (imbalance known as "hidden hunger"). Apart from the lack of sufficient food intake, other causes of child malnutrition include: acute respiratory infections, digestive diseases (diarrhea, colitis ...), lack of consumption of vitamin supplements or fortified foods ... ...

Pneumonia

  Pneumonia (or pneumonia) is an infection of the lungs caused by different germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi that spread their microorganisms inside the alveoli (the branches where the exchange of oxygen between inhaled air is made and blood in the lungs), through the nose, pharynx or via blood. This causes inflammation with lung damage, which has highly variable symptoms. In typical pneumonia highlights cough with purulent sputum, sometimes with blood or chest pain, and fever with chills. Calls on atypical pneumonia symptoms are less alarming grade fever, malaise, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, headache, dry cough without expectoration, and chest pain less intense. The severity and treatment of this disease will be determined by the extent of the affected lung, the type of germ that produced, age and previous medical history. The treatment is done in most cases without hospitalization, with oral antibiotics, and only applicable to income in cases where the patient does not respond to initial treatment or present other diseases or pleural effusion. ...

Poisoning

Poisoning in childhood is a frequent complaint in consultation health centers, but seem to have been stabilizing in recent years thanks in part to improved health education of families and security checks. Poisonings involve accidental contact with toxic substances that can cause serious health problems and even lead to life-threatening situations. In the case of pediatric poisonings occur most often at home by the accidental ingestion by children of medicines, toiletries or pesticides. It is therefore very important to keep out of reach any intoxicant or drug. There may also be poisoning bites and insects or animals, and food poisoning. To diagnosis a complete physical examination of the child is required, and the treatment will vary depending on the poisoning. ...

Precocious puberty

We talked about early puberty when the body changes physically and sexually develop earlier than normal. Normally, usually it occurs between 8 and 14 years in boys and between 9 and 16 girls. Although the age at which a child passes puberty always depend on family history, nutrition and sex. Currently, there is no specific reason that explains why some patients develop early puberty, but in some cases, is due to brain or genetic alterations.   ...

Rashes

The rash is a red rash that usually appears as a consequence of certain infectious diseases (such as measles, scarlet fever, rubella, fifth disease, etc.), and are more common in childhood than at any other time life. They can be caused as a reaction to other causes: when they are caused by a virus known as viral rash; if accompanied by fever it is the so-called sudden rash that affects infants in their first year of life; sometimes they are the symptom of a disease of unknown origin, so the urgent attention of the child is required to assess and diagnose the severity, or if due to a drug reaction. ...

Respiratory allergies

They are manifestations of the respiratory system to the intolerance of a particular substance, such as dust, pollen, or hair of some animals. The most common manifestations are rhinitis, bronchial asthma and alveolitis. ...

Rhinitis

Rhinitis is a disease of the nasal mucosa causing sneezing, itchy nose, eyes and throat, shortness of smell, obstruction, secretion, and nasal congestion. This condition can be classified as allergic, seasonal and perennial rhinitis, dry rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever is caused by allergy to pollen from late spring and early summer. Therefore, the symptoms that can also be skin, appear only at this time of year. Perennial allergic rhinitis is seasonal like regarding symptoms, but differs in that it is continuous throughout the year. The origin of this type of rhinitis may be allergy to mites or certain species of fungi atmospheric, or for a cause not be allergic (vasomotor rhinitis). The treatment of allergic rhinitis is the most widely used drugs antihistamines. Dry rhinitis, allergic unlike produces nasal dryness, which can lead to blockage, bleeding, crusting and tightness in the nose. It may be caused by the use of certain drugs, abuse of inhalants for nasal congestion, pollution, changes in temperature or dry environments. The treatment is to use moisturizers to keep moist nasal mucosa. ...

School failure

School failure occurs when a child does not get the required academic requirements. The causes may be related to the individual, the educational system or socioeconomic factors. ...

Short stature

Short stature or stature refers to children and adolescents who are below average height that corresponds to their age. Short stature is not necessarily a symptom of a health problem, it may be a delay in growth or slower than normal, or a parent who is of short stature. ...

Urine Infection in Children

Urine infection in children occurs when there is an infection of the urinary tract. Urine infection in children may produce no symptoms, but some symptoms are fever, loss of appetite and vomiting. ...

Vaccines

  Vaccines are a number of drugs used as a preventive measure in the occurrence of diseases and allergies. When germs enter our body, the immune system recognizes them as foreign substances (antigens agents); therefore, the system itself is responsible for putting the production of the required amount of antibodies up to combat these antigens. Based on this process, the vaccines contain weakened or killed antigens that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. That way, the body is ready to fight germs or viruses for which you have been vaccinated. In the infant stage an immunization schedule for common diseases (and even some already eradicated in some parts of the world) is planned and every age is assigned the corresponding. For adults a series of seasonal vaccines (such as flu, for example) and a number of compulsory vaccinations before traveling to certain countries in other continents that may involve the risk of transmission of diseases of these areas are established. ...

Vomiting

Vomiting involve the expulsion of stomach contents through the esophagus through the mouth. Many vecesm accompanied by nausea (feeling like vomiting) and stomach or abdominal pain. When we talk about not talking about vomiting disease but of manifestations associated with other symptoms such as headache, diarrhea, etc. ...