More than 120 paediatric nurses took part in a forum organised in Dubai recently Pfizer Nutrition Gulf, which discussed the latest updates in the care of infants and young children.

Four experts from the region presented the latest updates in the field of care and nutrition of infants and young children at the “Trusted Golden Care Forum”, the first of its kind in the region for nurses.

Topics such as neonatal resuscitation, establishing breastfeeding, appropriate growth measures, and infants with special nutrition needs, were discussed.

“Neonatal resuscitation skills are essential for all healthcare providers who are involved in the delivery of newborns,” said Dr Junaid Khan, CME consultant, neonatologist / pediatrician, chief of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Al Rahba Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

Around 10 per cent of all deliveries require special intervention by a skilled individual or team, he added. Dr Khan’s lecture presented the very important role nurses play and the critical steps required to help newborn babies adapt and survive.

Dr Khaled El Atawi, specialist senior registrar, special baby care unit, Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, said: “Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants and we all play important role in supporting and establishing breastfeeding.”

His lecture highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding and its common pitfalls in addition to how to manage effective breastfeeding.

“Assessment of growth is an essential part of a child’s wellbeing. Measurement of weight, height, and head circumference as well as other specific measures help us assessing a child's nutritional status,” said Dr. Tamer Adham, consultant paediatrician, assistant professor of pediatrics, Ain Shamas University, Cairo and head of paediatric department, Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

Dr Hanan Anwar, medical director, Pfizer Nutrition Gulf and distributor markets, said: “Infants may look the same, but they vary in their nutrition needs.”

Dr Anwar outlined the recommended courses of management for infants with special nutrition needs, such as prematurely born babies, cow’s milk allergy, diarrhea and spitting up.

“Breast feeding continues to be optimal source of nutrition for infants. In case breastfeeding is not an option, formula-fed infants with special nutritional needs should be identified and managed in order to support their growth and development,” she added.

“The successful program reflects our strong belief in the crucial role nurses are playing side by side with doctors in providing the best possible care for mothers and infants,” concluded Dr Hamdy Fayek, general manager, Pfizer Nutrition Gulf. – TradeArabia News Service