Understanding Newborn Reflexes and Care
Infant Reflexes
The Moro Reflex: Produced when the baby is startled by a sudden sound or movement.
Rooting and Sucking: When you touch the infant’s cheek, they turn their head toward the stimulus with their mouth open. If something is put in their mouth, they begin to suck.
Stepping/Walking Reflex: When the newborn is held upright with their feet touching a surface, they will lift their legs alternately as if walking. This reflex typically disappears within a month.
Palmar Grasp Reflex: When the baby’
Read MoreOropharyngeal Immunotherapy (OPI) Protocol for Preterm Infants
Oropharyngeal Immunotherapy (OPI) Protocol
Introduction
Oropharyngeal immunotherapy (OPI) involves applying colostrum or mother’s own milk (MOM) directly to the oral mucosa. This safe practice modulates immune function and stimulates gastrointestinal development in premature infants when started as soon as possible after birth. It is especially important for ELBW infants and those born before 32 weeks gestational age.
OPI is given to all NPO infants as soon as colostrum/MOM is available. Current evidence
Understanding Health, Diseases, and Healthy Habits
Health: The absence of disease and well-being, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and sexual aspects. Risk factors that increase the risk of disease include foods high in fats and sugars, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, lack of personal hygiene, and life stress. A change in one gene is a mutation. Environmental factors influencing disease development include carcinogens, contaminated water, and high levels of pollution.
Healthy and Harmful Habits
Healthy Habits: A balanced diet, maintaining
Read MoreThe Detrimental Effects of Orphanages on Child Development
Orphanages can be detrimental to children. I have firsthand experience, having lived in one for three long years. Orphanages are often not the best environment for children, and harm, both physical and psychological, can be caused. This harm can even be unintentional, caused by volunteers.
Today, millions of children live and grow up in orphanages without the love and care of a family. In the best scenarios, the children receive food, clothes, a bed, an education, and shelter. However, in the worst
Read MoreUnderstanding the Causes of Sudden Death: Heroin, Cocaine, and Benzodiazepines
Etiology of Sudden Death in Heroin Overdose
Heroin Overdose: A lethal dose of heroin is approximately 100-200mg intravenously, but oral administration requires twice this amount. Several factors contribute to sudden death:
- Variable Purity: The same dose of heroin can be lethal if the purity is higher than expected.
- Adulterants: The presence of poisonous adulterants, whether intentional or not, can contribute to death.
- Decreased Tolerance: After a period of abstinence, the user’s tolerance decreases.
Understanding Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms
Oral Forms
Completely different drugs can have the same dosage form and be used in different parts of the body. For example, tablets can be for vaginal or sublingual use, or granules may be for topical or oral intake. It is very important to know the dosage form because it is the basis on which the drug is presented, and different designs of a particular pharmaceutical dictate: the route of administration, the correct administration, and when drug action occurs.
Oral Forms: Modified Release
This is
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