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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Force-Feeding May Harm Infants: Research
New Delhi: Force-feeding lentil-based foods like dal during weaning may lead to a rare but serious lung condition in infants known as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP), according to new research. The illness, which mimics pneumonia in symptoms, requires a distinct approach to diagnosis and treatment. Doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital conducted a 13-month study, published in the Journal of Paediatric Respirology and Critical Care, that underscores growing concerns in Indian paediatric healthcare about certain weaning practices. The research emphasises the importance of educating caregivers and medical professionals about proper weaning techniques and their associated risks. "Parents need to be aware that a simple act like pushing a child to eat can have serious consequences," the study authors warned. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo he study examined nine cases of infants under three years old, mostly boys, who exhibited persistent respiratory symptoms—cough, difficulty breathing, and fever—that did not respond to standard treatments. All had a history of forceful feeding of lentil-based foods during weaning. HP is an allergic reaction in the lungs caused by repeated inhalation or aspiration of fine particles. In these cases, lentil particles entered the infants' airways due to aggressive feeding, triggering immune responses and lung inflammation. This condition differs from typical food allergies, which result from ingestion. In HP, the problem arises from aspiration, especially during forced feeding in infants with immature swallowing reflexes. Laboratory tests in the affected children showed elevated levels of lentil-specific IgG antibodies. Chest CT scans revealed persistent lung opacities, initially resembling chronic infections. After ruling out tuberculosis and fungal causes, the allergic origin of the illness was confirmed. All patients improved following cessation of forceful feeding and treatment with oral steroids. The research team from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's Institute of Child Health included specialists from various departments. Dr Anil Sachdev, senior paediatric pulmonologist and lead author, stressed the importance of thorough clinical assessment and radiological and immunological evaluations in such cases. Co-author of the study, Dr Dhiren Gupta, who is co-director, paediatric pulmonologist, explained how force-feeding can lead to repeated aspiration, particularly in infants with underdeveloped swallowing reflexes. Dr Suresh Gupta, paediatric emergency and allergy specialist, highlighted how force-feeding, while common in Indian households, poses serious health risks. Fellow authors Dr Deepak Kumar and Dr Neeraj Gupta advised medical professionals to consider food-related hypersensitivity when treating persistent pneumonia cases involving lentil consumption.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No Covid-19 surge, only sporadic cases reported: Health experts
Given the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country, the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, and medicines. The Delhi government issued an advisory on COVID-19 and asked for necessary preparedness after 23 COVID-19 positive cases were reported. However, according to the experts, the situation is under control in Delhi. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Delhi government issued an advisory on COVID-19 and asked for necessary preparedness, but there is no cause for concern after 23 COVID-19 positive cases were reported. However, according to the experts, the situation is under Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said on Friday, "At the moment, the situation is under control. There are, at most, sporadic cases, which are also rare. Even the present cases are being managed very easily.""They are not being hospitalised. This is what we were expecting: that when COVID happened, it would remain a seasonal flu which could be treated very easily. The situation is not one of panic..." He further said"We haven't seen any hospitalised or ICU Covid-19 cases in the hospital. Only hype has been created, but there is no need to panic," he Dr Dhiren Gupta, Co-Director, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Sir Gangaram Hospital explained, "We have come to know that COVID is increasing, especially in Southeast Asia. But many patients are coming with body aches, nonspecific, fever, cold, so off late, we may start testing. But presently, you know that screening is being done with 257 cases testing positive. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. There must be many cases.""I think it's been 2022 onward. We have never seen major problem in any age group, except for those less than one year old. When Omicron started, it created a little bit of a problem in babies less than one year old, not beyond that," he the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country, the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, and to the Office of the Health Minister of the Delhi government, the Health Department of Delhi has released a precautionary advisory stating that this was for routine surveillance and there is no cause for concern. The health department assured that they are committed to monitoring the advisory urged all health institutions to send positive samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital to facilitate early detection of any new variants."In view of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, it is reiterated that all medical directors, medical superintendents, administrators of all government and private hospitals should ensure hospital preparedness."It also said that all the equipment, such as ventilators, BiPAP, oxygen concentrators, psa et, etc., must be in functional condition and refresher training of dedicated staff must be advisory said that Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in all health facilities (OPD/IPD) must be reported daily on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) confirmed influenza and COVID-19 cases may also be reported on the IHIP under the L form. All parameters must be reported daily on the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal. The advisory called for adequate testing as per the COVID-19 testing guidelines and to ensure COVID-19 testing of 5 per cent ILI cases and 100 per cent SARI cases. ICMR guidelines for testing are also asked to send all positive COVID-19 samples for Whole Genome Sequencing to LokNayak Hospital so as to enable timely detection of new variants, if any and share the number of samples sent for WGS with the State Surveillance Unit."Respiratory etiquette is being followed, including wearing a mask on hospital premises and in health facilities," it said of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 -- a very low figure considering the country's large population. Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalisation required. The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health. While COVID-19 is now considered another type of viral infection, basic precautions such as hand hygiene, masks in crowded areas and avoiding unnecessary gatherings are still encouraged, the statement said.
