Teething What is teething syndrome? Teething syndrome, or simply “teething,” is a natural process during which infants experience the eruption of their teeth through the gums. This typically begins between 6 to 12 months of age, and by the age of 3, most children have their first set of 20 primary teeth. Having teeth enables…
Overweight Children What Is childhood obesity? Children are considered to have obesity if their BMI falls within the 95th percentile for their age and gender. BMI is used to measure and assess weight status and is calculated based on height and weight. The BMI percentile indicates how a child’s BMI compares to that of their…
Pregnancy What is pregnancy? Pregnancy occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg after it’s released from the ovary during ovulation. The fertilized egg then travels down into the uterus, where implantation occurs. A successful implantation results in pregnancy. Many factors can affect a pregnancy. Women who receive an early pregnancy diagnosis and prenatal care are more…
Parenting What is parenting? Being a parent means taking on the role of raising a child. It goes beyond the ability to bring a child into the world. Children- and the lifetime art of raising them- are a celebrated part of culture and religion in all parts of Africa. However, these styles are not effective…
Kwashiorkor What is kwashiorkor? The term kwashiorkor has its origins in The Ga language, and it loosely translates as the illness of the child when the new baby arrives. Also known as “edematous malnutrition”, kwashiorkor is a nutritional disorder most often seen in regions experiencing famine. It is a form of malnutrition caused by a…
Childbirth (Normal Labor and Delivery) What is childbirth? It is the hope for every expectant mother- and the team that cares for her throughout the pregnancy- to have a successful pregnancy outcome i.e. healthy mother and baby. The birth plan outlines the ideal mode of delivery and may need to be adjusted as the actual…
Breast Feeding What is breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is the process by which human breast-milk is fed to a child. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life. In Ghana, 52% of newborns are breastfed within 1 hour of birth and 43% of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed. But…
Bottle Feeding What is bottle feeding? Choosing whether to breastfeed or formular feed their baby is one of the biggest decisions expectant and new parents will make. Health experts believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants. Even though exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, there are many…
Autism What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a broad term used to describe a group of neuro-developmental conditions. These conditions are characterized by differences in communication, emotion, learning ability, memory and social interaction. People with ASD often demonstrate restricted and repetitive interests or patterns of behavior. ASD is found in people…
Infant’s Health What is infant’s health? Infancy is the period from birth till 2 years. During this stage, infants are totally helpless and dependent on their caregivers. While caring for your baby, you must understand their basic needs so that they can be met appropriately. What are the basic needs of a newborn? Care of…