Paediatrics

Children are a heritage from the Lord; offspring a reward from him. Psalms – 127:3

The Department of Paediatrics, SMH is committed to treat children from 0-15years of age, approaching the hospital with various ailments. The Paediatrics Department was started in 1962 by Dr Frank Lawrance Catering to the children of Ranipet residing in and around surrounding districts. Dr Suguna Chandrasekar former Medical Superintendent, SMH was heading the unit till 2012.

The Paediatric department services include
Paediatric Inpatient
Outpatient
24*7 Emergency services
Neonatal Unit

Paediatric high dependency with 3 beds was started in the year 2013, where critically ill children were treated with high flow oxygen, and non-invasive Ventilation. Children with ailments from various specialties such as Paediatric Nephrology, Endocrinology, Development Paediatrics, Paediatrics Neurology, and Asthma are treated at Outpatient Services and are admitted as Inpatient if required. On October 7th, 2021, Paediatric OPD was shifted to a Newly renovated OPD block which includes play area for the Children to have fun at the hospital Premises. It functions all days from (Monday to Saturday), emergency services function 24*7 (Monday to Sunday) and Evening OPD was started (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm) in February 2022. All vaccinations including Optional Vaccine as per IAP Schedule are given to all children 0-15years including and adolescent Vaccines. During ward rounds, case discussions are done at the bedside. Every Tuesday we have a drug/ vaccine presentation and paper reading by staff and Doctors. Ward prayers is conducted every Thursday to nurture our staff to grow in the Lord.

Child Development Centre

The Paediatric Department holds the path-breaking Rehabilitation department. We are devoted to providing diagnostic and therapeutic services for all kinds of developmental and behavioural disorders under one roof, with an interdisciplinary team approach Child Development Centre Services include:

Hearing impaired and speech disorders
Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Learning disability and scholastic backwardness
Early intervention in high-risk neonates and fine motor and handwriting issues
All aspects of cerebral palsy
Other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Down syndrome
Behavioural problems in children up to 18 years (including Adolescent counselling)

Various facilities at the centre include
IQ and behavioural testing,
Hearing Assessment
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Sensory Integration
Physiotherapy

The Paediatric Department consist of 2 consultants, 2 Junior Medical Officers with a good nursing staff team. We have empowered our staff by sending them to CMC Vellore, for training on essential Newborn and Ventilator care. We have bought new ventilator for Children requiring short-term ventilation which will be initiated at the earliest. We offer Level -II Nursery care by providing phototherapy (SLPT, DLPT, Double Surface PT) and essential newborn care who are born premature, and with Low Birth Weight and other illnesses related to newborns. We support our post-natal mothers by giving lactation support and advice on Re-lactation failure by counselling and teaching them the correct feeding techniques. We emphasize strictly Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and address or nutritional and immunization status of every child.

The focus of all work done at the centre is enabling each child to achieve his/her potential. Early detection and intervention are important steps in this direction.