Perinatal Nursing & Adolescent Psychiatry

Allergy and Infectious diseases is the subject that deals with applied research for better understanding to treat infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases. The common chronic allergic illness in children is asthma. It may be caused due to dust or environmental pollutants. Infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Patients may get infected from affected individuals or from animals. Pneumonia is caused by a virus called influenza virus or adenovirus, where the patient air ways are inflamed by deposition of fluid. Children are more susceptible to diseases and allergies as they are having poor knowledge about health and related diseases and cannot maintain hygienic conditions for themselves.

This is a discipline which majorly deals with the basic principles of health care, public health and government role in the paradigm of health care. Medical ethics are the regulations that should be followed by every health care professional in order to reduce the conflict of interest between traditional patient treatment and the huge economic boom and hike in technological means of therapy which often in their nascent stages are not confirmatory in nature. These ethical principles are made by groups of physicians, nurses, lawyers and other health care professionals. Health policies are the procedures which may get updated day by day and can be considered as compilations of guidelines for medical practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and medical insurance companies.

Maternal-child nursing refers to a framework of health care provided for child-bearing women and their families. Maternal-child nursing strives to approach the birth process as a natural life event rather than a medical procedure. This field of nursing includes both prenatal care to pregnant women and health care to mothers and their newborn infants. This health care also extends to the entire family.

A maternal-child nurse is often cross trained. They must retain skills and knowledge that allow them to assist the patient during the entire hospital stay. The maternal-child nurse serves in roles related to labor, delivery, recovery, operational, postpartum and management of high-risk pregnancies. Specific roles they may perform include fetal monitoring, assisting in cesarean delivery and identifying postpartum complications.

Adolescent Nutrition is aimed at dealing with the proper and balanced nutritional needs of children and young people. Children’s physical and mental growth mainly depends on the vitamin and nutritional supplements provided to them during their developmental years. Patients frequently experience lack of appetite which can be aggravated by nausea and vomiting, mucositis, stomatitis, taste changes, constipation, diarrhea, pain, fatigue and metabolic abnormalities. The emotional consequence of diagnosis and treatment may also end in psychological factors such as depression, fatigue or anxiety which can hinder dietary intake. Child friendly food provision, protected food meal times are the better ways in coping the nutritional needs of children. Poor nutrition often is the key reason to weight gain issues in children as well therefore Hence child nutrition has become prominent in refining the wellness of the child.

Childhood Obesity is a condition where abundant muscle fat deposits adversely influence the child's wellbeing.  . As strategies to assess body fat are troublesome, the analysis of obesity is frequently viewed in BMI (Body Mass Index). Higher rates of weight are accounted in Native American, African Americans, and Latino childrens. The effects are due to less physical activity and poor life style. The health problems may include symptoms like hypertension and dyslipidemias, femoral epiphysis, sleep disorders, Type II diabetes, gall bladder disease, and mental health problems. The rate of child obesity has expanded significantly in the previous couple of years, 54% of children around the age of 6  to 11 years and 39% for children in the range of 12 and 17 years.

Psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing is the appointed position of a nurse that specializes in mental health, and cares for people of all ages experiencing mental illnesses or distress. These include: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, paranoia, and self-harm. Nurses in this area receive specific training in psychological therapies, building a therapeutic alliance, dealing with challenging behavior , and the administration of psychiatric medication. In most countries, a psychiatric nurse will have to attain a bachelor's degree in nursing to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and specialize in mental health. Degrees vary in different countries, and are governed by country-specific regulations. Mental health nurses can work in a variety of services, including: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Acute Medical Units (AMUs), Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs), and Community Mental Health Services (CMHS).

Anesthesiologist is a physician who administers general, regional or local anesthetics during various pre- operative procedures. Administration in adult is different from in children. The physician also monitors patient's blood pressure, heart rhythm, temperature, consciousness level, and quantity of oxygen in the blood during the surgery. Patient informed consent must be taken before administering the anesthesia. Past history of the child, medicines used before and food taken before surgery must also be closely monitored to avoid the complications  that may arise in case of providing  anesthesia.

Radiology is the specialty that inhabits medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases with in the body. Various procedures used for imaging are X-ray radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine including positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Physicians recognize the diagnosis by using the medical image and then provides treatment to the ailment. Interventional radiology is a part of radiology which uses minimally invasive procedures and is used purely for diagnostic purposes.

Adolescent Critical Care is the study that deals with the prevention and management of life threatening circumstances such as organ support and invasive monitoring. Organ support covers the broad spectrum of techniques performed during organ transplantation in case of individuals faced with organ function failure.  Invasive monitoring is the constant measurement of certain parameters like blood glucose tests and electrocardiography during the overall treatment. Critical care is the condition where children are suffering from chronic disease or emergency illness and immediate treatment should be provided. Intensive care unit is the specialized unit where the treatment is given under specialized conditions to manage critical ailments on a a best possible timely manner.

Palliative Care is a branch of specialized care that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of life threatening chronic illnesses to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Palliative care team is a group of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and other specialists who are involved in life support and treatment till end of life. This type of care can treat conditions like pain, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty in sleeping, anxiety and symptoms that cause distress. They also give physical, psychosocial and spiritual support to improve the quality of life. Each year nearly 70000 adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer, a disease that involves majority of the psychological conditions mentioned above and therefore palliative care becomes essential.

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Perinatology is a specialty under Obstetrics involved with foetus care and complicated high risk pregnancies. Physicians reduce the stress and problems associated during pregnancy. Perinatal nurse is a special professional who takes care of women in pregnancy and birth. They are also involved in health care of infant until the first month of infant’s life. Perinatal nurse educates the women about the unborn child and relation techniques during the time of pregnancy and also teaches their families about the support that needs to be provided to the pregnant women. Post pregnancy, nurses teach women about the protocols related to the care of new born baby during post-partum period.

An Ophthalmic practitioner is a professional who focuses on surveying and treating patients with a variety of eye infections and injuries. These can include eye illnesses, visual impairment, astigmatism, partial blindness, farsightedness, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Retinoscopes are utilized to examine the tissues inside the eyeball. Ophthalmic nurses or practitioners may also be required to perform thorough physical examination to uncover the reasons behind possible illnesses. Every year, the population of children with ophthalmic problems is growing and the focus should be more intensified to eradicate blindness and eye infections.

Geriatric psychiatry accentuates the natural and mental parts of typical maturing, the mental impact of intense and endless physical disease, and the organic and  psychosocial parts of the pathology of essential mental unsettling influences of more seasoned age Geriatric specialists concentrate on counteractive action, assessment, analysis, and treatment of mental and passionate issue in the elderly and change of mental administer to solid and ill elderly patients.

Genetic Medication, now and then otherwise called customized or tailor-made drug, is an approach to tweak therapeutic care to our body's kind of hereditary structure. Each of the cells in the body contains DNA; the basic units of inheritance that is acquired from parental generations and are key determinants to major physical and health phenotypic. DNA is orchestrated like a twisted ladder, with data incorporated in a planned manner. Segments of the DNA containing hereditary  data, likely to be translated into proteins are known as Genes.The total genetic component of an organism is called its Genome. Nurses should have the responsibility to undertake the task of evaluating the common genetic profile of the patients by evaluating them in the light of that of their parents’ which in todays time is a crucial factor in providing individualized therapy to the patients.

Gastroenterology aims with the study of gastrointestinal tract. Physicians and nurses deal with the health care needs of gastrointestinal Infectious diseases. The ailments can range from short term to long term or from acute to chronic conditions. One of the most common conditions in new born babies is Neonatal jaundice. Food allergies are also quite common in childhood. Pediatric endoscopic procedures are the basic corfirmatory methods to rule out the problems of gastrointestinal diseases. In extreme cases, gastrointestinal surgeries are performed to treat chronic disorders. The common diseases associated with pediatric gastroenterology are acute diarrhea, gastritis, persistent vomiting and problems with the development of the gastric tract.

Adolescent Hematology is the branch of science that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of various blood related disorders which include bleeding and clotting in children. The commonly occuring disorders are hemophilia, blood clots, other bleeding disorders and blood cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. The diagnosis and treatment is done mainly considering the components of blood such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and the proteins involved in bleeding and clotting (hemostasis and thrombosis). Physicians are specialized in treatment and overall management of childhood blood related disorders.

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Adolescent Endocrinology is the specialty that deals with disorders in physical growth and sexual development. The most common type of diseases is Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), sexual infectious diseases, hormonal disorders and the glands that produce them. Endocrinology is the study of glands and their hormonal effects. The treatment for disorders in adult may vary from childhood. Doctors must be well experienced in physical growth and  development of teenagers to assess the hormonal disorders and provide a proper diagnosis and therapy. 

Immunization is the procedure where man is made insusceptible or impervious to an irresistible infection, commonly by the organization of antibody. Antibodies invigorate the body's own integral framework to secure the individual against ensuing contamination or infection. Physicians and nurses play key roles in sharing the knowledge of immunization. Nurses are the at the forefront of this charge with regards to combating the revival of disorders like pertussis and measles. Vaccination is a demonstrated tool for controlling and taking out dangerous irresistible ailments and is evaluated in saving two and three million deaths every year. It is a standout amongst the cost effective health investments. It can be delivered through normal activity and does not require any significant life changes.

Adolescent Neurology is the study of child abnormalities in Nervous System. Neurology physician is capable of dealing with health care conditions and diseases related to central and peripheral nervous system. ADHD is a neurological disorder seen in school aged children that may continue upto adulthood and the rest of their lives. The primary reason behind this is attributed to the functional disruption of the Prefrontal cortex of the brain (PFC). The condition may be influenced by environmental factors or due to genetic predispositions. It is characterized by the incapability of a child to concentrate on the regular activities in a domestic or school set-up including remembering, recalling, learning, and other cognitive disabities.

Adolescent Pulmonology mainly deals with the health care needs in case of respiratory disorders. Medical practitioners are specially trained in treating these diseases and other chest conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema etc.  Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs. Childhood asthma is the impact on children before the age of five.This occurs when the airways are inflamed, and muscles are swollen which reduces the air passage into the lungs. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is either caused due to genetic or environmental factors. It occurs few times a day or few times a week depending on the intensity of the disease. In United States, out of 25 million people suffering from asthma, seven million people are children. For cases of pediatric population, proper nursing care should be taken in resisting respiratory disorders.

Adolescent Pulmonology mainly deals with the health care needs in case of respiratory disorders. Medical practitioners are specially trained in treating these diseases and other chest conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema etc.  Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs. Childhood asthma is the impact on children before the age of five.This occurs when the airways are inflamed, and muscles are swollen which reduces the air passage into the lungs. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is either caused due to genetic or environmental factors. It occurs few times a day or few times a week depending on the intensity of the disease. In United States, out of 25 million people suffering from asthma, seven million people are children. For cases of pediatric population, proper nursing care should be taken in resisting respiratory disorders.

Adolescent Cardiology deals with the diagnosis of congenital heart defects, abnormalities in the heart and performing diagnostic procedures such as echocardiogram and electrophysiological studies. Major heart diseases occurheart during the developmental stages of the foetus and start reflecting from the time of birth.The defects may be in the walls of heart, the valves of heart, and the arteries and veins involved in the circulatory mechanism along the heart. The symptoms can differ from none to life-threatening. It can be caused due to genetic conditions, taking medications, viral infections like Rubella, poor nutritional status or overweight child. Some treatments can be done by catheter based procedures and heart surgeries. Every year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects.

Research suggests that women are about 40% more likely than men to develop depression. Depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and escalating rates of substance use affect women to a greater extent than men across different countries and different settings. Violence related mental health difficulties are poorly recognised. Women are reluctant to disclose a history of violent discrimination unless physicians ask about it directly. Women in 'mid-life aged 45-60 years, may be juggling caring commitments for children and older relatives as well as doing paid work and facing physical health problems. At the same time, mid-life women may find themselves in financial difficulty as a result of lifelong lower pay, part-time working, family caring, widowhood or divorce. This combination can increase their risk of experiencing mental distress.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is mainly aimed in the treatment, and prevention of mental disorders in childs, adolescents and their families. Growing up of a child is susceptible to the exposure of various vulnerabilities including parental, social, which leads to the manifestation of various psychological conditions. In todays, world, peer pressure, the pressure to win the race of life often takes a toll on the children psyche. Teenagers are commonly characterized with issues like rebellious behavior, lying, cheating, school performance problems, negative attitudes, disobedience and disrespect, sibling rivalry, drug and alcohol abuse, pressures from peers, depression, and issues of sexuality. Various disorders may include psychotic, attention and behavior, mood, anxiety, eating, gender identity and developmental ailments. Medical Practitioners should be well knowledge aware and capable in identifying the behavior of children and changing the treatment procedure as per their development and differential behavioural needs.

The main role of pediatric nurses is to administer directly procedures and medicines to children according to prescribed nursing care plans. Nurses also continually assess the patient by observing vital signs, and developing communication skills with children and family members and with medical teams. Being a support to children and their families is one component of direct nursing care. Awareness of the concerns of children and parents, being present physically at times of stress and implementing strategies to help children and family members cope are all part of the work. Pediatric nurses are expected to have a fast mobility and quick response on stressful situations to contain the life-threatening situations. 

The study of  Neonatology plays a major part in the Perinatal Nursing. Neonatology is a practice which is basically carried out in intensive neonatal care units in a hospital. The doctors involved in this treatment are called Neonatologists. Neonatologists focus on the care of newborns that require Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalization as their organs are not fully developed it can lead to host problems that require expert interventions.