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The 1st International Pediatrics & Neonatology Conference organized by Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada concluded today, Friday 11 January 2019 in Abu Dhabi with over 300 participants.
During the 2-day conference, some of the recommendations shared included the use of minimal access surgeries for neonates and children where clinically possible, and to perform regular eye checks for newborns to eliminate possible eye diseases and if diagnosed, to get treatment in a timely manner avoiding more serious complications.
Dr. Iviano Ossuetta, Chairperson of the Conference, Head of Neonatology and Neonatology Consultant at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children said, “The second day of the conference included valuable discussions on important health topics including children’s eye check, especially red reflex, pediatric epilepsy, obesity management and bariatric surgery for adolescents where clinically needed, the effect of milk on children’s immune system, bronchiectasis in children, approaches to reduce infection rates in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and car accidents prevention. We have proudly hosted speakers from United Arab Emirates University, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Corniche Hospital, Mafraq Hospital and many other leading hospitals in the country, as well as international physicians from Canada, Italy and a group of elite physicians from Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi.”
Professor Hilary Whyte, Co-chairperson of the conference and Neonatologist at SickKids Hospital in Canada said, “The conference demonstrates the constructive collaboration with Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children under our long-term clinical partnership. We are proud to have witnessed a great crowd of healthcare professionals in the pediatrics field in UAE, learning more about the best practices in our subspecialties as we all aim to advance our knowledge and continue excelling in providing the best care for children and neonates.”
In his lecture, Dr. Syed Ali, Pediatric Ophthalmology Consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi presented the latest methods in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases for newborns, namely the red reflex assessment, an essential assessment for newborns. He said, “Red reflex refers to the light reflecting on the retina (red because of the blood perfusion in the retina). This reflex is very similar to the effects of red eye commonly seen when the person is photographed with flash. Red Reflex is very important clinically, It can tell us about the clarity of the media. It is effected in case any disease effecting cornea, pupil, iris, lens, vitreous and retina.”
Dr. Syed also presented an observational scientific study conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, where over 800 babies seen between the age of 6 and 8 weeks born at Danat Al Emarat Hospital were screened for red eye reflex using the latest technologies. The test was conducted to diagnose any eye diseases those children might be suffering from.
“The study showed that nearly 10% of the children who underwent the eye test had positive findings ranging between simple to complicated eye problems where few needed surgical interventions and some needed treatment for couple of months while others needed treatment using eye drops,” Dr. Syed said.
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