drkalpeshpatil

Childhood vasculitis is a group of rare disorders in which a child’s immune system mistakenly attacks blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage in organs such as the skin, kidneys, intestines, lungs, brain, and heart. Because symptoms can look like many common illnesses—fever, rash, joint pains, tummy ache—it is often missed or diagnosed late. In India, […]

Across Indian cities and even smaller towns, more children are growing up with extra weight, less outdoor play, and diets heavy in refined carbs and sugary drinks. Behind this pattern sits a silent threat: pediatric metabolic syndrome. This cluster of risk factors—high waist circumference, abnormal cholesterol, raised blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar—sets the stage

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by ingesting gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye—that damages the small intestine’s lining. While traditionally considered a gastrointestinal (GI) disease characterized by diarrhea and failure to thrive, pediatric celiac disease often presents with a wide spectrum of symptoms beyond the gut. Many children with CD

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often called “winter depression” or “seasonal depression,” isn’t just an adult phenomenon—it can affect children and teenagers as well. In India, where cultural myths and climate variations shape our view of mental health and sunlight exposure, this type of depression is often misunderstood, sometimes going unrecognized in children for years. This

Hemangiomas, often called “strawberry marks,” are the most common benign tumors in babies. While many resolve naturally, they can sometimes grow quickly or cause complications if located near vital organs, the eyes, or airways. Understanding hemangiomas—when they are harmless, when intervention is needed, and which treatments are available—enables parents and care teams to respond with

Tics and Tourette syndrome are neurological conditions commonly seen in children. While tics—brief, intermittent movements or sounds—are often transient, Tourette syndrome is identified when a child has both motor and vocal tics for over a year, typically starting between ages 5 and 7 and peaking around 10 to 12. Understanding early signs and timely interventions

Digestive health plays a crucial role in every child’s energy, immunity, and overall growth. In recent years, Indian parents and pediatricians have increasingly turned their attention to probiotics and prebiotics—two naturally occurring elements in food and supplements that support a healthy gut. But what exactly are probiotics and prebiotics? Why are they trending among Indian

Children’s health is built on many invisible foundations—one of the most important being the gut microbiome. The human gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Far from being harmful, most of these microbes play a vital role in growth, digestion, and immunity. For children, whose immune systems are still developing,

The monsoon season in India brings relief from the scorching summer heat, but it also brings an increase in infections, especially among children. The humid and damp environment during the rains creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and mosquitoes, leading to a rise in seasonal illnesses. Children, with their developing immune systems, are

Imagine a child who bursts into tears at the sound of a vacuum cleaner, or one who avoids hugs, or even a child who can’t sit still due to the overwhelming sensation of a tag on their shirt. These could be signs of a condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). While not widely understood,