Guwahati, July 26, 2025 – In a continued effort to improve paediatric healthcare and promote awareness among medical practitioners, Medanta, which has been ranked India’s Best Private Hospital by Newsweek for six consecutive years, hosted a CME to highlight Paediatric Critical Care, focusing on respiratory illnesses with the goal of enhancing knowledge to save lives.

The event was organized in association with Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Guwahati City Branch and IAP Intensive Care Chapter, Assam, and was led by Dr Praveen Khilnani, Chairman, Paediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Medanta, Gurugram, along with Dr Rajiv Uttam, Director & HOD, Paediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Medanta, Gurugram.

During the CME, the doctors spoke about paediatric emergencies and respiratory infections, with a special focus on the recent surge in paediatric viral infections that have swept across the country.

At the event, Dr Praveen Khilnani, Chairman, Paediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Medanta, Gurugram, spoke on the topic, “Common Paediatric Emergencies: Approach to Management”. He said, “The best way to manage paediatric emergencies is to follow the ABCDE approach for assessment: Check the Airway for obstructions, assess Breathing and Circulation, evaluate whether the patient has any mental Disability, and finally ensure proper Exposure for completing initial physical assessment. Once the ABCDE assessment is complete, we can look towards secondary assessment that focuses on advanced life-support interventions and management.”

Dr Khilnani also stressed upon the importance of paying attention to the patient’s history, especially the background shared by the child’s mother or care giver. 

At the CME, there was a panel discussion led by Dr Rajiv Uttam, Director & HOD, Paediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Medanta, Gurugram on the topic “Recent Surge of Viral and Atypical Pneumonia in India”.

Speaking during the discussion, Dr Rajiv Uttam, Director & HOD, Paediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Medanta, Gurugram touched upon mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenoviruses. He said, “Children, particularly those below the age of five, are at an increased risk of contracting complications from respiratory illnesses as immune systems are still developing. Vaccination and nutrition play a crucial role in building their defences against pathogens, and are essential for healthy growth and brain development in children.”

He also said, “Respiratory illnesses are at their peak during the rainy season, with sneezing, coughing, running nose, sore throat, and throat irritation being the common symptoms. A sudden drop in temperature can cause the respiratory passages to constrict, making it difficult for children to breathe. This is also the time that pathogens target children’s respiratory tracts, increasing the risk of viral and bacterial infections.”

Assam-based doctors Dr Devajit Sarma, Dr Nayanmoni Deka, and Dr Diganta Barman also participated in the discussion as panelists.

Medanta Multi specialty OPD is now available in Guwahati at Sunvalley Hospital, GS Rd, Mathura Nagar, Bormotoria. For more information, please call 7638826770.