ITRMC Captures Case Contest Crown

GERD Updates

Pangasinan pediatricians were treated to a very enlightening lecture on a less commonly recognized and treated disease in children: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Dr. Karen S. Mondonedo, a pediatric gastroenterologist based here in Dagupan City elaborated on the different diagnostic modalities as well as the newer drugs used in treating this disease.

She further emphasized the superiority of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) particularly lansoprazoles and omeprazoles over H2 blockers in terms of safety and efficacy.

Our Xmas Gift to Community

An intercepted intelligence report of an impending military encounter in the remote and rebel infested municipality of Lidlidda here in Ilocos Sur scared the heck out of almost all PPS NORLU members but did not dampen the spirit of Christmas as the chapter adopted this community under its Community Adoption and Reach out Program (CARe).

A brainchild of our PPS NORLU Vice President Dr. Ma. Elena C. Lahoz, a medical mission was conducted by the brave souls of the chapter with simultaneous lectures on basic CPR, disease endemic to this locality (rabies), asthma, nutrional assessment and management given to barangay health workers as well as parents.

The RHU physician was likewise enlightened on childhood TB screening and was given PPD vials for their own PPD screening program. The children of Lidlidda also received loot bags aside from the medical services that were given to them.

This activity which was initiated in lieu of a lavish Christmas Party was made possible through the coordination by Dr. Jessica Joy Ramolete and full support from the Ilocandia pediatricians.

Drs. Shirley J. Gacusa and Mae M. Cabe stood as tthe godparents of this comminty to ensure contact and coordination with the chapter as well as to maintain continuity of care.

Maagang Pamasko sa Batang NORLU

With a few weeks more before christmas, the PPS-Northern Luzon Chapter in partnership with Natrapharm Philippines, launcehd the region wide mass Childhood Tuberculosis Screening last November 12, 2006. All members of the chapter recieved free PPD vials for PPD screening in their own locality. It is hoped that this project would recognize new cases and treated promptly and adequately. Thank you Natrapharm for your support.

Kawasaki Disease: What's New?

This was the topic of our very own Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Gerry B. Acosta spoke about on October 19, 2006 at the Lenox Hotel, Dagupan City.

Dr. Acosta carefully reviewed the diagnosis (fever lasting for at least 5 days plus 4 of 5 of the principal features: red eyes without discharge, cracked red lips and red “strawberry” tounge, swollen neck lymph nodes, generalized rash and swollen hands and feet and red palms). He likewise emphasized importance of intravenous immune globulin given at 2 grams/kg within the first 10 days of illness as recommended by the American Heart Association and long term follow-up with prolonged aspirin therapy.

He also presented some cases of atypical presentation Kawasaki disease patients as well as disease recurrence. susie castano, md

Timely Dengue Lecture

Hard hit by the Dengue plague, a pocket scientific meeting on the fluid management of dengue hemorrhagic fever was conducted on September 14, 2006 at the Lenox Hotel in Dagupan City.

The guest speaker, Dr. Herbert Uy, a pediatric intensivist of the Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center, spoke on the “Fluid Management in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.” He gave emphasis to the importance of early and aggressive fluid replacement with crystalloids. And in severe cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, the use of colloids, which are made up of high molecular weight proteins that theoretically “plug the holes” in blood vessels in cases of plasma leakage into the extravascular space. He cautioned the audience against unnecessary or prophylactic blood component transfusions as he enumerated the different transfusion related problems and complications.

A well attended affair, a lively open forum followed with Dr. Agnes D. Dimaano as moderator. susie castano, md