Countdown begins for 2nd Pearl International Pediatric Conference

Manama, Feb. 24 (BNA): The countdown has begun for the second edition of the Pearl International Pediatric Conference, which is organised by the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) at Art Rotana Hotel in Amwaj Islands from February 28 to March 2, under the patronage of the President of the Supreme Council for Health Lt-General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. Head of the Conference’s Scientific Committee Dr. Fadila Al Mahroos highlighted some of the main topics that will be discussed during the conference, including a scientific paper on the impacts of digital media on children, shedding light on the many studies conducted on the matter proving the physical dangers of digital media on children, such as back pain, neck pain, changes in neck bones, muscle aches, headaches and weakness of sight, elbow joint malfunction, impaired physical activity leading to obesity and chronic diseases, and the deterioration of educational levels. Dr. Al Mahroos explained that the digital media that will be addressed during the conference include technology addiction, such as the internet and video games, and social isolation, depression and risks of cyber bullying and abuse. The official also asserted that the conference will discuss a diversity of other topics that are related to the latest updates on pediatrics, mentioning the development of pharmacological treatments for pediatric diseases, vaccinations, nutrition, obesity and its impacts on health, neurological and muscular diseases affecting children, gastroenterology, glands, thyroid diseases, gastrointestinal diseases such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney diseases, urinary infections, rheumatic diseases in children, surgical diseases, eye diseases, rapid intervention, and other diseases such as acne, headaches in children and common mental illnesses in school children. She added that the conference will also tackle genetic diseases and topics of medical treatment, which depends on the genetic analysis of the patient, and will also discuss blood diseases, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases of children, nutrition, breastfeeding and tumours in children. Some of the new subjects that the conference will address are the laws and legislations that are related to the practice and training of pediatricians, as well as their phycological and physical exhaustion. Several workshops will be held during the three-day conference on subjects related to emergency pediatric care, pediatric neurosurgery, diagnosis and follow-up of genetic diseases, asthma and children's nutritional programmes.