Dr Somesh Virmani

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

When Parents Fight, The Child Remembers

I've been practising paediatrics long enough to notice a pattern most people don't talk about. It's not in any textbook, but I see it in the exam room more often than I'd like.

Some fights in a house end quickly, forgotten by dinner. Others stretch into cold, silent days. And sometimes they turn severe, raised voices, a slammed door, words that shouldn't have been said in front of anyone, let alone a child.

That child is usually in the next room. She hears all of it. She's too young to step in, too small to protect the parent she loves most. All she's left with is a question no one answers for her, why is my other parent doing this to them?

By the next morning, the house looks fine. Tea gets made, the school bag gets packed, nobody mentions the night before. But she carries something quiet and heavy with her, a fear that someone got hurt while she wasn't watching.

You might genuinely feel fine by breakfast. She doesn't. It was a dark night for her, and some part of it stays that way.

Here's what I've come to understand, both from years in clinic and from what I've watched play out in these children as they grow:
Repeated exposure to conflict leaves a lasting mark on a child's emotional stability. Many grow into adults who either overreact to small friction, or shut down and feel very little at all.

It creates a quiet, private trauma that rarely gets named. She doesn't tell anyone what she heard. She just carries it, and it shapes how safe she feels in every relationship after.
Respect erodes slowly. A child who watches one parent get hurt repeatedly often starts to lose respect for the one causing it, and almost never says so out loud.

It shapes how she loves later. Some avoid relationships altogether. Others struggle to trust a partner, or carry a bias against a gender based entirely on what they witnessed growing up.

We fight to win the argument, to be right, to satisfy something in us that forgets it has an audience. The disagreement is over by morning. But the mark it leaves on a child's memory doesn't end when the argument does.

28/08/2026

Celebrating the bond of love, laughter, and always being there for each other. 🌸🌸🌸

26/08/2026

Happy Onam! Wishing every child the joy, health and blessings of this harvest season.

22/08/2026

Why is your child limping?

Limping in children can be caused by minor injuries, transient synovitis, septic arthritis, Perthes disease, or SCFE, while differences in leg length can also affect the child's gait.

The key is recognising when limping may indicate a serious underlying condition. Watch the full video to understand the common causes and when your child should be evaluated by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

(limping in children, child limping, causes of limping, transient synovitis, septic arthritis, Perthes disease, SCFE, hip pain in children, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric hip disorders, child walking problems, pediatric orthopedic surgeon)

19/08/2026

What is Congenital Vertical Talus, and how is it treated?

Congenital Vertical Talus, also called Rocker Bottom Foot, is a congenital foot deformity where the talus bone is positioned vertically, causing the sole of the child's foot to appear rounded and the foot to become stiff. Early diagnosis and treatment with casting, minimally invasive surgery, and bracing can help restore proper foot alignment.

Watch the full video to understand how Congenital Vertical Talus is diagnosed and treated in children.

(congenital vertical talus, rocker bottom foot, congenital foot deformity, vertical talus treatment, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric foot deformity, reverse Ponseti, reverse Ponseti casting, congenital talus, pediatric orthopedic surgery, rocker bottom foot treatment, child foot deformity)

15/08/2026

Celebrating the freedom to dream, grow, and build a better tomorrow.

12/08/2026

What is osteotomy, and why is it performed in children?

For children with bone deformities or abnormal limb alignment, osteotomy can correct the bone's alignment and restore the normal biomechanical axis, helping improve movement and function. Depending on the case, the bone may be stabilised with a plate, nail, or plaster while it heals.

The key to a successful outcome is not just the surgery, but proper care during healing and physiotherapy afterward. Watch the full video to understand how osteotomy works and what parents should expect during recovery.

(osteotomy, pediatric osteotomy, osteotomy in children, bone deformity, limb deformity, limb alignment, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric orthopedic surgery, bone correction surgery, osteotomy recovery, child bone surgery, physiotherapy after osteotomy)

05/08/2026

Whose Physique Is Your Child Building?

In pediatric clinics today, questions about early gym memberships are becoming a regular consultation topic. More parents and even doctors are asking about sending young children to commercial gyms, often motivated by online fitness trends or height anxieties.

The Shift in Expectations
There is a growing trend to introduce children to adult gym environments earlier than necessary, assuming weightlifting translates directly into faster physical growth or strength.

Where the clinical concerns actually lie:
Introducing pre-pubertal children to heavy, adult-style gym routines presents clear clinical challenges:

- Growth Plate Stress: Epiphyseal injuries stem from unsupervised axial loading and adult-proportioned machines, not light resistance itself.
- Hormonal Limits: Pre-puberty, strength gains are purely neuromuscular due to low anabolic hormones. Forcing heavy loads leads to compensatory mechanics.
- Overuse & Burnout: Rigid gym machines limit multi-planar movement, increasing tendon overload risk.

The Practical Protocol

- 7–11 yrs: Bodyweight control, agility, and natural play. No gym equipment needed.
- 12–14 yrs: Light resistance bands and dumbbells, focused 100% on form under supervision.
- 15+ yrs: Structured strength training and progressive overload post-pubertal maturity.

Prioritise movement literacy before mechanical load.

How are you counselling parents on this balance in your clinical practice?