Dr Aleksandra Gajecka - Pediatrician in Malta, Sliema (2026)

07/08/2026

❤️👶 Infantile Haemangioma – Should Parents Be Worried?

Finding a bright red mark on your baby’s skin can be alarming. The good news is that, in most cases, it is an infantile haemangioma—a common and benign vascular birthmark.

🩺 What is an infantile haemangioma?

An infantile haemangioma is a non-cancerous growth of blood vessels. It usually appears within the first weeks of life, grows rapidly during the first few months, and then gradually shrinks over time.

It affects around 4–5% of infants and is more common in:
✔️ premature babies
✔️ girls
✔️ low birth weight infants
✔️ twins and multiple births

⏳ Will it disappear?

In most children—yes!

After the first year of life, haemangiomas usually begin to fade slowly. Many disappear significantly or completely by 5–10 years of age, although some may leave slight skin changes.

🚨 When should you see a pediatrician?

Most haemangiomas only require observation, but medical assessment is important if the haemangioma:

• grows very quickly
• is located near the eye, nose, mouth, or airway
• bleeds repeatedly or develops an ulcer
• interferes with feeding, breathing, hearing, or vision
• is very large or if multiple haemangiomas are present

Early assessment is important because some haemangiomas benefit from treatment, especially during the first months of life when they are growing most rapidly.

💊 Is treatment always necessary?

No. Most infantile haemangiomas do not require treatment.

However, when needed, effective treatments such as propranolol can significantly reduce their growth and improve long-term outcomes.

✨ The key message

Most infantile haemangiomas are harmless and disappear naturally with time. The most important step is recognizing the few cases that require early medical evaluation.

💙 If you notice a rapidly growing red mark on your baby’s skin, don’t panic—but don’t hesitate to ask your pediatrician for advice.

Yours,

Dr Aleksandra 🦋

27/07/2026

🩸👶 **Iron Supplementation in Newborns – Does Every Baby Need It?**

Lately, I have been seeing quite a few newborns in my practice who were discharged from the hospital **without any recommendation for iron supplementation**\. Many parents ask me: *Does my baby need iron?*

The answer depends on your baby’s **gestational age, birth weight, and medical history**\.

# # # 🧠 Why is iron important?

Iron is essential for:
🧠 brain development
🩸 red blood cell production
💪 healthy growth
🛡️ normal immune function

Iron deficiency during infancy may affect a child’s neurodevelopment\.

# # # 👶 Which babies need iron supplementation?

According to international pediatric guidelines, supplementation is recommended for:
✔️ Preterm infants \(

16/07/2026

☀️💛 Vitamin D3 in Children – Why Is It So Important?

Vitamin D is often called the “sunshine vitamin,” but did you know that for infants, sunlight alone is not enough?

🧠 Why is vitamin D3 essential?

Vitamin D plays a vital role in a child’s healthy growth and development. It helps:
🦴 Build strong bones and teeth by supporting calcium and phosphorus absorption.

💪 Maintain healthy muscle function.

🛡️ Support the immune system in fighting infections.

🧠 Contribute to the normal development of the nervous system.

👶 Should every infant receive vitamin D?

👉 Yes.

According to current pediatric guidelines, all infants should receive vitamin D supplementation from the first days of life, regardless of:

• whether they are breastfed or formula-fed (with dose adjustments for infants consuming large amounts of formula),
• the season,
• or the country they live in.

Even in sunny climates, such as Malta, regular supplementation is recommended because:
☀️ babies should be protected from direct sunlight,
☀️ sunscreen and clothing reduce vitamin D production,
☀️ it is difficult to obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight alone without increasing the risk of skin damage.

💊 How much vitamin D does a baby need?

Most healthy, full-term infants require 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily during infancy. Your pediatrician may recommend a different dose for premature babies or children with specific medical conditions.

✨ The key message

Vitamin D3 is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your baby’s healthy growth.

💙 A few drops each day can make a lifelong difference.

Yours,

Dr Aleksandra 🦋

10/07/2026

👂🏊 Swimmer’s Ear in Children – What Parents Should Know
Summer means more time in the pool and the sea—but it can also mean a higher risk of otitis externa, also known as swimmer’s ear.
🦠 What causes it?
Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal.
Common causes include:
● frequent swimming or prolonged moisture in the ear
● tiny scratches from cotton swabs or fingernails
● irritation from sand or other debris
● bacteria growing in a warm, moist environment
⚠️ What are the symptoms?
Watch for:�👂 Ear pain, especially when touching or pulling the ear
🔴 Redness or swelling of the ear canal
💧 Discharge from the ear
👂 A feeling of fullness or reduced hearing
🌡️ Occasionally, fever
🩺 When should you see a pediatrician?
Contact your pediatrician if your child:
● has significant ear pain
● develops ear discharge
● has fever
● experiences hearing loss
● has swelling around the ear
● does not improve within 24–48 hours
Early treatment with prescribed ear drops usually leads to a quick recovery.
🏖️ Can it be prevented?
✔️ Dry your child’s ears gently after swimming.
✔️ Avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear.
✔️ Use well-maintained swimming pools and avoid swimming in contaminated water.
✨ The key message
Not every earache is a middle ear infection. During the summer, swimmer’s ear is a common cause of ear pain—but with early recognition and appropriate treatment, most children recover quickly.
Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

06/07/2026

💧☀️ Dehydration and Electrolyte Loss in Children During Summer – What Every Parent Should Know
Hot weather, outdoor play, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss, especially in infants and young children.
Because children have a higher body water content and lose fluids more rapidly than adults, dehydration can develop surprisingly fast.
⚠️ Signs of dehydration
Watch for:�💧 Dry lips and mouth
🚽 Fewer wet diapers or decreased urination
😢 Crying without tears
👀 Sunken eyes
😴 Sleepiness, unusual tiredness, or irritability
🧒 Cool hands and feet
💓 Rapid heartbeat
🧂 Why are electrolytes important?
Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride help regulate:
● hydration
● muscle function
● heart rhythm
● nerve function
When fluids are lost through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, electrolytes are lost as well.
🥤 How should dehydration be treated?
✔️ Offer small amounts of fluid frequently.
✔️ Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is the best choice for children with dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea because it contains the right balance of water, glucose, and electrolytes.
❌ Sports drinks, fizzy drinks, fruit juices, and plain water alone are not suitable for treating dehydration, as they do not provide the correct electrolyte balance.
🚨 When should you see a doctor?
Seek medical attention if your child:
● cannot keep fluids down
● has persistent vomiting or severe diarrhea
● has not urinated for many hours
● becomes difficult to wake or unusually sleepy
● develops rapid breathing or signs of confusion
● shows no improvement despite oral rehydration
✨ The key message
During summer, prevention is the best medicine. Encourage regular drinking, avoid excessive heat, and recognize dehydration early.
💙 When your child is ill, replacing both fluids and electrolytes is often the key to a safe recovery.
Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

21/06/2026

👶💋 Can a Mother’s Cold Sore Be Dangerous for Her Baby?
Many parents think of cold sores as a minor inconvenience. However, for young infants, especially newborns, the virus that causes cold sores can be much more serious. 💛
🦠 What causes a cold sore?
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1).
In adults, they usually appear as small, painful blisters around the lips and often heal without complications.
⚠️ Why can HSV be dangerous for infants?
A newborn’s immune system is still developing, making it harder to fight certain infections.
If HSV is transmitted to a young infant, it can cause:
● skin, eye, or mouth infections
● serious illness requiring hospitalization
● in rare cases, infection of the brain (encephalitis)
The risk is highest during the first weeks of life.
🤱 How can parents protect their baby?
If you have an active cold sore:
✔️ Avoid kissing your baby
✔️ Wash your hands frequently
✔️ Do not touch the sore and then touch the baby
✔️ Consider covering the lesion when caring for your infant
✔️ Avoid sharing utensils, cups, towels, or pacifiers
🩺 When should you contact a doctor?
Seek medical attention urgently if a young infant develops:
● fever
● poor feeding
● unusual sleepiness
● skin blisters
● irritability or lethargy
✨ The key message
For adults, a cold sore is usually a minor problem. For newborns and young infants, however, HSV infection can be serious.
💙 A few simple precautions can greatly reduce the risk of transmission and help keep your baby safe.
Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

19/06/2026

👶🩷 The Benefits of Babywearing — More Than Just Convenience

For thousands of years, parents around the world have carried their babies close to their bodies. Today, we know that babywearing is not only practical — it also offers many benefits for both infants and caregivers. 💛

❤️ Promotes bonding and emotional security

Being close to a parent helps babies feel safe and protected.

The warmth, heartbeat, scent, and voice of a caregiver provide comfort and support healthy emotional development.

🧠 Supports nervous system development

Babies are born with an immature nervous system.

Close physical contact helps regulate:
✔️ heart rate
✔️ breathing
✔️ body temperature
✔️ stress responses

This is one reason why carried babies often seem calmer.

😴 May help soothe crying

Research suggests that babies who are carried regularly may cry less during the first months of life.

Movement, touch, and parental presence can have a naturally calming effect.

🦴 Supports healthy physical development

When a baby is positioned correctly in a well-fitted sling or carrier:
✔️ the hips are supported in a healthy position
✔️ the spine maintains a natural curve
✔️ the baby can observe the world while remaining secure

👨‍👩‍👧 Benefits for parents too

Babywearing allows caregivers to:
✔️ keep their baby close
✔️ move more freely
✔️ strengthen attachment and confidence in caregiving

✨ The key message

A sling is much more than a way to carry a baby.

💙 It provides comfort, connection, and support for healthy development during one of the most important stages of life.

Yours,

Dr Aleksandra 🦋

14/06/2026

👶👁️ Conjunctivitis in Infants — Is It Always an Eye Infection?
Many parents become worried when they notice sticky eyes, tearing, or discharge in their baby. While conjunctivitis can be the cause, there is another very common reason in infants: blocked tear ducts 💛
🧠 What are tear ducts and why are they important?
Tear ducts are tiny channels that drain tears from the eyes into the nose.
Their job is to:�✔️ keep the eyes moist and comfortable�✔️ remove dust and debris�✔️ help protect the eyes from infection
In many newborns, these ducts are not fully open at birth, leading to a condition called nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blocked tear duct).
👀 What symptoms can occur?
● persistent tearing
● watery eyes
● yellow or white discharge
● eyelids sticking together, especially after sleep
Unlike conjunctivitis, the white part of the eye is often not very red.
🤲 How can parents help?
Gentle tear duct massage may help open the duct naturally:
✔️ Wash your hands
✔️ Using a clean finger, gently massage the inner corner of the eye near the nose
✔️ Apply gentle downward pressure several times a day
✔️ Clean discharge with sterile saline or cooled boiled water and a clean cotton pad
Most blocked tear ducts resolve spontaneously during the first year of life.
🩺 When should you see a doctor?
Contact your pediatrician if:
● the eye becomes very red
● swelling develops around the eye
● there is significant pus-like discharge
● your baby develops fever
● symptoms persist beyond the first year of life
✨ The key message
Sticky eyes in infants are often caused by a blocked tear duct rather than a serious infection. With gentle care and patience, most cases improve naturally.
Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

12/06/2026

🌊👶 “I Think My Child Got Sick from Sea Water” — When Should You See a Pediatrician?
Summer means beach days, splashing in the sea, and unfortunately… sometimes swallowing a little too much sea water! 🌞
In most cases, a small amount of sea water causes no serious problems. However, parents should know when symptoms may require medical attention.
🤢 What symptoms can occur after swallowing sea water?
The high salt content can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing:
● nausea
● vomiting
● diarrhea
● abdominal pain
Some children may also develop mild coughing after accidentally inhaling water.
🦠 Can sea water cause infections?
Yes, although it is uncommon.
Sea water may contain bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can occasionally lead to:
● gastroenteritis
● ear infections
● skin infections
● respiratory infections
🚨 When should you contact a pediatrician?
Seek medical advice if your child:
● has persistent vomiting or diarrhea
● develops signs of dehydration
● has a high or persistent fever
● experiences severe abdominal pain
● becomes unusually sleepy or lethargic
● develops persistent coughing, wheezing, or breathing difficulties after water exposure
🏖️ Prevention tips
✔️ Encourage children not to drink sea water
✔️ Take regular breaks for fresh water
✔️ Avoid swimming after heavy rainfall, when water quality may be poorer
✔️ Shower after swimming when possible
✨ The key message
Most children who swallow some sea water will recover without any problems. The main concerns are dehydration, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, or breathing difficulties, which should prompt medical evaluation.
💙 A little sea water is usually harmless — but knowing the warning signs helps keep summer safe and enjoyable.
Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

09/06/2026

💧👶 How to Recognize Signs of Dehydration in a Young Child?

Dehydration is one of the most common complications of childhood illnesses, especially during episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or poor fluid intake.

Young children can become dehydrated much faster than adults, so it is important for parents to recognize the warning signs early.

⚠️ Common signs of dehydration:

💧 Dry lips and mouth

👶 Fewer wet diapers than usual (or no wet diaper for 6–8 hours)

🚽 Reduced urination in older children

😢 Crying with few or no tears

😴 Unusual sleepiness, fatigue, or irritability

👀 Sunken eyes

🧒 Cool hands and feet

🚨 Seek medical attention urgently if your child:

* is unable to keep fluids down
* is very sleepy or difficult to wake
* has not urinated for many hours
* has persistent vomiting or severe diarrhea
* shows signs of rapid breathing or poor responsiveness

🏡 What can parents do?

✔️ Offer small amounts of fluid frequently

✔️ Continue breastfeeding if applicable

✔️ Use oral rehydration solutions when recommended

✔️ Monitor wet diapers and urine output

✨ The key message

When a child is ill, hydration is often more important than food. Recognizing dehydration early can prevent serious complications and help your child recover safely.

Yours,
Dr Aleksandra 🦋

Dr Aleksandra Gajecka - Pediatrician in Malta

07/08/2026

27/07/2026

16/07/2026

10/07/2026

06/07/2026

21/06/2026

19/06/2026

14/06/2026

12/06/2026

09/06/2026

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