The document discusses preventive medicine in obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatrics, focusing on maternal and child health (MCH) concepts and objectives such as reducing mortality and promoting physical and psychological development. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of maternal and child health, detailing problems like malnutrition, infections, and uncontrolled reproduction, while outlining direct and indirect interventions to improve health outcomes. The author highlights the importance of social factors in reproductive health and the role of preventive pediatrics in community health care services.

1. Preventive Medicine in
Obstetrics, Paediatrics and
Geriatrics
Dr. Jayaramachandran S
Associate Professor
Department of Community Medicine

2. At the end of this session, you will be able to
ü Explain the concept of Preventive Medicine in Obstetrics,
Paediatrics and Geriatrics
ü Enumerate and discuss the MCH Problems

3. Maternal and Child Health
The term MCH refers to Promotive, Preventive, Curative, Rehabilitative
Health Care for Mothers and Children.

4. Maternal and Child Health includes
Family
Planning
Maternal
Health
Child
Health
Differently
abled Children
School
Health
Adolescence Day Care

5. Objectives of Maternal and Child Health
• Reduction of Maternal, Perinatal, Infant and Childhood Mortality and
Morbidity.
• Promotion of Reproductive Health.
• Promotion of Physical and Psychological development of the child and
adolescent within the Family.
• Ultimate aim of MCH services :

6. Maternal and Child Health
• Mothers and Children comprise 71.14% of population of developing
countries.
• Women of Child bearing age(15-44yrs) – 22 %
• Children under 15 years age – 35 %
• Total they constitute about 57 % of Population

7. Mother and Child – One Unit
• During antenatal period fetus is part of mother
• Child health is closely related to maternal health
• Diseases in mother during pregnancy affects fetus – measles, drugs
• After birth child is dependent upon mother
• Mother is the first teacher of child

8. Role of Preventive & Social Medicine
• Obstetrics is largely Preventive Medicine
• Aim of every Pregnancy is Healthy Mother & Healthy Baby
• Social Obstetrics is study of interplay of Social & Environmental
Factors which influence human reproduction – age at marriage, child
spacing, economic status, level of education, customs and beliefs, role
of women in society.

9. Role of Preventive & Social Medicine
• Preventive Paediatrics comprises efforts to avert rather than cure
disease.
• Social Paediatrics is delivery of comprehensive child health care
services and bring it to the reach of the community.

10. Stages of Maternity Cycle
1. Fertilization
2. Antenatal or Prenatal period
3. Intra-natal period
4. Postnatal period
5. Inter conceptional period

11. Periods of Growth
• Prenatal Period
• Ovum : 0 – 14 days
• Embryo: 14 days – 9 weeks
• Foetus : 9th week – birth
• Premature Infant: 28 – 37 weeks
• Full Term : 280 days (40 weeks)

12. Maternal and Child Health Problem
ü Malnutrition
ü Infection
ü Uncontrolled Reproduction

13. 1. Malnutrition – Adverse Effects
1. Maternal Depletion
2. Low Birth Weight
3. Anaemia
4. Toxemia of Pregnancy
5. Post Partum Hemorrhage

14. Direct Interventions to improve Nutrition
Supplementary
feeding
programmes
Distribution
of IFA
Fortification
and
enrichment
of foods
Nutrition
Education

15. Indirect Interventions to improve Nutrition

16. 2. Infection – Maternal infections causes
a) Fetal Growth Retardation
b) Low Birth Weight
c) Embryopathy
d) Abortion
e) Puerperal Sepsis
f) TORCH infections

17. Prevention of Infections in children
1. Tuberculosis
2. Diphtheria
3. Whooping Cough
4. Tetanus
5. Measles
6. Polio
Immunization against six
vaccine preventable diseases

18. Prevention of Infections in children
Education to Mothers
• Oral Rehydration in diarrhoea and febrile illnesses
• Good knowledge and practice of personal hygiene
• Appropriate Sanitation measures

19. 3. Uncontrolled Reproduction – Hazard
a) Low Birth Weight Babies
b) Severe Anaemia
c) Abortion
d) Antepartum haemorrhage
e) High Maternal & Perinatal Mortality
f) High Birth Rate is associated with high IMR and high Under 5 Death
Rate.

20. The test of any civilization is the
measure of consideration and care
which it gives to its weaker members
Any Questions?