MD, DPPS
Maria Carmela Villania-Mamauag is a board certified diplomate of the Philippine Pediatric Society with a degree of Doctor of Medicine from Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City and a Bachelor in Science in Psychology from Saint Louis University, Baguio City which was augmented by a year of Bachelor in Science in Family Life and Child development at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
She has worked as a pediatrician in both public and private hospitals in Metro Manila for nine years. She is a mother of two boys, and a proud breastfeeding advocate. She is also working with a group of obstetricians and midwives who advocate water births and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) procedures.
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A reflex is an involuntary or automatic action to a response. Primitive reflexes in babies originate from the central nervous system and indicate a healthy baby. Conversely, the absence of these fundamental reflexes may imply neurological conditions and hence is a cause for concern. There are various types of primitive reflexes. Read on to know…
Strokes in teenagers are an uncommon health condition that has serious consequences. It is one of the top ten causes of death among adolescents (1). So what is this condition? A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. The brain requires a constant supply of oxygen to function; this oxygen is…
It is important to understand a toddler\'s napping needs since the right amount of sleep helps them stay active throughout the day. So when do toddlers stop napping, and what signs indicate them? A toddler needs nearly 12 to 14 hours of sleep in a day. This is distributed among the uninterrupted night sleep plus…
Balanitis refers to inflammation of the head or glans of the penis. Balanitis in children is mostly self-resolving within two to three days. The condition may occur at any age but is frequently seen in boys below the age of five years as they won\'t retract or clean under the foreskin of a penis. Conservative…
The curiosity of most children about what the human body is made of is off the charts. To help you quench their thirst for this topic, we bring you some interesting facts about the human body for kids in this post. Their eagerness and excitement to learn more are absolutely adorable and showcase their keen…
Many parents look for interesting facts about eyes for kids to educate their little ones about eyes and their functioning. The eyes are the second most complex organ after the brain, allowing vision. Human eyes can differentiate about 10 million colors, and vision is one of the five senses. Nearly 80% of information is learned…
A baby cooing is perhaps the most pleasant sound for a parent. While the tiny ones announce their entry into the world through crying, cooing is their first language and communication cue. It is one of the first crucial milestones they develop in their first year. No wonder it is no less than soothing music…
A premature baby’s survival rate and development may vary depending on how early they are born before the due date. Nearly 15 million babies are born prematurely, and in the US, one in every 10 babies are preemies (1) (2). Significant developments occur in the fetus during each week of pregnancy; hence, prematurely born babies…
Viral rash in children, also known as viral exanthem, occurs when the skin is inflamed due to a viral infection (1). The rash may be in one spot (localized) or on the entire body (widespread), appearing as bumps, reddish-pink blotches, pimples, or blisters. In rare cases, the rash may cause itching, stinging, or a burning…
The term 6-month-old sleep regression indicates a change in the sleeping pattern of babies of that age. However, this is nothing to worry about and a reason to celebrate since it is a milestone. It is natural for babies to change their sleeping schedules at six months. As a result, the sleeping pattern established during…
Most babies begin to stand independently and even walk with support at around 12 months. These developmental milestones are exciting for you and the baby, but these newly learned skills enable a toddler to climb out of the crib (1). A toddler climbing out of the crib or cradle is scary since it could cause…
Zyrtec for kids is available for oral intake as tablets, dissolving tablets, chewables tablets, and syrups. It is also available as grape- or bubble-gum-flavored chewables or syrup for convenience. Effects of Zyrtec in children may begin within an hour after intake and last for about a day (12-24 hours). Zyrtec, commonly known by the generic…
Hypothyroidism in babies or neonatal hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the baby’s thyroid gland produces insufficient or no thyroid hormones (hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism). It is also called congenital hypothyroidism, as the baby may have an under-functioning thyroid gland at birth. All newborns are screened for congenital hypothyroidism before being…
After the birth of a baby, it is natural that you’d like to take them out and introduce the world to your newborn. But wait, when can you take a newborn outside? A newborn's first outing could be exciting yet daunting for a parent because of the dos and don’ts that tag along. You must…
Most newborn, infant, or baby behaviors are adorable and surprising to their parents, and they may love watching them doing it. However, some behaviors, such as baby headbanging, may raise concerns and worries in parents. Many babies and toddlers engage in headbanging as a self-comforting technique to reduce frustration, pain, or boredom (1). Although it…
Mono in kids is a common viral infection characterized by fatigue, sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Mono or infectious mononucleosis is also known as glandular fever or kissing disease. The disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of the herpes virus family. It is a highly transmissible infection that can spread through…
It is not uncommon to have children complain of frequent stomach aches, especially if they eat out often. Parents may consider over-the-counter medications, such as Pepto-Bismol for kids, in such cases. Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth Subsalicylate) is considered a safe and effective medication for gastrointestinal troubles such as acid reflux, diarrhea, and indigestion. But can kids take…
When do you stop burping a baby? New parents may often wonder about it. Burping is a part of your baby\'s feeding regimen to assist your baby to release the excess gas from the tummy that they tend to ingest while feeding (1). It is believed to assist your child to avoid spitting up and…
Coffee is a popular beverage across the world. While some older teens may consume it occasionally, can you consider coffee for babies? The principal substance of coffee is caffeine, which is known to be a stimulantiXA class of medications that expedite the transmission of information between the brain and the body. , improving mental alertness.…
Mongolian blue spots, also referred to as congenital dermal melanocytosis, slate gray nevus, dermal melanocytosis, or lumbosacral dermal melanocytosis, are a type of birthmarks having a flat, blue or blue-gray appearance. These spots appear at the base of the spine or in the areas of the upper back, buttocks, or shoulders. Some babies may have…
The brand Zoloft is the name of a generic drug, sertraline hydrochloride. The drug belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) family and is prescribed as an antidepressant (1). While administering Zoloft for kids with depressive symptoms, weighing its benefits against risks is important. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that transfers messages between nerve cells…
The little sleep you get is a luxury after attending to the baby\'s needs most of the day and night. But sometimes, the baby may wake up soon, costing you this rest time. This may often leave you wondering, “Why does my baby wake up too early?” In that case, this is the post you…
Calcium is an essential mineral for all ages. The benefits of calcium for kids include the development of strong bones and teeth. This mineral is available in several food sources, such as fortified cereals, dairy products, and certain vegetables. If children do not get sufficient calcium for a long period, they may develop calcium deficiency,…