TEACHING PROGRAMMES

The Department is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching:

UNDERGRADUATE

• PRECLINICAL PROGRAMME

The Department is committed to the process of delivering to undergraduate students the main concepts and principles of child health that will help them to undertake their internship duties safely and also decide on their future postgraduate studies.

The Department has structured teaching activities for students lead by Education Committee of the Department. The students have different components of assessment during the rotations and at the end of the rotation, organized by the clinical coordinators and monitored by the Department’s Examination Committee.

Members of the Department are also involved in the preclinical courses in the COMHS: The Clinical Communication and Clinical Skills courses.

• CLINICAL PROGRAMME

Currently all the Pre-clerkship, Junior Clerkship and Senior Clerkship programs are running smoothly. Our Pre-Internship programme offers hands-on experience of the practice of paediatrics to medical students and has been running successfully. The Department also participates in Integrated Modules II and III which takes around 50 students every spring and fall semesters.

POSTGRADUATE TEACHING

The morning meetings provide an hour of clinical teaching every day in the form of paediatric scientific clinical meetings, case presentations, mortality and morbidity, grand rounds, histopathology meetings and clinical radiological meetings. In addition to this, there are weekly presentations for interns, and monthly journal clubs.

The Department has around 10-20 pediatric interns per group rotating on quarterly basis, coordinated by Dr. Hilal Al Mandhari.  At any time of the year, the Department is having 5–10 OMSB pediatric residents for training. Each year, three members of staff are invited to give presentations to Family Medicine & Public Health residents on common childhood diseases. One member of the taff is invited yearly to deliver a clinical presentation to the Emergency Department residents.

Senior department members contribute to the Post-graduate research programs outside the Department and act as Supervisors and Judges for their research day.

The Department conducts successful yearly examination leading to Membership of the Royal College of Paediatric & Child Health (MRCPCH). 

TRAINING COURSES AND CME ACTIVITIES

The Department actively contributes to the following training courses: Neonatal Advance Resuscitation Course (three times a year), Paediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) (five times a year), also with excellent contribution towards other courses offered by SQUH such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Pain Management and the MRCPCH Preparatory Course (once a year).

The Department conducts high quality research with state-of-the-art support from the genetic laboratories producing publications in high impact peer reviewed indexed journals. Collaboration with international centers of excellence in paediatrics has benefited a large number of sick children, especially those with haematological diseases.

Publications and Researches

A. Published in SQU Journal
 

1. Koul R, Sankhla D, AlJahdhami S,Mani R, ARahim R, AlYarubi S, Al Kindy H, AlTihilli K, AlFutaisi A. Rigid spine syndrome among children in Oman. SQU Med Journal. 2015,15:364-369.

2. Koul R, A Rahim A, Kariyattil R, Sankhla D. Anterior inferior Cerebellar artery loop induced paroxysmal otalgia in a child. SQU Med Journal. 2015; 15:438-439.
3. Koul R, AlOmairi AH , ARahim R, Mani R, Sankhla D. Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in a child with Acute Cerebellitis. Sultan Qaboos University Med J. 2015;15:499-500.

4. Al Nabhani S , Alabri H,Alabri I, Venugopal P, Koul R. Common peroneal nerve mononeuropathy due to an amniotic constriction band. Sultan Qaboos University Med J. 2015, 15:501-502.

5. Ur Rahman A., Abdellatif M., Sharef W.S. Al Sinaidi K., Fazallulah M., Khan A., Ahmed M., Kripail M., Abuanza M., Bataclan M.F. , Changing Survival Rate Of Infants Born Before 26 Gestational Weeks: Single-Center Study, Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015 Aug 24 Vol 15, (3), pp 321-56.

6. Bhatti K., Al-Balushi Z.N., Sherif M.H., Al-Sibai S.M., Khan A.A., Batacalan M.F., Montemayor C.C., Fazallulah M., Ahmed M., Ur Rahman A., Reyes Z., Kripail M., Abdellatif M., Factors Responsible for the prolonged stay of surgical neonates in intensive care units, Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015 Feb 15.


7. Udayakumar A.U., Al-Mamari W., Al-Sayegh A., Al-Kindy A., "De Novo Duplication of 7p21.1p22.2 in a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Craniofacial Dysmorphism" Published at Sultan Qaboos University Med J, August 2015, Vol. 15 (3) pp. e415–19, Epub. 24 Aug 15.\

8. Al-Mamari W, Emam M., Al-Futaisi A., and Kazem A., Comorbidity of Learning Disabilities and ADHD in a sample of Omani School Children. Sultan Qaboos University Med J, November 2015, Vol. 15, (4), pp. e528–33, Epub. 23 Nov 15.

9. Al-Senaidi K., Ullah I., Javad H., Al-Khabori M., Al-Yaarubi S., Echocardiographic Evidence of Early Diastolic Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Sultan Qaboos University Med J, November 2015, Vol. 15, (4), pp. e456–62, Epub. 23 Nov 15.

10. Al Nabhani D., El Naggari MA., El-Manzalawy A., Abdemogeth AA., Posterior Reversib;e Encephalopathy Syndrome in Two Omani Children with Underlying Renal Disease. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. August 2015, Vol. 15, (3), pp. e424–28, Epub. 24 Aug 15.

11. Sharef SW, Al-Sinani S, Al-Naamani K, Al-Zakwani I, Reyes ZS, Al-Ryiami H, Khan AA, Al-Mamari W. Incidence and Risk Factors of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis in Omani Neonates: Single-centre experience. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015 May; 15(2):e234-40. Epub 2015 May 28

1. UNDER PUBLICATION (IN THE PRESS)
 

1. Mohamed El-Naggari, Ibtisam El Nour, Dana Al-Nabhani, Zakaria Al Muharrmi, Heba Gaafar, Anas Al Wogoud Abdelmogeth. Nocardia asteroides peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: First case in pediatrics, treated with protracted linezolid. JIPH-498 (2015)

B. Published in other Mediacl Journal

1. Sharef W.S, Ullah I, Al-Shidhani A., Al-Farsi T., Al-Yaarubi S. Switching to Multiple Daily Insulin Injections in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Revisiting Benefits from Oman, Oman Medical Journal [2015], Vol. 30, No. 2: 83–89.

2. Elalfy MS, Adly AM, Wali Y, Tony S, Samir A, Elhenawy YI. Efficacy and safety of a novel combination of two oral chelators deferasirox/deferiprone over deferoxamine/deferiprone in severely iron overloaded young beta thalassemia major patients. Eur J Haematol. 2015 Jan 20. [Epub ahead of print]

3. 76. Al-Balushi Z, Wali Y, Al-Rawas AH, Rabah F, Beshlawi I. Right Iliac Fossa Pain: Appendicitis is Not Always the Answer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2015 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print]

4. De Sanctis V, Soliman A.T., Wali Y., Elsedfy H., Daar S., Al-Yaarubi S., Tony S., Elshinawy M., Al-Subhi T., Al-Rawas A, Al-Muslehi M., El Kholy M., Selected Highlights of the VIII International Symposium of Clinicians for Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia and Adolescent Medicine (ICET-A) on Growth, Puberty and Endocrine Complications in Thalassaemia. Auditorium of the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) Muscat. Pediatric endocrinology reviews: Mar. 2015; 12(3):239-248.

5. 78. Nazir HF, Al Lawati T, Beshlawi I, AlSharidah S, Elshinawy M, Alkasim F, Khanani MF, Tarawa A, Al Subhi T, Alrawas A, Al Riyami W, Al Kindi S, Al Saadi K, Al-Lamki S, Wali Y. Mode of delivery and risk of intracranial haemorrhage in newborns with severe haemophilia A: a multicentre study in Gulf region. Haemophilia. 2015 Nov 11. [Epub ahead of print]

6. Al-Mamari W., Al-Sayegh A., Al-Kindy A., Bruwer Z., Al-Murshedi F., Al-Thihli K., Diagnostic yield of chromosomal microarray analysis in a cohort of patients with autism spectrum disorders from a highly consanguineous population" Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. August 2015, Volume 45, (8), pp 2323-28.

7. Jeya balaji RV, Rajiv PK , Patel VR, Kripail M., Outcome of Early CPAP in the management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in Premature Babies with < 32 weeks of Gestation , A Prospective Observational study” Indian Journal of Neonatal Medicine and Research: 2015 April, Vol-4 (2):1-6.

8. Rabah F, Al-Senaidi K, Beshlawi I, Alnair A, Abdelmogheth AA. Echocardiography in PICU: when the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2015 Nov 11. [Epub ahead of print]

9. Javad H, Al-Sineidi K, Abdelmogheth AA, Sankhla D, Al-Dhuhli H, Azzawi SI, El-Naggari MA. Vascular Anomalies in Children Misdiagnosed with Asthma: Case series. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015 Feb; 15(1):e136-9. Epub 2015 Jan 21

10. Abdwani R, Abdulla E, Al Yaarubi S, Beherhi H, Al Zakwani I. Bone mineral Density in Juvenile Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Indian Pediatr. 2015 Jan; 52(1):38-40.

11. Abdwani R, Abrawi S, Abdalla E, Al Thuhli K Homozygous R92Q variant in the TNFRSF1A gene causing TRAPS in two siblings displaying variable disease severity and discordant heterozygosity for an MEVF E148Q variant.. The Journal of Rheumatology 2015; 42(8):1534-1535.

12. Abdwani R, Abdalla E, Al Abrawi S, Al Zakwani I. Epidemiology of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Oman –. Pediatric Rheumatology. 2015 August 1, 13:33.

13. Sharef SW, El-Naggari M, Al-Nabhani D, Al Sawai A, Al Muharrmi Z, Elnour I. Incidence of antibiotics resistance among uropathogens in Omani children presenting with a single episode of urinary tract infection. J Infect Public Health. 2015 Sep-Oct; 8(5):458-65.

14. Rabah F, Al-Nabhani D, Al-Rahbi N, Elnour IB. Quiz Page November 2015: Hematuria in a Child With Tuberous Sclerosis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2015 Nov; 66(5):A18-21.

15. Abdelmogheth A A., Al-Shahrabally A, Alnair A.,, Dhande N.R. Non-Invasive Ventilation in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: An Experience of Tertiary Care Hospital Over 4 Years in Oman; British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, ISSN: 2231-0614, 2015 March Vol. 7,(7). pp 561-66.

16. Sharef SW., El-Naggari M., Al-Nabhani D., Al Shirawi A., Al Muharrmi Z., Elnour I.B. Incidence of antibiotics resistance among uropathogens in Omani children presented with a single episode of urinary tract infection. JIPH. 2015 Sep-Oct;8(5):458-65.

17. Al-Zadjali S. Al- Tamimi S, Elnour IB, et al. Clinical and molecular findings of chronic granulomatous disease in Oman: family studies. Clin Genet. Clin Genet. 2015 Feb;87(2):185-9.

C. Posters presented in Conference Proceedings 

International:

1. Wali Y, Nazir H., Lawati T.,, et al. Intracranial Haemorrhage and Mode of delivery in Newborns with Haemophilia A, Multi Centre Experience from the Gulf. Managing Haemophilia for life Meeting, 2-3 May 2015, Cape Town, South Africa.

2. Tony Mevada S., Al Dhuhli S.A, Zachariah M., Wali Y. Liver Enzymes Changes in Children with Thalassemia Major on Deferasirox therapy. First Pan Arab Thalassaemia & Haemoglobinopathies Conference (PATH 2015), Abu Dhabi, UAE 19-21 Nov 2015

3. Tony Mevada S., Al Sadoon M., Zachariah M., Wali Y. Impact of Burden of Thalassemia major on Health related Quality of Life in Omani Children. 20th Congress of the European Hematolology Association in Vienna, Austria 11-14 June 2015.

4. Ur Rahman S., Long term prophylaxis of Hereditary Angioedena using C1 Esterase Inhibitor. 3rd Middle East Asia Allergy Asthma Immunology Congress Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dec 12, 2015; and Root Cause Analysis Workshop April 28-30, 2015, Training Directorate SQUH

5. Zachariah M., Tony Mevada S., Al Rawas, A., Wali Y., Predictors of liver disease in patients with homozygous thalassemia major on blood – ASPHO Annual Meeting “Pediatric Blood and Cancer” 28th Annual Meeting in Phoenix, May 6-9, 2015

6. Zachariah M., Al Rawas, A., Wali Y., Effect of combination of iron chelation therapy in homozygous Beta Thalassemia children with heavy iron – ASPHO Annual Meeting “Pediatric Blood and Cancer” 28th Annual Meeting in Phoenix, May 6-9, 2015

7. Rabah F, Elnour I.B., El-Naggari M., Al-Nabhani D., Amlodipine double-edged sword. The 48th European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Annual Meeting. Brussels, Balgain. 3-5 September 2015.

8. Rabah F., Beshlawi I., Elnour I.B., El-Naggari M., Fawzy H., Al-Nabhani D. Determining the etiology of pediatric hypertension; a hard nut to crack. The 48th European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Annual Meeting. Brussels, Balgain. 3-5 September 2015.

9. Rabah F, Al-Nabhani D., Al-Thihli K., El-Naggari M. Al-Riyami M., Elnour I.B. A child with Phenylketonuria and Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, the bright side of proteinuria. The 48th European Society for Paediatric Nephrology Annual Meeting. Brussels, Balgain. 3-5 September 2015.

10. El Nour I.B., Ricketssia Induced atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, Advisory group for aHUS, 9th January 2015, Dubai
11. Abdelmogeth AA., Pattern of Bacterial and Fungal Infection and Antimicrobial Therapy in PICU Oman: A 5-Year Experience. The 26th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal and Intensive Care (ESPNIC 2015) Vilnius, Luthania June 12-15 2015.

12. Abdelmogeth AA., Non-Invasive Ventillation in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: An Experience of Tertiary Care Hospital Over 4-Years in Oman: The 26th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal and Intensive Care (ESPNIC 2015) Vilnius, Luthania June 12-15 2015. 

Local:

1. Kripail M., “Advanced Neonatal Care and Common Neonatal Problems”. National Neonatal Conference. 25th April 2015. Ibri Regional Hospital, Ibri Oman

2. Ur Rahman S., Long term prophylaxis of Hereditary Angioedena using C1 Esterase Inhibitor. Root Cause Analysis Workshop April 28-30, 2015, Training Directorate SQUH Oman

D. Published as a Book Chapter

1. Al Lamki Z., Part VI “Cancer Care in Region/Societies in Transition: In Gulf States. Book title Cancer Care in Countries in Transition: Individualized Care in Focus. Editor Mchael Silbermann. Springer in Print 2015.

Procedures Offered by Child Health Department

Neurology            -  EEG, EMG, Nerve Conduction Velocity, BAER, SSEP, VEP, 24 hours’ video EEG

Gastroenterology  -  Endoscopy, Colonoscopy

Pulmonology        -  Bronchoscopy, Sleep Studies

Immunology        -  Skin Test

Nephrology         -  Peritoneal dialysis, continuous venovenous hemofiltration

Haematology        -  Exchange transfusions, plasmapheresis, Port-A-Cath access, BMA, BM biopsy, intra-thecal chemotherapy

Dermatology        -  Skin biopsy

PICU                   -  Central line insertion

Services to Emergency Department

 A total of 13053 pediatric patients were seen and consulted by the Paediatric On-Call Team for the whole year.

Paediatric Out-Patient Service

Table 1: The Paediatric Clinic is open on all working days of the week with the following schedules of OPD clinics.

Participation in Community Service:

We take great pride in continuing to serve the community, raising funds to serve children with all kinds of special needs in various ways. School Health Education programme has been an innovative initiative from the Department, addressing issues of healthy life style, alcohol and drug abuse, obesity/ healthy diet for children, studying in various schools. We provide consultancies in Gulf area, Bahrain, Kuwait, India and local Hospitals in Oman for Hematology cases. We offer parents counseling and education for Home Ventilation.

  Child Health Department is also active in participating in Media awareness through Radio   and TV for Paediatric Hematology/Oncology Diseases; Autism; Asthma and Immunological Diseases. Three Members of the Department Are Associate Editors of SQUMJ and four Members, of Oman Medical Journal; both Journals are PubMed and Scopus indexed. The Department helps in awareness campaigns of Genetic Blood Disorders and Juvenile Diabetes. We extend our free service to sick children in Orphanages.

Organizing Conferences:

      Organized Epilepsy Awareness Day March 2018.

Participation in National and Regional Committees:

The Department members continuously contributed to various external and internal committees:

Dr. Hussein Al Kindy is the Chairman of the Program Evaluation Committee and a member of the Simulation and Examination subcommittees of the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB).  He serves as council member of the Asian Paediatric Pulmonology Society (APPS) and the first Arab person in this society.  He is also a board member of the Asian Society of Sleep Medicine, and also a member of Middle East Cystic Fibrosis Association (MECFA).  Prof. Yasser Wali serves as Program Director of Pediatrics in OMSB.  Dr. Salem Al Tamemi, is a member of the Immunization Committee, Ministry of Health. Dr. Amna Al Futaisi, is a current member of the Medical Promotion Committee, Ministry of Diwan and Chairperson of Examination Committee in OMSB.  Some members of our department serve as Technical Experts to the Higher Medical Committee (HMC) for cases involving various pediatric specialities such as Hematology and Oncology, Nephrology, Neonatology, Neurology.  The Dean of the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Assistant Professor Dr. Muna Al Saadoon, is a member of the State Council and member of National Committee of Bioethics. She was also appointed as a board member of the Arab Association to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect.

Department of Child Health

College of Medicine & Health Sciences

Sultan Qaboos University

PO Box: 35, Al Khoudh, PC 123 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Phone:  (+968) 24143406 (College Coordinator)

E-mail:  chdept@squ.edu.om.