General Pediatric Department /FMF, GI tract and adolescent diseases/

May 16 marks World Celiac Disease Awareness Day, dedicated to raising awareness about this chronic autoimmune condition. Celiac disease develops due to the body’s immune response to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. This immune reaction leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine, impairing nutrient absorption. The condition can be inherited or acquired, and while it may appear at any age, it often presents with:  🔹 Constipation or diarrhea  🔹 Bloating  🔹 Growth delay, short stature, and delayed puberty in children At Arabkir Medical Center, celiac disease remains a key focus for the Gastroenterology Service, with over 100 children currently under supervision for this condition. As part of our commitment to advanced care, our specialists are also participating in the 57th Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), where the latest developments in celiac disease management are being discussed. Dr. Siranush Pashinyan, pediatric and adult gastroenterologist at Arabkir, shared her expertise in an interview with Public Television's “News” program:  May 16 is World Celiac Disease Awareness Day. It is an immune disease diagnosed in people with a hereditary predisposition who consume foods containing gluten.  Siranush Pashinyan, a pediatric and adult gastroenterologist at the Arabkir Medical Center, says: "Gluten is a protein found in certain types of grains—wheat, rye, and barley. Most often, people consume it through flour, which contains gluten. When gluten enters the body, the immune system reacts, resulting in chronic inflammation in the intestines. This leads to serious health problems." The disease can manifest at any age, and the symptoms can vary. Siranush Pashinyan continues: "Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, recurring abdominal pain, and bloating. In older children, for example, growth retardation, short stature, delayed sexual maturation, bone damage, and increased bone fragility due to impaired nutrient absorption may occur. In some cases, the disease can be completely asymptomatic." There are also non-digestive symptoms, such as hair loss and neurological issues. Some diseases can also be associated with celiac disease. So how is it diagnosed. Siranush Pashinyan explains: "The first step is an immunological test called the tissue transglutaminase antibody test. A healthy person who does not have celiac disease is very unlikely to have elevated levels of these antibodies in the blood. A positive result is considered a clinical indicator. The next step is to take biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract." The specialist also notes the primary method of treating celiac disease: maintaining a strict diet. Siranush Pashinyan says: "The only treatment is a gluten-free diet. Gluten must be completely eliminated from the diet. If the patient has pronounced symptoms, positive changes are typically observed within 2–3 weeks." In case of symptoms, self-medication should be avoided, and a doctor should be consulted. Siranush Pashinyan adds: "Our medical center has a pediatric gastroenterology dispensary monitoring service, where children with chronic gastrointestinal diseases up to the age of 18 are monitored. More than 300 children are currently under supervision, over 100 of whom have been diagnosed with celiac disease."  These children are under continuous monitoring to ensure they follow a proper diet and are not deficient in essential vitamins.

What is hand-foot-mouth disease, how does it manifest, what consequences can it lead to, and how can it be prevented? Astghik Mirzakhanyan, a pediatrician at Arabkir Medical Center, provides insights on these important questions as part of the #OpenFamilyEducation program.

Dear parents, please take a moment to read the valuable advice of Sergey Sargsyan, Head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health at Arabkir Medical Center and Consultant in Pediatrics for the Ministry of Health. Armenia is currently experiencing a period of acute respiratory infections (ARI), which are common during this season. For most cases of ARI, specific treatment is not required. These can often be managed at home or on an outpatient basis with the following care: Temperature control using antipyretics (for temperatures above 38.5°C) Adequate hydration and fluid intake Nasal irrigation Pain relief Proper nutrition It's important to assess the child's health condition with a family doctor or pediatrician. When should you consult a doctor immediately? Severe weakness or irritability Convulsions Uncontrollable high fever Repeated vomiting Rapid or labored breathing (including “belly breathing”) Severe earache, especially bilateral Severe sore throat, making it difficult to swallow even liquids Pneumonia is a severe complication of influenza and SARS. While it is less common in adolescents, it can still be severe, especially in children with chronic illnesses. Pneumonia causes lung damage that can lead to oxygen deprivation, affecting the heart, brain, and other vital organs. In such cases, antimicrobial treatment is necessary and should only be prescribed by a doctor. Antibiotics should not be used unnecessarily. The risk of influenza and ARI complications, especially pneumonia, can be significantly reduced by: Breastfeeding A balanced diet Vaccinations Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke A healthy lifestyle and physical activity Wearing appropriate clothing for the weather (especially for adolescents) Don't forget simple preventive measures for ARIs: isolating the patient as much as possible, ensuring proper ventilation, and disinfecting surfaces. Consultant for Pediatrics at the Ministry of Health, Sergey Sargsyan   *Material from the Ministry of Health website.

Constipation in children: In this #OpenFamilyEducation session, Armen Abrahamyan, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Arabkir Medical Center, provides valuable insights.   Listen, stay informed, and make the right decisions when you notice any issues with your child's digestive health.

What is celiac disease? Why does it occur? How does it manifest? What should and shouldn’t be done if celiac disease is suspected? As part of #OPENFamilyEducation, Dr. Siranush Pashinyan, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Arabkir Medical Center, provided a brief overview of the condition.

A reminder about antibiotics: do not self-prescribe, do not interrupt the prescribed course, and follow all medical guidelines. Listen to Sergey Sargsyan, pediatrician and head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health at the "Arabkir" Medical Center, as he discusses this important topic.   Covered by the Public TV Company’s "News" program.  

Երեխայի լյարդի փոխպատվաստման հերթական վիրահատությունն «Արաբկիր» բժշկական համալիրում բարեհաջող է անցել: Չնայած դեպքը բավական բարդ էր, քանի որ երեխան ուներ ստանդարտից դուրս հավելյալ զարկերակ, այնուամենայնիվ, հայ եւ բելառուս բժիշկների թիմին հաջողվել է 14 ժամ տեւած վիրահատությունից հետո ստանալ լավ արդյունք: 12-ամյա տղան իրեն լավ է զգում, գտնվում է բժիշկների հսկողության ներքո` անցնելով հետվիրահատական խնամքի ոչ պակաս բարդ ճանապարհ` ինտենսիվ թերապիայի բաժանմունքում:   Ալբերտը, նրա ընտանիքն ու բժիշկները մեծ դժվարությունների առջեւ կկանգնեին, եթե չունենային Հայաստանի երեխաների առողջության հիմնադրամ - HFC Armenia-ի անգնահատելի աջակցությունը: Հիմնադրամը հանդիսանում է երեխաների լյարդի փոխպատվաստման մշտական հովանավորը` հատկացնելով վիրահատության համար անհրաժեշտ 14 մլն դրամ` ի հավելում պետության կողմից տրամադրվող 5մլն դրամ պետպատվերի գումարի: Այս անգամ, ելնելով ընտանիքի կարիքներից, հիմնադրամնն աննախադեպ որոշում է ընդունել` ֆինանսավորել նախավիրահատական թանկարժեք հետազոտությունների եւ դեղամիջոցների ձեռբերման ծախսերը եւս, որոնց մասին հաշվետվությունները Ալբերտին օգնության ձեռք մեկնած յուրաքանչյուր անհատ կկարողանա գտնել հիմնադրամի ֆեյսբուքյան էջում եւ կայքում:   Շնորհակալ ենք հիմնադրամին` նման մեծ աջակցության համար: Շնորհակալ ենք լյարդի փոխպատվաստման ամբողջ թիմին` գաստրոէնտերոլոգներ, վիրաբույժներ, այդ թվում` հեպատոբիլիար եւ ընդհանուր վիրաբույժներ, անոթային միկրովիրաբույժներ, անեսթեզիոլոգներ, ճառագայթային եւ լաբորատոր ախտորոշման մասնագետներ, իմունոսուպրեսիվ թերապիայի մասնագետներ, տրանսֆուզիոլոգներ, բուժքույրեր, ինժեներներ, տեխնիկներ, մայրապետներ, հերթապահ վարորդներ ու ադմինիստրատիվ աշխատակիցներ: Եվ, իհարկե, շնորհակալ ենք մեր բելառուս գործընկերիներին` ГУ "Минский НПЦ хирургии, трансплантологии и гематологии"֊ից։   Առանց միահամուռ ջանքերի այս ամենն ավելի դժվար կլիներ:    ГУ "Минский НПЦ хирургии, трансплантологии и гематологии" #երեխաներիԼյարդիՓոխպատվաստում #ChildrenLivertransplantation #ТрансплантацияПечениДетям #ԱրաբկիրԲՀ #ArabkirMC #МинскийНПЦЬирургииТрансплатологииГематологии #ՀայաստանիԵրեխաներիԱռողջությանՀիմնադրամ #HFCArmenia

  Pediatrician Sergey Sargsyan, the head of the Institute of Children and Adolescent Health at the "Arabkir" Medical Complex, addressed questions from the Public Television Company "News" regarding Periodic disease / Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), a genetic condition prevalent among Armenians and relatively common in our population. Thanks to the dispensary control service established decades ago, cases of complications related to the disease and its consequential kidney failure have significantly decreased from 16% to 0 among children under the age of 18 with FMF.   Approximately 3600 children diagnosed with FMF are currently undergoing treatment in Armenia, including compatriots under the age of 18 residing in other countries with the same diagnosis. The doctor emphasizes that approximately 400 children receive this diagnosis annually, with a noticeable upward trend in recent years.   According to pediatrician Sergey Sargsyan, the head of the “Arabkir” Medical Center-ICAH “Periodic disease” is a hereditary disorder. Although some may refer to it as the “Yerevanian disease”, it is unrelated to the city of Yerevan. In the international classification, it is known as “familial Mediterranean fever”, affecting people from this region, including Armenians, Sephardic Jews, Arabs, and Turks, who naturally inherited the gene through centuries of mixing with different populations.   The disease can manifest with recurrent fever, abdominal pain, and may even lead to kidney failure. It is prevalent among the Armenian population, with most cases developing before the age of 20, depending on the type of gene.   Dr. Sargsyan explains, “One in five individuals has one gene, but a single gene is insufficient. For the disease to develop, two genes—maternal and paternal—must combine, in most cases.”   While in the 1990s, approximately 16% of children in our country experienced kidney complications before reaching adulthood, the current scenario has changed.    Sargsyan details, “The discovery of the gene, conducted by the Center of Genetics in Armenia, along with subsequent organizational efforts and the implementation of a unique ambassadorial model, where patients visit the center for treatment and check-ups, has led to a remarkable reduction. Today, I can report that the initial 16% has decreased a hundredfold. We now have unique cases where children develop kidney complications, at least in infancy.   The Children's Republican Center for Periodic Diseases at the “Arabkir” Medical Center provides treatment for children aged 0-18 years under the state order. Sergey Sargsyan adds, “People over the age of 18 can also receive appropriate medication and undergo monitoring at the regional health center. Various treatment and control models are available. The crucial aspect is to diagnose the disease promptly and at its earliest stage.

Dear parents, You often ask us about various diseases, their symptoms, how they’re diagnosed, and treatment options and prevention methods. Among the topics that come up frequently is Familial Mediterranean Fever, which is very common among us.  Professor Gayane Amaryan has stepped up to answer the questions on the “Novosti Armenia” website. Get the lowdown on this condition and find the answers to your questions. 

Dear Pediatricians,   Happy Pediatrician's Day! Your dedication and care for our children are invaluable. The heartfelt drawings adorning the walls of your rooms stand as a testament to the unwavering love and trust your little patients have for you—a trust that serves as the best medicine.    May your health be robust as you continue to heal and nurture our children. Embrace the pure love they radiate, finding joy in every moment of care.

  Dear compatriots, We are delighted to announce that our professional team at the "Arabkir" medical center has expanded with the addition of the following colleagues:   Ernest Lalayan, Pediatrician,  Ruben Khachatryan, Radiologist Armen Abrahamyan, Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist Liana Grigoryan, Speech Therapist   If you require our services, please feel free to register in advance:   for pediatric consultations, please call 015 400 300 and select extension 21 27,  to schedule ultrasonography appointment, please call 010 23 20 20, for GI consultations and endoscopic examinations, please call 015 400 300 and select extension 12 16, for speech therapy sessions, please call 010 26 47 62.

Sergey Sargsyan, the head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health and a consultant in Pediatrics at the Ministry of Health has presented brief and precise information about antibiotics.  Antibiotics do not affect viruses. The vast majority of acute respiratory diseases are caused by viruses, to which antibiotics have no effect.  Antibiotics are prescribed in cases of pneumonia, otitis media, tonsillitis and sinusitis.   The use of antibiotics without appropriate instructions can lead to allergic reactions, as well as cause specific bacterial inflammation of bowels. Antibiotics affect negatively on beneficial bacteria living in the human body.   But this does not mean that antibiotics lose their important, sometimes life-saving role. These medications are used to treat many diseases. However, there should be clear indications for prescribing, and the type, dosage and duration of the drug should correspond with the approaches of modern medicine. Otherwise, resistance to the antibiotic may develop, and it will no longer be effective in the patient’s treatment.   Read and avoid misuse and overuse of antibiotics. And most importantly, remember that antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor.

Ներկայացնում է Ռուզան Դավթյանը: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8nhQYdtts

Պարբերական հիվանդության հանրապետական մանկական կենտրոնի բժիշկ Ռուզան Դավթյանը ներկայացնում է մանրամասներ պարբերական հիվանդության ախտանշանների, ախտորոշման եւ բուժման մասին: 

Sergey Sargsyan’s (head of the “Arabkir” MC-ICAH, pediatrician) advice to parents: “Vaccinations, breastfeeding and following full nutrition, so the baby can receive enough proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and minerals. Maintain good hygiene and observe the child's physical activity. Those will benefit your child’s health, ensuring that the illness is relatively mild, even if they get sick”. https://www.facebook.com/azatutyun/videos/881337332419091

 «Արաբկիր» ԲՀ ուրո-վիրաբուժական բաժանմունքի ղեկավար Պողոս Գեյիկյանն ու գաստրոէնտերոլոգ Սիրանուշ Փաշինյանը՝ լյարդի փոխպատվաստման մասին: