Blogs & Articles

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dr. Shraddha ChandakPediatric Hematology, Oncology & Immunology Specialist Thalassaemia is one of the most common inherited blood disorders affecting children in India. Despite increased awareness in recent years, many...

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dr. Shraddha ChandakPediatric Hematology, Oncology & Immunology Specialist Every year, World Thalassaemia Day is observed to increase awareness about one of the most common inherited blood disorders affecting children...

A diagnosis of childhood cancer is one of the most difficult moments any family can experience. Fear, uncertainty, and countless questions often arise immediately after the diagnosis. Yet within paediatric oncology centres across India, there are also many stories of...

Despite major advancements in medical science, childhood cancer continues to be surrounded by fear, myths, and social stigma in many parts of India. Families often hesitate to discuss the diagnosis openly, and in some cases, delay seeking proper treatment due to...

Children falling sick occasionally is considered a normal part of growing up. Seasonal infections, mild fevers, and coughs are common as children are exposed to new environments such as schools and playgrounds. However, when infections occur repeatedly or take longer...

Across many parts of India, symptoms such as fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained bruising, or persistent paleness in children are often dismissed as minor health issues. While these symptoms may sometimes be temporary, they can also indicate underlying...

When people hear the words childhood cancer, fear often becomes the first emotion. Yet within paediatric oncology clinics, there are also stories of resilience, courage, and structured recovery. According to Dr. Shraddha Chandak, overcoming cancer in children is...

Blood disorders in children are often misunderstood. Fatigue, bruising, recurrent infections, pallor, or delayed growth are sometimes treated as minor issues. In reality, these symptoms may indicate underlying paediatric blood disorders that require specialised...

In paediatric oncology, every family hopes for cure, remission, and recovery. Modern advancements in childhood cancer treatment have improved survival rates significantly. However, there are situations where treatment options become limited, outcomes uncertain, or the...

When parents hear the term palliative care in the context of paediatric cancer, fear often follows. Many assume it means “giving up” or stopping treatment. According to Dr. Shraddha Chandak, this is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding childhood cancer care....

When a child grows up with medical challenges—frequent hospital visits, long treatments, repeated tests—the risk is not only physical. There is also a quiet risk of childhood being overshadowed by illness. According to Dr. Shraddha Chandak, one of the most important...

When a child shows persistent symptoms—unexplained fever, frequent infections, unusual fatigue, poor weight gain, or abnormal blood reports parents often enter a phase of silent fear. They worry, speculate, search online, and hope the problem will resolve on its own....

Parenting is never easy. Parenting a child with medical vulnerabilities—frequent illnesses, long treatments, hospital visits, or ongoing monitoring—adds layers of emotional, mental, and physical strain that few are prepared for. According to Dr. Shraddha Chandak, one...

When a child is diagnosed with a medical condition—whether it involves the blood, immune system, or long-term treatment—the immediate focus naturally shifts to reports, medicines, procedures, and outcomes. While these are essential, Dr. Shraddha Chandak believes that...

When a child is diagnosed with a blood disorder, immune condition, or cancer, parents enter one of the most emotionally challenging phases of their lives. Fear, confusion, and uncertainty often take over. In this vulnerable moment, decisions are rarely easy—and yet,...

When a child shows persistent health issues—frequent infections, unexplained fever, unusual tiredness, low blood counts, or bleeding—many parents begin a long and exhausting journey. They consult multiple doctors, try home remedies, seek opinions from friends and...

The moment a child is diagnosed with a blood disorder, immune condition, or cancer, parents often feel as though the ground has shifted beneath their feet. Medical terms sound unfamiliar, treatment options feel overwhelming, and emotions can cloud decision-making. In...

A diagnosis involving a child’s blood health or cancer can be overwhelming. Parents are suddenly faced with unfamiliar medical terms, urgent treatment decisions, and an emotional weight that is difficult to put into words. In this moment, one thing becomes extremely...

By Dr. Shraddha Chandak – Pediatric Haemato-Oncologist & Immunologist When it comes to childhood illnesses, cancer is often the last thing parents suspect. Fever, fatigue, weight loss or pain are frequently misunderstood as infections, weakness, or nutritional...

By Dr. Shraddha Chandak – Pediatric Haemato-Oncologist & Immunologist Broken bones can be seen. Rashes can be spotted. Fever can be felt.But pediatric blood disorders often remain invisible, silent, and dangerously misleading until they escalate into emergencies....

By Dr. Shraddha Chandak, Pediatric Haemato-Oncologist & Immunologist Cancer is one of the most feared words in India.But in rural regions, it is not just feared — it is misunderstood, whispered, hidden, delayed, and often never spoken about openly, especially when...

By Dr. Shraddha Chandak – Pediatric Haemato-Oncologist & Immunologist In rural India — especially in Marathwada — children often suffer from recurrent infections, poor weight gain, persistent fever, pneumonia, chronic diarrhea, and failure to thrive. These...

Most parents associate “bleeding problems” with low platelet counts. But what if your child’s platelet count is normal, and they still experience frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or excessive bruising? In such cases, the issue might not be the quantity of platelets...

When parents hear that their child’s platelets have dropped drastically — sometimes below 20,000 — it can be deeply alarming. Many immediately associate it with serious illnesses like cancer or leukemia. But in a majority of these cases, the real cause is ITP — Immune...

Parents are often surprised when a routine blood test shows that their child’s platelet count is “high.” The first question they ask is — “Doctor, is this dangerous?” A condition known as Thrombocytosis occurs when the platelet count is higher than normal. While it...

Thrombocytopenia — or low platelet count — is a condition that can cause parents a great deal of worry, especially when a child develops unexplained bruises, bleeding gums, or frequent nosebleeds. As a pediatric hematologist, I often see children referred with “low...

A diagnosis of cancer or blood disorders in children not only affects the body but also impacts the mental health of children and their families. Emotional stress, fear of the unknown, and financial strain can be overwhelming. Understanding the psychological impact...

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), also known as Stem Cell Transplant, is a life-saving treatment for several pediatric blood disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia. Many parents feel overwhelmed when doctors suggest a transplant for their...

In India, childhood cancer affects thousands of children every year. Unfortunately, access to treatment remains a challenge for families from rural or economically weaker backgrounds. High costs of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants often...

Does your child frequently fall sick? Do they have recurrent fevers, ear infections, or chest congestion despite regular medication?While it’s common for children to catch colds and flu occasionally, persistent or severe infections could be a sign of something deeper—...

Has your child been unusually pale, bruising easily, or feeling more tired than usual? These may be more than just signs of a growth spurt or a viral fever — they could indicate an underlying blood disorder. Pediatric hematology deals with diagnosing and treating...

Hearing the word “cancer” in the context of your child is every parent’s worst nightmare.But here’s the truth most people don’t know: Childhood cancers are often curable —especially when diagnosed early and treated by specialists in pediatric oncology.In this blog,...

Frequent infections in children can be concerning for parents. While it’s normal for young children to catch a cold or flu occasionally, recurrent infections might signal an underlying issue with their immune system. Pediatric immunology is a specialized field that...

Frequent infections in children can be concerning for parents. While it’s normal for young children to catch a cold or flu occasionally, recurrent infections might signal an underlying issue with their immune system. Pediatric immunology is a specialized field that...

When your child is diagnosed with a blood disorder, it can be overwhelming. Blood disorders in children include conditions like anemia, leukemia, thalassemia, and various bleeding disorders. While these conditions can be alarming, early diagnosis and proper treatment...

In the intricate world of pediatric healthcare, understanding the role of immunology is paramount. As children grow and develop, their immune systems play a crucial role in protecting them from infections, diseases, and other health challenges. In this blog, we delve...

Cancer. The word itself evokes fear and uncertainty. But when it strikes a child, the weight of that fear can be unimaginable. Childhood cancer, though less common than adult cancers, is a very real threat, affecting an estimated 400,000 children globally each year...