Dr. Renierose Agujetas-Briones: General Pediatrics & Pediatric Pulmonology

10/07/2025

Many parents believe that sunbathing their babies for about 30 minutes in the early morning is a natural remedy to treat neonatal jaundice as well as help them to supplement their own Vitamin D. Read further below to find out whether or not the statement is true.

In the past, health advice for children recommended that newborns be sunbathed between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to prevent rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency. However, this advice is outdated and does not reflect current scientific evidence.

Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays, which are most present in the early morning, cannot synthesize vitamin D, contrary to common belief. Instead, UVA exposure is associated with harmful effects such as skin aging, dark spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UVC rays are extremely dangerous but are blocked by the ozone layer. Only UVB rays—most intense between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.—can stimulate the production of active vitamin D. However, during these hours, temperatures are typically too high for safe sun exposure, especially for infants and young children.

Given the fragility of infant skin, many health authorities now advise against sunbathing babies, as it can increase the risk of skin damage and cancer.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under six months receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily through supplementation, with no need for sun exposure. This supplementation should continue for at least the first year. After 12 months, if a child has a well-balanced diet, consumes fortified formula, and gets some sun exposure through play, vitamin D supplements may no longer be necessary. However, supplementation is generally recommended until age four.
Breastfed infants, in particular, require vitamin D supplements because breast milk, while rich in nutrients and antibodies, contains only low levels of vitamin D.

Additionally, some parents believe that sunbathing helps prevent or treat neonatal jaundice. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this practice.

28/06/2025

Looking for a developmental pediatrician in the Philippines? You can find one through this online directory: https://psdbp.org/find-a-doctor/

Keep in mind that not all pediatricians are trained to do in-depth developmental assessments, so it’s important to see the right specialist if you have concerns about your child’s development.

Regular pediatricians can monitor your child’s development (this is called developmental surveillance), and they can also do developmental screening—as long as they use proper, validated tools.

Find A Doctor

28/06/2025

Babies need vitamin D supplementation especially the purely breastfed.
Kamo mommies, nagahatag ba mo vitamin D supplement sa inyo babies?

21/06/2025

‼️Don't wait, vaccinate: Protect your children. ☺️

06/06/2025

Eyes here please!

These are the reasons why I strongly encourage my patients who have household members who are either positive for or currently being treated for pulmonary tuberculosis to have the rest of their household members, as well as close contacts outside the household, screened for TB as well.

If the results show that you have the disease, you will need to undergo the full course of treatment. However, if you test negative for active TB, you—especially children under 5 years old—should still receive TB prophylaxis.

This helps prevent the further spread of TB bacteria and protects both you and your family from developing the disease. Let us help stop the spread of TB by getting tested and treated early.

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Sa Binisaya:

Mao ni ang akong rason nganong ginadasig nako ang akong mga pasyente nga kung naa silay kauban sa balay nga positibo o ginatambalan tungod sa TB (pulmonary tuberculosis), ipa-check pud unta ang ubang miyembro sa pamilya ug ang ilang suod nga mga kontak bisan gawas sa balay.

Kung makita nga naa kay TB human sa check-up, kinahanglan gyud nga tiwason nimo ang tibuok tambal. Pero kung negatibo ka sa TB, labi na kung bata ka nga ubos sa 5 ka tuig, importante gihapon nga makakuha og TB prophylaxis o preventive nga tambal.

Kini aron dili na mosamot ang pagkaylap sa bakterya sa TB ug maprotektahan ang imong kaugalingon ug pamilya. Magtinabangay ta nga tapuson ang TB—magpa-check ug magpatambal na ta karon!

05/06/2025

Will be holding clinic tomorrow, June 6, at ACE Medical Center - Cebu, Pardo, Cebu City, from 9AM to 12NN.

04/06/2025

I learned from the mommies of my patients that they can avail of the Rotavirus vaccine in the health centers for a price but lower than what we charge in the private clinics. I was skeptical about this because I believe they are not allowed to do that. So I researched and this is what I found out:

In the Philippines, barangay health workers (BHWs) are trained to provide basic healthcare services, but they are not typically involved in selling or profiting from vaccines like Rotavirus. BHWs primarily focus on administering vaccines provided by the government at no cost to patients, and may receive compensation for their services through various means like a monthly honorarium, transportation, subsistence, and hazard allowances. The "Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers" aims to professionalize and provide better compensation for BHWs, including insurance coverage and an health emergency allowance. Routine vaccines for children are provided for free in barangay health centers. While BHWs may work within barangay health centers, the provision of vaccines is generally handled by government programs and not through the BHWs' own initiative or for profit.

02/06/2025

✅ RABIES VACCINE is now a routine vaccine❗

Due to the burden of rabies infection in our country, experts have recommended the inclusion of rabies vaccine in the routine immunization of our children.

Preexposure prophylaxis for children 2-10 years old consists of 2 doses given on days 0 and 7. For patients beyond this age group, catch up immunization applies.

To download the latest Childhood Immunization Schedule:
https://www.pidsphil.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2025-PIDSP-Immunization-Calendar.pdf

Source: PPS/PIDSP/PFV Childhood Immunization Schedule 2025

Let's discuss the terminologies we often come across.

PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP): A rabies vaccine given to a person who has NOT YET BEEN EXPOSED (not bitten, scratched, or licked) by an animal that may have rabies.

POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP): This is given to a person who has ALREADY BEEN EXPOSED to an animal that may have rabies. It can involve just the rabies vaccine or be combined with rabies immunoglobulin, depending on the category of exposure — whether it's Category 1, 2, or 3.

It's important to complete the full series of injections according to the schedule, whether it's for pre- or post-exposure.

Once the virus infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in 100% of cases.

However, rabies deaths are preventable with prompt post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) by stopping the virus from reaching the central nervous system. PEP consists of thorough wound washing, administration of a course of human rabies vaccine and, when indicated, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG).
If a person is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, they should immediately and always seek PEP care.

29/05/2025

No clinic today, May 29 and 30.
Clinic resumes:
@ Chong Hua Medical Mall on May 31 from 9AM-12PM;
@ ACE Pardo June 2 9AM-12PM

11/05/2025

Take note na makuha gihapon through breastmilk ang HIV. So careful gyud sa mga breastmilk donations.

🤰 Mommy, pwede kang maprotektahan at ang iyong baby sa HIV.

Mahalagang malaman ang iyong HIV status para sa agarang gamutan. Pumunta sa HIV Care Facilities para sa libreng HIV Testing at gamot.

Ang HIV ay pwedeng maipasa sa sanggol mula sa:

📌Placenta o Inunan
📌Breastmilk
📌Exposure sa Dugo

Isang paalala mula sa DOH ngayong Safe Motherhood Week, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga!