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.

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.

Sergey Sargsyan, the Head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health of “Arabkir” Medical Center, recently participated in a discussion on Child and Maternal health, focusing on the progress and future plans of WHO projects in these areas in Europe. The discussion covered topics such as child development and rehabilitation, the health of school-aged children and adolescents, improving the quality of medical care, policy development and more. Experts from several countries, including Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland and Armenia, took part in the discussion.  During his visit to Germany, Sergey Sargsyan also visited Uelenkinder Center in Hamburg to learn about local experiences in organizing children’s palliative care. The German partners presented the features and functions of services for identifying, referring, and organizing follow-up care for children in need of palliative care. Sergey Sargsyan told about the efforts undertaken in this field in Armenia, highlighting that in recent years the World Health Organization and “Arabkir” MC-ICAH have been working on implementing pediatric palliative care in Armenia. In particular, with the support of the Open Society Institute, an assessment of the situation, the development of a concept, guidelines, educational materials and a project of standards have been carried out. Currently, practical work is already underway for the full implementation of the service in Armenia.

Pediatrician Sergey Sargsyan, the head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health answered questions on Boon TV: most common conditions in children, child mortality rate in last years, accessibility of medical services, state order and patients’ flow, the role of primary healthcare and the importance of working in regions, effective communication between parents and doctors, pediatric palliative care.

Dear parents, listen to the “Armenpress” podcast with Sergey Sargsyan, the head of the “Arabkir” MC - Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, Pediatrics Advisor of the Ministry of Health. Protect your children from viruses with the simplest and easiest methods, recognize the signs of acute respiratory infections, remember “do’s” and “don'ts” and stay in touch with your pediatrician.

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe has launched its first-ever “Pocket book of primary health care for children and adolescents”, based on guidelines developed by the WHO and various internationally recognized professional associations.  The pocket book includes the management of the most common diseases in children aged 0-18, neonatal care, early childhood development and nutrition issues, as well as issues related to mental and adolescent health.  Ministers of Health and leading specialists from different countries, including Armenia, participated in the online presentation of the pocket book.  We are happy to note, that our colleague, the Head of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health of “Arabkir” Medical Complex, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatrics of YSMU, consultant for Pediatrics of the Ministry of Health of the RA Sergey Sargsyan participated in the development of this pocket book as a co-editor.  Congratulations, dear Sergey Sargsyan! Thank you for your relentless efforts dedicated to the health of children and adolescents. https://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/pocket-book-of-primary-health-care-for-children-and-adolescents-guidelines-for-health-promotion,-disease-prevention-and-management-from-the-newborn-period-to-adolescence-2022  For more information call 060 400 300 /22 20/ and 015 400 300 /11 49/. 

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