Neonatology Forum-1

National Neonatology Forum This is an active body of about 3000 newborn specialists with the secretariat in Delhi . Dr. Rajiv was actively involved with all activities of this speciality body which gives guidelines to the Health Ministry and WHO . Dr. Rajiv was the first to propose a panel for ventilation and to standardize norms to give accreditation . Ventilation was introduced initially in the late 1980's but became technologically perfect in the 1990's . He was always invited to be a speaker or chairperson on some critical aspect of new born care at the annual neonatology conference . His widespread experience with the use of all types of ventilators has placed him as one of the most experienced ventilatory specialists in the country . In fact , the last two departments he created and the one currently being headed are rated as one of the best in the country .

Indian Academy of Pediatrics
Dr. Rajiv has contributed largely in the academic arena by his articles in the Indian journal of practical pediatrics , journal of the national neonatology forum and is known All over the country for his tireless crusade to impart ventilatory training to prospective pediatricians in a systematic fashion , so that all states in India have well trained newborn Specialists who run their own advanced neonatal centers .These centers will ultimately upgrade the overall maternity and child health service in the country .

VIAGRA
Viagra which caught the media attention years before as a drug to correct erectile dysftinction now again made news for saving three critical new born babies suffering from pulmonary hypertension. This is a disease caused by narrowing of blood vessels supplying the lungs, a grave threat to life. Dr. P. K. Rajiv, Head of Department of New Born Intensive Care Unit Arnrita Institute of Medical Sciences Kochi, India saved three neonates from the hands of certain death by the administration of Viagra. The powerful Sildenafil Citrate otherwise well known as Viagra is licensed under medical supervision only as an anti-impotency drug. Rajiv's use of sildenafil in newborn has been one of its kind in the world.New Scientist magazine reports that Viagra has been used on infants around the world. Even 8 hours old ailing babies are given the drug at Boston Children's Hospital and Toronto's Hospital. Comparing with the standard inhaled nitric oxide treatment, sildenafil citrate is reported to have better results. Sildenafil citrate works by boosting nitric oxide metabolism in the pulmonary artery and prevents the existing nitric oxide in the lung from being destroyed,leading to dilatation of the same. Dr.P.K.Rajiv, Head of new borns in AIMS,Kochi says "In newborns pulmonary hypertension is usually caused by complications in delivery. Sometimes it is also caused by pneumonia". Another critical newborn which was brought for surgery foihernia into the lung (diaphragmatic hernia) had developed severe pulmonary