EXPERT
Dr. Shadi Malaeb, M.D.
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Specialist
Dr. Shadi Malaeb is a Neonatal-Perinatal physician practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Malaeb cares for critically ill newborns and premature infants. Neonatal-Perinatal physicians treat conditions such as breathing disorders, birth defects, infections, and any other life-threatening medical problems. They coordinate with their young patient's families and other physicians to determine the appropriate treatment.
26 years
Experience
Dr. Shadi Malaeb, M.D.
- Philadelphia, PA
- American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Neonatal-perinatal medicine is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants and understanding the conditions around birth that affect their...
Bowel problem?
Hello, I am sorry to learn about all the problems with your grandson. Has he been checked by a pediatric gastroenterologist specialist? If so, have you tried glycerin suppositories READ MORE
Hello, I am sorry to learn about all the problems with your grandson. Has he been checked by a pediatric gastroenterologist specialist? If so, have you tried glycerin suppositories or pediatric fleet enema? Best wishes.
What happens to the baby if the mother is diabetic?
There are several complications to watch for in infants of diabetic mothers. Recommendation to follow with a high-risk pregnancy maternal fetal medicine specialist with special READ MORE
There are several complications to watch for in infants of diabetic mothers. Recommendation to follow with a high-risk pregnancy maternal fetal medicine specialist with special imaging to look form some deformities in the infant such as heart enlargement and other findings. The fetus tends to grow large, which makes delivery also problematic for shoulder dystocia and may need a c/section. After birth, the infant may have low blood sugar issues, lung problems and feeding difficulties, and sometimes heart issues. The better diabetic control, the less the problems.
Bowel problem?
Have you checked with a pediatric gastroenterologist? If so, have he tried glycerin suppositories or pediatric fleet enemas?
Do I need to take folic acid before getting pregnant?
yes, it helps decrease risk of malformations.
Is walking good for preeclampsia?
In general walking is good for everything. However, sometimes pre-E can cause headache and make the mother dizzy, and sometimes when mothers are hospitalized with pre-E they may READ MORE
In general walking is good for everything. However, sometimes pre-E can cause headache and make the mother dizzy, and sometimes when mothers are hospitalized with pre-E they may be treated with magnesium and that makes them dizzy and risk of falling. Check with your nurse/OB before walking if you are at the hospital.
Aplasia Cutis type 5?
It may help to check with a pediatric dermatologist first. They may be able to diagnose without needing a biopsy. If not available or if still in doubt, then a biopsy may help. READ MORE
It may help to check with a pediatric dermatologist first. They may be able to diagnose without needing a biopsy. If not available or if still in doubt, then a biopsy may help.
Can bleeding during pregnancy affect the baby?
In general, bleeding is a risk factor for problems during pregnancy. Please discuss with your obstetrician.
My daughter is 1 month old and her stool is starting to look different. Should I be concerned?
Most of the time it is normal, however, black stools are not normal, and best is to check with your pediatrician if this persists.
My 5 days old baby is throwing up the milk she drinks. What should I do?
While baby reflux is normal and happens more as the baby gets older and she feeds more. It is best to check with your pediatrician to make sure she has good weight gain, and is READ MORE
While baby reflux is normal and happens more as the baby gets older and she feeds more. It is best to check with your pediatrician to make sure she has good weight gain, and is healthy otherwise.
Can I have a normal delivery if my first one was a caesarean?
It depends on the kind of C-section, they are not all the same. In certain kinds, that is the case.
What does taking folic acid prevent?
It helps prevent neural tube defects, i.e., large defects in the brain and spinal cord, and some defect of the heart.
What are the risks associated with premature birth?
Yes, there are many kinds. I refer you to the March of Dimes page on prematurity.
How much sugar is okay for a baby?
What is in natural foods is more than enough, yet it's hard to stop sugar once the baby tastes it. Careful with his teeth.
My baby has been diagnosed with herpes. What should we do?
I am sorry to hear that. Sometimes the herpes is localized to the skin, and in others it spreads to other organs. Please follow up with your pediatrician and, if need, be consult READ MORE
I am sorry to hear that. Sometimes the herpes is localized to the skin, and in others it spreads to other organs. Please follow up with your pediatrician and, if need, be consult with an infectious disease expert.
My baby had irregular breathing at birth and was in the NICU. What should I do to protect him?
It is not clear to me what irregular breathing means. Was your baby premature? Did he need oxygen therapy? Sometimes, lung problems at birth could predispose the lungs to be more READ MORE
It is not clear to me what irregular breathing means. Was your baby premature? Did he need oxygen therapy? Sometimes, lung problems at birth could predispose the lungs to be more sensitive to other breathing related problems later on, such as respiratory viruses, smoking, etc. It would be best to avoid these insults in any case, and talk to your pediatrician for specific concerns.
Should laxatives be given to babies in case of constipation?
Sometimes, simple natural laxatives like prune juice in a tiny amount may help. You can check with a pediatric gastroenterologist specialist.
My baby almost turns blue when he is crying. Is this normal?
Many infants and toddlers have breath holding spells when they cry. Some babies with a specific heart defect TOF also can turn blue when they cry. It would be best to bring your READ MORE
Many infants and toddlers have breath holding spells when they cry. Some babies with a specific heart defect TOF also can turn blue when they cry. It would be best to bring your concern to the pediatrician, who would be checking his heart anyway during routine check-ups. If there was something wrong with his heart, it would show on exam with other findings than just breath holding.
My baby had cardiac surgery. What precautions should I take?
Be very careful to avoid respiratory virus infections, and get him vaccinated for the RSV virus. Talk to your cardiologist, they will provide you with very detailed instructions READ MORE
Be very careful to avoid respiratory virus infections, and get him vaccinated for the RSV virus. Talk to your cardiologist, they will provide you with very detailed instructions related to your baby's specific condition.
What should we know about jaundice?
Many babies have a healthy degree of physiologic jaundice in the first few weeks of life, but some may have more exaggerated response, and may need light or other therapy. All READ MORE
Many babies have a healthy degree of physiologic jaundice in the first few weeks of life, but some may have more exaggerated response, and may need light or other therapy. All babies will have their jaundice levels checked in the first 2-3 days of life.
