Friday, January 28, 2011

Fact Friday: Children's eye sight


This week I had a mom ask me, "I am concerned about my child's vision. What should I be looking for and what are signs of bad vision or eye issues?" I gave her what I thought was a pretty good answer and told her to discuss it with the pediatrician, but it did make me think, so I did some research and found some great suggestions by the AAP. Here is a portion of the article or click on the link below. Thanks AAP for being such a great resource for our parents.

How do I know if my child has a vision problem?Vision screening is a very important way to identify vision problems. During an exam the doctor looks for eye disease and checks to see if the eyes are working properly. Children with a family history of childhood vision problems are more likely to have eye problems themselves.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children have their eyes checked by a pediatrician at the following ages:

Newborn. All infants before discharge from the hospital should have their eyes checked in the newborn nursery for infections, defects, cataracts, or glaucoma. This is especially true for premature infants, infants who were given oxygen, and infants with multiple medical problems.

By 6 months of age. Pediatricians should screen infants at their well-baby visits to check for proper eye health, vision development, and alignment of the eyes.

At 3 to 4 years of age. All children should have their eyes and vision checked for any abnormalities that may cause problems with later development.

At 5 years of age and older. Your pediatrician should check your child's vision in each eye separately every year. If a problem is found during routine eye exams, your pediatrician may have your child see a pediatric ophthalmologist, an eye doctor trained and experienced in the care of children's eye problems. Your pediatrician can advise you on eye doctors in your area.

Warning signs of a vision problem in infants (up to 1 year of age)Babies older than 3 months should be able to follow or "track" an object, like a toy or ball, with their eyes as it moves across their field of vision.

If your baby can't make steady eye contact by this time or seems unable to see, let your pediatrician know. Before 4 months of age most infants occasionally cross their eyes. However, eyes that cross all the time or one eye that turns out is usually abnormal and is another reason to seek your pediatrician's advice.

Warning signs of a vision problem in preschool childrenIf your child's eyes become misaligned (strabismus), let your pediatrician know right away. However, vision problems such as a lazy eye (amblyopia) may have no warning signs, and your child may not complain of vision problems. Thus, it's important at this time to have your child's vision checked. There are special tests to check your child's vision.

Warning signs of a vision problem at any ageNo matter how old your child is, if you spot any one of the following, let your pediatrician know:

•Eyes that look crossed, turn out, or don't focus together
•White, grayish-white, or yellow-colored material in the pupil
•Eyes that flutter quickly from side-to-side or up-and-down
•Bulging eye(s)
•Persistent eye pain, itching, or discomfort
•Redness in either eye that doesn't go away in a few days
•Pus or crust in either eye
•Eyes that are always watery
•Drooping eyelid(s)
•Excessive rubbing or squinting of the eyes
•Eyes that are always sensitive to light
•Any change in the eyes from how they usually look.


If you are concerned or have any questions, please call our office and schedule and appointment to discuss it with your pediatrician. Have a wonderful Friday!
**info from www.aap.org
**picture of "Sophia"-- Mykio's little girl

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Introducing the Willow Creek Front Staff!

We have such a wonderful front office staff here at Willow Creek! Here is a chance for you to get to know them all and know who you are talking to on the phone and when you come in!
Shaylyn and Kari
Shaylyn - Shaylyn is our awesome front office manager! She has worked here for 6 years, starting out as one of our night staff and went full time during the day a couple years later. She loves to read and play volleyball. She loves working at Willow Creek and thinks the doctors here are GREAT!

Kari - Kari has worked here for 4 years. She loves it here and thinks it is definitely the best place she has ever worked! She enjoys playing games with her 5 kids, reading, and the occassional long craft session (when time permits!). She also loves any spare second she gets to spend with her husband because those times are few and far between!

Natalie and Trishell
Trishell - Trishell has been working here for 3 years. She LOVES her job and everyone she works with! She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Brad, for 31 years. They have two daughters; her oldest, Christina, who is dating a very nice man named Jake, and her youngest, Amanda, just married her cute husband, Peter, this past August! Life is good for Trishell!

Natalie - Natalie has worked for Willow Creek for 4 years. She is the mother of 2 adorable kids! Her daughter is 4 years old, and her son is 18 months old. She loves going to concerts when she gets a chance. She also used to raise seeing-eye dogs for the blind before her kids took over all of her free time!



Nicole and Traci R
Nicole - Nicole has been here for 6 years! She has two beautiful twin daughters. Nicole spends much of her free time taking her girls to their basketball games and watching them play!

Traci R. - Traci has been working at Willow Creek for 3 years. She loves being a mom and spending time with her 3 awesome children and her husband!



Tricia and Kim
Tricia - Tricia has worked for Wasatch Pediatrics for 8 years. She spent 6 years in our billing office and has been working in the Willow Creek office at night for the past 2 years. Tricia loves running marathons and ALWAYS has her nose buried in a book! She has 2 handsome little boys and has baby boy number 3 on the way!

Kim - Kim has worked nights at Willow Creek for almost 2 years. She has 2 beautiful little girls and her and her husband have their own little photography business on the side!



Irina, Mykio and Jan
Jan - Jan has worked for Willow Creek for 7 years! In her spare time, she love spending time with all of her grandkids and her family!

Irina - Irina is the newest addition to the Willow Creek staff! She has been working here for a little over 3 months now. The most interesting fact about Irina is that she is 100% Danish and she became a U.S. citizen when she was 18 years old!

Mykio - Mykio has been working for Wasatch Pediatrics for almost 10 years. She started out as a file clerk at the St. Mark's office, and then slowly migrated over to the Willow Creek office about 6 years ago. She has an adorable 1 year old little girl that consumes most of her time. She also just went back to school to finish up her bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Weber State!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Hip Dysplasia

Many infants suffer from hip dysplasia. The following is an article provided by Dr. Jopling from the National Institutes of Health.

Developmental dysplasia of the hipURL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000971.htm

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a dislocation of the hip joint that is present at birth. The condition is found in babies or young children.

Causes

The hip is a ball and socket joint. The ball, called the femoral head, forms the top part of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket (acetabulum) forms in the pelvis.

The hip may be all the way out of the joint or the socket may be a little shallow. One or both hips may be involved.

The cause is unknown, but genetic factors may play a role. Low levels of amniotic fluid in the womb during pregnancy can increase a baby's risk of DDH. Other risk factors include:

* Being the first child
* Being female
* Breech delivery
* Family history of the disorder
DDH occurs in about 1 out of 1,000 births.

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms. Symptoms that may occur can include:

* Different (asymmetric) leg positions
* Reduced movement on the side of the body with the dislocation
* Shorter leg on the side with the dislocation
* Uneven folds of thigh fat
Ultrasound of the hip can be helpful to determine the diagnosis in the first several months of life.
Please talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

This article was provided as a request from one of our patient's moms! We love any feedback that we can get! If there is ever anything that you would like us to post about, please let us know and we will make our best effort to get the most up-to-date information from our doctors! Big thanks to the mom who requested we bring awareness of this to other parents!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Phi & Ted Jogging Stroller Recall

Around 30,000 strollers in the United States and Canada are being recalled over potential amputation and laceration hazards by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
-This recall involves sport v2 and classic v1 model single-seat jogging strollers. The three-wheel strollers have a metal frame, cloth seat and a canopy. The sport v2 model stroller was sold in red, orange, green, black, charcoal, navy and in graffiti print. Sport v2 serial numbers included in the recall are 0308/0001 to 0510/0840. The classic v1 model strollers were only sold in red. Serial numbers for the classic v1 are 0308/0001 to 0510/0906. The first four digits of the serial number is a month/year date code and the last four digits are for the individual stroller. Serial numbers are printed on the inside of the folding hinge. The phil&teds logo is located on the crotch piece of the harness on both models.

-Stop using strollers immediately

**Info from CPSC

Friday, January 21, 2011

Fact Friday: WInter Safety Tips


Whether winter brings severe storms, light dustings or just cold temperatures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm.

What to Wear
-Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat.
-The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
-Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.
-If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as your baby’s chest, so the infant's face is less likely to become covered by bedding materials.
Hypothermia
-Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing or when clothes get wet. It can occur more quickly in children than in adults.
-As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.
-If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets or warm clothes.
Frostbite
-Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose. They may become pale, gray and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.
-If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water. 104° Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most hot tubs) is recommended. -Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.
-Do not rub the frozen areas.
-After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink.
-If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.
Winter Health
-If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in the child's room at night. Saline nose drops or petrolatum may help keep tissues moist. If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.
-Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant’s first year. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.
-Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.
-Children 6 months of age and up should get the influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of catching the flu.
Winter Sports and Activities
-Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Have children come inside periodically to warm up.
Ice Skating
-Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces. Check for signs posted by local police or recreation departments, or call your local police department to find out which areas have been approved.
-Advise your child to:
Skate in the same direction as the crowd
Avoid darting across the ice
Never skate alone
Not chew gum or eat candy while skating.
Consider having your child wear a helmet while ice skating.
Sledding
-Keep sledders away from motor vehicles.
-Children should be supervised while sledding.
-Keep young children separated from older children.
-Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries.
-Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding.
-Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes.
-Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
-Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30ยบ), and end with a flat runoff.
-Avoid sledding in crowded areas.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding
-Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.
-Never ski or snowboard alone.
-Young children should always be supervised by an adult. Older children’s need for adult supervision depends on their maturity and skill. If older children are not with an adult, they should always at least be accompanied by a friend.
-Consider wearing a helmet.
-Equipment should fit the child. Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year. Snowboarders should wear gloves with built-in wrist guards. Eye protection or goggles should also be used.
-Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder. Avoid crowded slopes.
-Avoid skiing in areas with trees and other obstacles.
Snowmobiling
-The AAP recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on snowmobiles.
-Do not use a snowmobile to pull a sled or skiers.
-Wear goggles and a safety helmet approved for use on motorized vehicles like motorcycles.
-Travel at safe speeds.
-Never use alcohol or other drugs before or during snowmobiling.
-Never snowmobile alone or at night.
-Stay on marked trails, away from roads, water, railroads and pedestrians.
Sun Protection
-The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. -Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscreen.
Fire Protection
-Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:
-Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
-Test smoke alarms monthly
-Practice fire drills with your children
-Install a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms


arcticle by AAP http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/decwintertips.cfm

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Sleep Issues

Do you ever wonder how important sleep actually is for your child? Or how much sleep your child should be getting? The following is a great article from The Wall Street Journal about childrens' sleep patterns and how it can affect them in the long term.

The doctors at Willowcreek Pediatrics endorse the basic theory of this article, but want parents to understand that they need to individualize these concepts and ideas for help to their child and their situation. If you have concerns, please make an appointment to see your doctor.


Grown-Up Problems Start at Bedtime
Kids Who Don't Sleep Enough Are at Greater Risk for Depression, Anxiety Later
By ANDREA PETERSEN


Every parent knows that a tired kid is a cranky kid. Now, scientists are discovering that children with chronic sleep problems are at increased risk for developing a mental illness later in life.
Recent studies show that children who have persistent sleep problems, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or not getting enough night-time shut-eye, are more likely later to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders and to abuse alcohol and drugs than kids without sleep problems. The findings add to previous research that has linked children's sleep problems to a host of issues, including aggressive behavior, learning and memory problems and obesity.
A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't have sleep problems at the younger age. In a study published last year in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386 participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46% of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety disorder as young adults, according to the research, which was published in 2005 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

Scientists caution that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its early stages.
Psychiatrists and psychologists say they hope that by addressing sleep problems in childhood, some of the instances of later mental illness can be prevented. There's a lot parents can do to encourage healthy sleep, including setting a regular bedtime and banning TV watching, Facebook posting and texting in the half hour or so before lights out. Clinicians also have developed effective treatments for poor sleep and are experimenting with some new approaches that teach kids how to reduce the frequency and strength of anxious thoughts that can crop up at night. In general, doctors do not recommend using medication to help kids sleep.


"We think that healthy, optimal sleep may be a buffer against developing anxiety and depression in kids," says Ronald E. Dahl, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and a leading researcher on pediatric sleep.


A Good Night


Most parents underestimate the amount of sleep children should get a day. They need:
• Infants: 14 to 15 hours
• Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours
• Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours
• School-age kids: 10 to 11 hours
• Teenagers: 9 to 10 hours
Source: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common mental illnesses: 28.8% of the general population will have an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and 20.8% will have a mood disorder, according to a 2005 study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Anxiety disorders emerge early in life: The median age of onset is 11, according to the study. Rates of depression spike in adolescence, too. And those who develop depression young tend to have a more serious disease, with a higher risk of relapse.


Many kids have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep from time to time. Doctors become concerned if the troubles are chronic or often interfere with daytime functioning. "If it [consistently] takes more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, this is insomnia and it is a problem," says Anna Ivanenko, associate professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University.


According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2004 Sleep in America poll, 13% of school-age children have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime and 26% of preschoolers seem sleepy or overtired during the day at least a few days a week. The report surveyed 1,473 adults with children 10 and younger in the home. Teenagers tend to have even more sleep issues. About 45% of adolescents ages 11 to 17 get less than eight hours of sleep a night, even though teenagers need between nine and 10 hours. And more than one-quarter of high-school kids fall asleep in school at least once a week, according to another Sleep in America poll from 2006 that surveyed 1,602 sixth through 12th graders and their parents or caregivers.


Scientists aren't certain as to why poor sleep in childhood increases the risk of anxiety disorders and depression. It could be that sleep problems lead to changes in the brain, which, in turn, contribute to the psychiatric illnesses, they say. Or some underlying issue, partly explained by genetics and early childhood experiences, could be a precursor to both poor sleep and the mental disorders. There is some evidence sleep deprivation weakens the connection between the amygdala (involved in responding to fear) and the prefrontal cortex (which plays a role in executive functioning), "suggesting that sleep deprivation may result in reduced ability to moderate emotional response," said Alice Gregory, senior lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London and the lead author of several studies on the relationship between sleep and psychiatric issues, in an email exchange.


Researchers say that before puberty—between the ages of about 9 and 13—is a key time to tackle poor sleep. That's before the spike in rates of depression and the upheavals of adolescence and while the brain is still very responsive. "The brains of children are far more plastic and amenable to change," says Candice Alfano, assistant professor of psychology and pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Sleep changes dramatically after puberty: Circadian rhythms shift so kids naturally stay up later. With schools starting early, kids often don't get enough sleep. Academic and social pressures surge, too.


Strategies to encourage healthy sleep in kids:
-Set a regular bedtime and wake time, even on weekends.
-Make the bedroom a dark and quiet oasis for sleep. No homework in bed.
-Create a calming bedtime routine. For younger kids: a bath and story. For older kids: Reading or listening to mellow music.
-Limit caffeine consumption, especially after 4 p.m.
-Ban technology (TV, Web surfing, texting) in the half hour before bed. The activities are stimulating. The light from a computer can interfere with the production of the sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin.
-Don't send kids to bed as punishment or allow them to stay up late as a reward for good behavior. This delivers a negative message about sleep.
-Help kids review happy moments from the day. Have them imagine a TV with a 'savoring channel.' Relegate anxious thoughts to 'a worry channel.'


A small study suggested healthy sleep may be able to help protect kids from depression—even those at high-risk because of genetics. (Both anxiety disorders and depression are believed to be partly inherited.) The study, published in 2007 in the journal Development and Psychopathology, found that children who fell asleep quicker and spent more time in the deepest stage of sleep were less likely to develop depression as young adults. A larger body of research shows that improving sleep in kids and adults who already have mental-health problems also leads to a stronger recovery.


There are many relatively simple things parents can do to promote healthy sleep. Make sure kids have a consistent bedtime and wake time, even on weekends. Create a calming bedtime ritual. For young kids, that could mean reading stories, taking a bath and singing songs. For older kids, limit technology during the half hour before bedtime. The light from computers and TVs can actually suppress the body's production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, says Judith A. Owens, director of sleep medicine at Children's National Medical Center. And video games, television and Web surfing are stimulating to the brain. "I can't tell you how many teenagers wake up at 3 a.m. to make sure they haven't gotten a text message in the last hour," she says.


Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are experimenting with a behavioral treatment called "savoring" to treat anxious kids with sleep problems.
It involves teaching kids to imagine a television with various channels. They then practice developing a "savoring" channel filled with positive thoughts about a fun conversation they had with a friend, for example, or a sleepover they're looking forward to.
At bedtime, the kids are encouraged to switch from the "worry" channel to the savoring channel. By focusing on positive thoughts at night, researchers hope to improve the children's sleep, ease their anxiety symptoms and prevent depression.


Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Wall Street Journal

Here are two other excellent references for children with sleep problems:

1. Ferber, Richard. Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems. 1985.Good solid information on sleep cycles; helpful both as prevention and intervention with sleep problems.

2. Huntley, Rebecca. The Sleep Book for Tired Parents. 1991.Presents sleep basics, trouble spots, and Four different approaches to sleep problems: small steps, cry it out, family bed, and live with it.

Again, if you do have concerns regarding your child's sleep patterns, please contact your child's physician!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Have You Scheduled Your Child's Annual Check Up?


Did you know that the current recommendations for the American Academy of Pediatrics are for children to get a well child exam annually? This has changed within the past few years. The recommendation used to be that they get a well child exam every other year after two years of age.

It may seem early in the year to even think about scheduling your child's check up, but this is when the busy season starts! All children who are entering kindergarten or middle school, who have not had a well child exam within the past year will need one before they register for school! This time of year, our doctors' appointments fill up quick! Some of them are even booked out up to 12 weeks! So if you have not done so already, please call the office as soon as possible to schedule your child's well visit!

To read more on why it is recommended for your child to have a well visit annually, you can read this article provided by healthychildren.org.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Fact Friday- CPR at Willowcreek

Announcing Infant and children CPR Courses for Parents!

Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 3:00 pm

The class will last approximately 1 hour

$15 per person

15-20 spots open

To sign up, please speak with our office coordinator, Margie.  You can call her in the office or email her at margiet@wasatchpeds.net.  It will be on a first come first serve basis!

This is only a CPR class, not certification.  It will be taught by Christine Keddington, who is certified to teach CPR.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Being optimistic pays off



I love to hear that being optimistic pays off! I was raised that attitude is everything, and so I feel that being optimistic has always been a part of my nature. However, I have learned that being optimistic myself is one thing, but teaching my children to be optimistic is another. Teaching children to be optimistic in hard times can sometimes be a challenge. However, the article below states that if you will put the efforts into teaching your children to be optimistic, it will pay off. In an article found on http://www.healthychildren.org/ , a study says that being optimistic does make a difference in teens' mental health and behavior, especially against the onset of depressive symptoms. Click here for full article.  Here is part of that article by the AAP and Healthychildren.org

In the study, "A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks," published in the February 2011 issue of Pediatrics (published online Jan. 10), study authors assessed 5,634 students aged 12 to 14 years over three years on optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use and antisocial behaviors.

Levels of optimism in boys remained stable but in girls there were marked falls in optimism across the study. At any given time optimistic teens were doing much better in terms of health risks. Most importantly, risks for the later onset of depression in adolescents who reported high levels of optimism were almost half those of the least optimistic. Optimism was also protective against the onset of substance abuse and antisocial behaviors such as theft, interpersonal violence and property damage.

The authors found that although optimism is protective against adolescent health risks it is not a panacea. Preventive interventions will also need to address other aspects of psychological and interpersonal functioning as well as the social circumstances in which younger teens are growing up.

**article by http://www.healthychildren.org/ and AAP

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MMR Vaccine Study Retracted

The study done in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield and 12 others, which implied a link between the MMR vaccine and Autism, has been retracted. After numerous studies and investigations into the matter, it was determined that in all 12 of the cases reported, the medical history of the patients was fabricated, or altered in some way. Although he has been completely stripped of all of his credentials, Wakefield continues to defend himself.
You can read the article in full from the British Medical Journal at http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452.full.

All of our doctors at Willow Creek do recommend getting your child fully immunized. If you have any questions regarding this news and your childs' immunizations, please to not hesitate to contact the office!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

RSV--Be prepared

Dominque and Monique born at 28 weeks--weighing 2 pounds

What is RSV and how can I protect my child from getting it?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects almost all children at least once before they are 2 years old. Most of the time this virus only causes minor cold-like symptoms. However, for some babies infection can be more dangerous.
For certain infants who are extremely preterm (infants born before 32 weeks of pregnancy) or who are born with severe heart disease or severe lung disease, RSV infection can be especially serious. Preterm infants often have underdeveloped lungs and may have difficulty fighting an RSV infection once they become infected.

There are important steps you can take to prevent exposure to RSV and other viruses, especially in the first few months of your child's life. These precautions include: FOR ALL CHILDREN , not just premature infants...


•Make sure everyone washes their hands before touching your baby.
•Keep your baby away from anyone who has a cold, fever, or runny nose.
•Keep your baby away from crowded areas like shopping malls.
•Keep your baby away from tobacco smoke. Parents should not expose their infants and young children to secondhand tobacco smoke, which increases the risk of and complications from severe viral respiratory infections.
•For high-risk infants, participation in child care should be restricted during RSV season whenever possible.
•All high-risk infants and their contacts should be immunized against influenza beginning at 6 months of age.
Call your healthcare provider right away if your baby has any of these symptoms:
•Fever. In an infant younger than 3 months of age, a fever greater than 100.4° F (rectal) is cause for concern
•Persistent coughing
•Wheezing
•Rapid breathing
•Problems breathing or gasping for breath
•Blue color of the lips or around the mouth
You should consult with your pediatrician regarding specific details on who is at highest risk. There are many resources to find out more about RSV--here are a few links below!  http://www.rsvprotection.com/
Dominique and Monique now at 14 years of age--healthy, happy and strong young teenagers! (and children of Nicole--a member of our front staff)

Parts of article from the AAP, www.healthychildren.org and www.AAP.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tell Us.....

Every week we try to bring you information that we feel like most parents would find useful. We hope that we are achieving this goal and that we are giving you access to information that you might not otherwise have. We would like to give you the opportunity to let us know what you would like to know about! If there is anything that you have always wondered about or anything that you would like to see us post about, leave us a comment and let us know! We love any feedback we can get!