Happy 15 Year Anniversary Pediatric Safety!
Last updated on October 23rd, 2024 at 03:58 pm
July 17, 2009
Can it possibly be 15 years since Pediatric Safety published its first story? It feels like just yesterday…yet so much has changed since then, and is continuing to change every day.
Back in 2009, our goal was to create a place where everyone who cares about children’s health and safety could get together to stay informed on all the topics that have the potential to affect them and the children in their care. We wanted to make a difference. It didn’t take long to realize that we couldn’t do it on our own.
So we reached out – to parents and doctors and nurses and emergency responders and teachers – to child safety experts around the world – and we asked them for help. And some truly amazing people stepped in to share the journey with us: a pediatrician, a character development and bullying prevention expert, a cybersafety specialist, a family dentist, an EMS safety expert, a child psychologist, a kids and canines specialist, a special needs parenting expert, and a food allergy specialist – all volunteered their time to help make this site a community where you can find answers and hopefully give answers to others when they need them.
We were also fortunate to be offered the opportunity to include NHS Choices articles on Pediatric Safety. NHS Choices is the UK’s biggest, most comprehensive health information website. The articles they have shared with us span the full range of child health and safety issues: from living with disabilities to surviving childhood bullying; from adoption and fostering to puberty and talking about sex; from asthma and allergies to health and fitness.
All told, Pediatric Safety has published almost TWO THOUSAND posts and over TWENTY THOUSAND tweets about child health and safety. And there is more to come, along with some major changes to the site, so please keep coming back and letting us know how we’re doing!
For now, we’d like you to invite you to join us as we celebrate our 15 Year Anniversary
We’re going to take a “look back” at the stories you’ve told us are your favorites – the ones you’ve told us have had the biggest impact on you and your family.
- Bronchiolitis or “Wheezy Bronchitis” and Kids
- Drowning: What Every Parent NEEDS to Know!
- Our Miracle Baby: Aidan’s Story of Surviving CDH
- Is it Too Young to Remove Wisdom Teeth at Age 13?
- In Memory of Noah…please watch your children around cars
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Finally we’d like to thank all of you who have taken this journey with us. At its heart, Pediatric Safety is a place where people can support each other – the village needed to raise a child. If we’ve been able to accomplish even a little of that, then this has been 15 years well spent. We look forward to sharing the days ahead. – with love and gratitude from all of us here at Pediatric Safety
Healthy Road-Trip-Friendly Snacks for Kids
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 06:27 pm
Editors Note: Summer sun and holidays mean family road trips….and lots of challenges finding good-tasting but healthy snacks for your children. Check out these options which can be ordered online or obtained in most locations.
Funley’s Wholly Granolly Clusters
Kids will go crazy for the Peanut Butter Pretzel and Double Chocolate flavors, which come in mini clusters — perfect for tiny hands. You’ll love them for what they don’t have: preservatives, trans fat and high fructose corn syrup. (For a savory and healthier alternative, their Cheddar n’ Stuff Super Crackers have broccoli hidden inside.)
Funleys.com, $4.59
Buddy Fruits Pure Blended Fruit to Go
Fruit cups and applesauce tins aren’t really made for road trips. Enter these all-natural, pure fruit purees in convenient drinkable packages, which make kids eager to eat their produce. Best of all, they don’t need to be refrigerated.
Amazon.com, $18.98 (pack of 18)
Sensible Foods Crunch Dried Snacks, Tropical Blend
When your kids want something crunchy and sweet, reach for these intensely flavored dried fruit snacks. Filled with a mix of dehydrated apples, pineapples, mangos, and bananas – and nothing else — each .75-ounce pouch offers the equivalent of half a cup of fresh fruit.
Agapebabies.com, $7.55
EnviroKidz Organic Lemur Peanut Choco Drizzle Crispy Rice Bar
Moms, if you’re on the hunt for tasty organic, gluten-free treats that your kids will actually eat, look no farther than EnviroKids Crispy Rice Bars. Think of them as a healthier alternative to candy bars. If you’re going to be in a hot car for awhile, you might want to opt for the melt-free flavors, like berry or peanut butter.
HHMatters.com, $6.86
Frigo Cheese Heads String Cheese
If you’re the type of mom who packs a cooler on road trips, toss in a handful of Frigo Cheese Heads. Kid-friendly and fun, without being too messy, string cheese fills kids up with protein and calcium while on the go.
Walmart (in stores only, price varies)
6 Reasons to Call the Pediatrician
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 06:26 pm
Sick children at home? If they’ve got a cold, they’ll usually recover on their own within seven to 10 days, but in some cases, those sniffles can develop into a more serious condition that requires medical attention. If you notice any of the following warning signs in your kids, you’ve got reason to call the pediatrician.
Warning Sign No. 1: A high fever
A fever of 105 F or more can mean your child has another problem, like strep throat. If your baby is younger than 3 months old, you should also call your doctor if he or she has a fever of 100.4 F or more.
Warning Sign No. 2: Symptoms that persist after the fever subsides
Most kids start to perk up after their fever goes down. But if your little one still seems tired and miserable after the number on the thermometer drops, it could mean she’s dehydrated — or even has a more serious infection such as meningitis, so get a hold of your doctor’s office as soon as possible.
Warning Sign No. 3: Wheezing or vomiting while coughing
Call your pediatrician if coughing causes your child to gasp for breath or throw up. She may want to screen for asthma or whooping cough.
Warning Sign No. 4: Symptoms that don’t improve
Kids sometimes catch two colds in a row, so they can be sick for longer than the normal weeklong span. But if it doesn’t seem your child is improving and her runny nose remains consistent for more than 10 days, it’s worth calling your doctor.
Warning Sign No. 5: Rash with fever
Children can get rashes from viruses and allergic reactions. But if the rash doesn’t blanch — or fade — when you press on it, call your pediatrician immediately. It may be a sign of a serious infection.
Warning Sign No. 6: Gut feeling that something’s wrong
I’m a firm believer in a mother’s “sixth sense,” or gut intuition. You know your child best, so if something doesn’t seem right, call your doctor. It’s better to address your concerns early on, so we can catch any illnesses as soon as possible.
Summer Camp Health Tips – a Pediatrician’s Point of View
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 06:26 pm
Letting go of your child for a day, a week or even a month of camp during the summer is often a very difficult thing for parents to do, and initially, might be very difficult for the child. Most children, however, when they return from such an experience almost invariably have enjoyed themselves and gotten the first taste of living without parents. This can be an extraordinary experience for your child as he or she learns to live and be accountable for certain rules and restrictions.
Of course, you as a parent will worry the first couple of times your children go off “by themselves”. It may help to know that every camp is equipped with fairly up to date equipment and at least a very experienced nurse or Doctor. I myself did this (physician for an overnight camp for a 6 week period) just as I completed my Pediatric Residency and prepared to enter the Air Force. It was a rewarding experience for me and my family.
Most incidences of a medical nature are minor although very rarely a serious issue may occur. When you first apply for the camp for your child they will ask for a complete medical history including chronic or serious conditions that your child may have and any and all allergies, medication or non-medication related. This is an extremely important bit of information so try to be as specific as possible.
Teach your child ahead of time about the importance of such simple things as the proper use of insect repellents and sun blocks as these constitute the causes of the majority of the “problems” in the camp setting. They must also need to be taught the importance of reporting to the nurse or physician any issues they are worried about or are experiencing, as some children will do all they can to avoid seeing these people. If your child has a chronic disease such as asthma, he or she must be aware of the problems they can experience as a result of their illness and report such occurrences to the medical staff. Of course, the medical staff will also be familiar with such individual problems. They should also know about how to self-medicate (inhaler, etc.) if necessary.
Poison Ivy is also a very common occurrence as children spend more time outdoors, they should be told what it looks like and feels like so they can see the medical staff when necessary.
Other “problems” are injury-related and should be brought to the attention of the medical staff – fortunately the majority of these are also of a minor nature.
Finally, they will likely be taught about insects and other critters that can be encounter in the wild during the first days or weeks of camp; snakes, small mammals, spiders, etc. The camp staff will be very particular and complete when describing such encounters and will err on the side of conservatism while they are in charge of your child.
Wishing you and your kids a happy, healthy, and safe summer.
Will Immunotherapy Reduce My Child’s Allergies…Is It Worth It?
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 06:26 pm
Immunotherapy is a series of injections that helps build the body’s immunity to substances that trigger allergy symptoms. Each shot contains a tiny amount of the offending allergen. Over time, your immune system builds up a tolerance, which means that those sniffles and watery eyes lessen or even disappear.
Since immunotherapy is a commitment — the entire course takes years — it’s recommended for people who have multiple allergies and suffer from symptoms at least three months out of the year. Speak with your pediatrician about your child. Most doctors, including myself, advise that children should be at least 5 years of age to start allergy shots.
If your child is a candidate, consider whether or not you’d be able to take him to the doctor’s office regularly. He’ll need to get shots once a week for several months, and then once a month or so for two to five more years.
Next, check in with your insurance company. Most cover immunotherapy, but some have a yearly maximum or deductible. It’s important to have a clear idea of what’s covered before you begin treatment.
The good news:
- 85 to 95 percent of patients experience a significant improvement in their allergy symptoms.
- And for most, those benefits last for life.
- What’s more, immunotherapy will protect your child from developing allergy-induced asthma and other types of allergies.
Has anyone in your family tried immunotherapy? Did it work?
6 Summer Illnesses Parents Must Know: How to Spot & Treat Them
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 06:26 pm
You may not think of summer as a major season for sickness, but there are a number of illnesses that occur only in the warm months — and most often in kids. These viruses and bacteria live and breed where kids like to hang out: in lakes, pools and wooded areas.
The main culprits are enteroviruses (which are transmitted through the digestive tract) and viruses carried by deer ticks, says Dr. Jeremias Murillo, an expert in pediatric infectious disease at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel.
There are no vaccines for these viruses, so parents need to be vigilant and prudent, advises Murillo. Steer clear of dirty-looking lakes and overcrowded pools, which can be contaminated with infected feces and sewage. Avoid wooded areas where tick-carrying animals live. And if you’re going hiking, wear white clothing with long sleeves and pants, and check frequently for ticks.
Here’s how to spot and treat the six most common summer ailments:
Summer Sickness No. 1: Enteroviruses
Enteroviruses include Coxsackie viruses; ECHO virus; and hand, foot and mouth disease.
- Source: Water contaminated by human feces, such as lakes and under-chlorinated pools.
- Signs: Upper-respiratory infection; diarrhea and vomiting; pinkeye; skin rashes; and blisters in the mouth and on the hands and feet. Can lead to viral meningitis. Symptoms develop three to seven days after infection.
- Treatment: None. Clears up after a few days.
Summer Sickness No. 2: Lyme Disease
- Source: Bacteria spread by infected ticks.
- Symptoms: A single bull’s-eye rash, body-wide itching, fever, chills, muscle pain, stiff neck and headache. Symptoms come and go. If not treated, Lyme disease can spread to the brain, heart, and joints.
- Treatment: Antibiotics.
Summer Sickness No. 3: Babesiosis
- Source: Parasites spread by infected deer ticks.
- Symptoms: Shaking, chills, very high fever, loss of appetite, and a type of anemia that can lead to jaundice and dark urine. Often misdiagnosed as malaria.
- Treatment: Antimalarial medications and antibiotics.
Summer Sickness No. 4: Ehrlichiosis
- Source: Bacteria spread by infected ticks.
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, flat red rash, and tiny areas of bleeding on the skin. Can also cause anemia and blunt the immune system, leading to other infections. Symptoms develop seven to nine days after the bite.
- Treatment: Antibiotics.
Summer Sickness No. 5: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Source: Bacteria spread by wood.
- Symptoms: Prominent, generalized rash that starts in hands and feet and spreads to the rest of the body. Also, chills, fever, severe headache, muscle pain, mental confusion. Can affect organs if not treated immediately. Symptoms develop two to 14 days after the bite.
- Treatment: Antibiotics.
Summer Sickness No. 6: E-coli
- Source: Bacteria found in sewage-contaminated lakes and other water
- Symptoms: Sudden, severe and bloody diarrhea. Also, fever, gas, loss of appetite, and stomach cramping. Symptoms develop 24 to 72 hours after infection.
- Treatment: None. Sickness disappears in a few days.
Most cases of these illnesses are fairly mild, but some can lead to serious complications — and very rarely, death. Being aware of the causes and signs can help you protect your kids — and ensure your summer fun.
