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Pediatrics and Vaccinations

In 1975, two year old Rahima Banu contracted l...

A growing controversy in the area of pediatrics are vaccinations. Vaccinations became widely used during the 1800s smallpox outbreak. Over the years the number of vaccinations grew in accordance with the number of fatal childhood illnesses. There is an argument among parents that the number of vaccinations children are receiving is unnecessary and causing more illnesses than they prevent. A growing community has emerged to educate parents and to stop the number of vaccinations and in some cases stop vaccinations altogether.

So, what is a vaccine? What vaccinations should children have and by what age? What is the success rate of vaccinations in preventing illness in the world’s children? Vaccines are simply medications or mixtures of medications with small amounts of a virus that are injected or ingested by a patient. These medications are designed to build immunity to the virus they are treating. They have progressed over the years from five vaccinations to over fifteen vaccinations. An increase in fatal illnesses is cited for the increase in pediatric vaccinations.

There is a general consensus among within pediatrics that children should be vaccinated for Tdap, HPV, Meningococcus, and Influenza. These vaccines should be followed up, over a scheduled amount of time from infancy to eleven, with MMR, Hepatitis B, Varcella, Polio, Hepatitis A, and Pneumococcus. Parents opposed to vaccinations claim that all but two or three of these vaccinations are needed. Some even argue that none are needed and that their parental rights supersedes the rights of the medical community and government to administer the vaccines.

The success rate of vaccinations in preventing illnesses speaks for itself in the bodies of healthy children across the world. Though there have been isolated cases of the vaccinations not working or of children being allergic to the vaccinations there is no scientific evidence that they harm the children they are designed to help. As with any medical issue there will be opposition. When it comes to a child’s health and safety it is natural to be cautious but it is also natural to obtain the knowledge before making a choice.

Filed Under: Medical Research, Pediatrics Tagged With: , , ,

The Basics of Immunizations.

Child receiving polio vaccine.
Image via Wikipedia

With the development of pediatrics there have been developments in vaccinations. The topic of vaccinations can be daunting and confusing for some parents. It is time consuming to learn about all the vaccines, when to give them, and why children should even be taking them. However, there are several key factors that take only a few minutes of education and can help many parents make informed decisions regarding their child’s immunization schedule.

Children should be immunized using a schedule that begins within the first few months of life throughout the age of eleven or twelve. This immunization schedule can be picked up at the doctor’s office or clinic during the first visit. This schedule will make keeping up with vaccinations easy and clear. There are fifteen vaccinations that children need. These include booster shots and follow up vaccinations. Doses vary between one dose and four doses over time depending on the specific vaccine.

The pediatric society does warn that there are side effects and that this side effects are minor and considered to be normal. Fever, rash, and minor soreness are all normal. Vaccinations have been known, in isolated and rare cases, to have severe risks. For this reason it is always best to check with the physician or clinic and find out the warning signs of a severe adverse reaction. There is also a publication which will give clear warning signs so that parents can act on the signs quickly.

Immunization under the age of five is vital. Children under the age of five have an increased risk of illness due to their immune system development. Immunizations, if not started earlier, should start no later than the age of two to prevent illness. Cost can be a factor for some parents. If this is the case seek guidance from a physician in pediatrics or a clinic. There are programs to cover expenses of childhood immunizations.

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Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Immunization Tagged With: , ,

The Risks of Refusing Immunizations

Many parents have decided to prevent their children from being immunized due to increased concern and possible risk factors caused by immunizations. Though there are no laws governing immunizations and the pediatric society has no governing power over them either. Parents are well within their legal rights to deny immunization of their children. However, there are a few things that parents should know before they make this life changing choice for their children.

Immunizations for children should begin by the age of two. The ages between birth and five years are very risky due to the decreased effectiveness of the immune system. This means that if a child is not vaccinated they are much more vulnerable to illnesses. Rare illnesses are not excluded simply because they are rare. If a virus or illness is present then the child is vulnerable to that illness. Many of the illnesses are either fatal or have left lasting impressions of their presence including loss of mobility, speech, and even sight.

The education system requires immunizations of students prior to their registration and entry into classes. This is true of both public and private schools and is in place to protect children in the classroom and community from infection. Though there are no laws stating that immunizations must be given, schools can decide if a child may remain enrolled based on the students immunization record. If the school system or officials feel that there is a threat to the health of safety of other children they are well within their right to request immunization in order for a child to enter their education system.

By choosing not to vaccinate a child the parent may be putting the child at a risk for life long injury, pain, or in the worst of cases death. Lack of vaccinations may also prevent the child from attending school and school functions. Both of these issues affect the child’s normal society and educational progression and should be considered when making this important choice.

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Filed Under: Health, Immunization Tagged With: ,

Parents Can Monitor Their Kid’s Health

Kids are a parent’s biggest worry. From the day you were born your parents worried about every bump, bruise, cough and sneeze. And from the moment you had kids, you worried about the same thing. The difference between what your parents could do about it and what you can do about it, however, is enormous. If there is one thing today’s generation has the advantage in, it’s the quality of home medical care and home medical monitoring. There is no telling how healthy kids can now be when their parents use the available technology to monitor health.

At a very basic level, there are advancements in what kids get out of the vitamins they take. The technology used to coat the pills is some of the most advanced scientific processing and manufacturing in the world. The pills dissolve easier and are absorbed into the body quickly so they are effective quicker and for longer. This was not the case 50 years ago. Now kids are in the drivers seat as far as the minerals and nutrients they get.

Another thing kids have access to today that they didn’t have 50 years ago is a pulse oximeter. This is a device that kids can wear on their finger to tell parents how much oxygen is getting to the important parts of the body. This is something that would have taken invasive testing years ago, without any accurate results. But nowadays, this technology is easy to find at your local home medical supply store or pharmacy. The kind of world we live in allows a parent to be able to get more information about their child’s health than ever before. You have to thank technology for being able to feel safer about your kid’s health.

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Filed Under: Child Care, Health Tagged With: , ,

Three Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables

Eat your vegetables!

A recent study published in Nutrition and Dietetics examined children before and after the study to determine the impact of three activities on childhood eating habits. At the end of the study, researchers with Bangkok’s Mahidol University saw children doubling the amount of vegetables they were eating at meals. The variety of vegetables also increased, with children picking four types of vegetables at a meal rather than two kinds. Parents involved in the study reported an increase in the amount of conversation centered around vegetables, and some parents said their children were proud to report the vegetables they had eaten at lunch.

Here are three things you can do to get your kids to eat more veggies.

1. Model good behavior for children. During the study, children watched Popeye cartoons, featuring a sailor who gets buff by eating spinach. Students also ate lunch with teachers who picked nutritious meals, including the recommended number of vegetables. Researchers asked parents to get involved and to model healthy eating habits at home, as well.

2. Get kids involved with growing and cooking vegetables. Over the eight-week study, 26 kindergartners helped plant vegetable seeds. They also helped prepare meals like vegetable soup. At home, kids can be junior cooks. Let them help with measuring and pouring. Older kids can even assist with chopping and peeling vegetables as long as an adult is there to supervise.

3. Expose children to a variety of vegetables. During the study, researchers hosted tasting parties. This is something you can do at home, too. Incorporate a new vegetable or use choices your children already like in a new way. This can be as simple as cutting a cucumber into a fun shape and serving it with a new dip. You can have kids pick less common vegetables, like okra, and try it cooked in different ways.

By combining multimedia, positive role models, and personal connection with vegetables, parents can promote healthy food choices that will last a child’s lifetime.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Nutrition Tagged With: , ,