Health | Pediatric Surgery

The Basics of Immunizations.

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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.

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

Benefits of Cord Blood Storage

Cord blood storage is something that many expectant mothers hear about from their doctors. Different companies advertise to expectant mothers offering them the option of having their newborns cord blood stored in safe secure environments. Parents can choose to donate the cord blood making it available to themselves and other family members or they may choose to donate the stored cord blood to others in need or to research.

There are several benefits to storing cord blood. One of the main benefits is that cord blood can be stored for an indefinite amount of time. This means that if the cord blood is needed at a later date a parent or authorized guardian may access the cord blood. This is curcial in casees where childhood cancer has developed a year or more after birth. In these cases cord blood can be obtained and used by the Pediatrics department and Healthcare officials to help aide in it’s application for the child’s recovery.

Another benefit to storing cord blood is that it can be stored to assist in further research. With the time frame being open for storage possibilties this means that parents may choose at some point that they no longer wish to use all or portions of the stored cord blood. In this case they may choose to donate the remaining cord blood to research programs that are working to further the medical benefits of this resource.

A final benefit to storing cord blood that should be considered is its ability to help other children and adults that suffer from certain illnesses such as pediatrics related illnesses, leukemia, and injuries where cord blood can be used to grow and repair cells within the body. This benefit alone is a mircle to someone who may not have access to cord blood or who is willing to work with researchers to help their children or family member suffering from something cord blood could cure. Healthcare professionals are working hard daily to promote the benefits and research related to cord blood and cord blood storage helps in that endeavor.

Filed Under: Cord blood, Medical Research Tagged With: Cord blood, Health, Health care

Monitor Your Child with a Finger Pulse Oximeter and Other Devices

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If you have a child who has health problems, especially of the heart, lungs or circulatory system, you may have to monitor him more closely than you would other children. The same is true of a child who’s very overweight and must exercise to lose the extra pounds. One of the monitoring devices you can use to check your child’s health is a finger pulse oximeter. You can also use a blood pressure monitor, and be sure to take your child’s temperature regularly. These three devices together will help you know the overall health and well being of your child.

Having a sick child, or worrying over one that’s very obese and must lose weight for his health, can be stressful. There are few things that can really be done to take that stress away, but even being able to ease it is helpful. When you have a way to monitor your child, the stress that you’re facing won’t be as severe, because you’ll have up-to-the-second information that will help you stay more informed and in tune with what’s going on. Just knowing what’s taking place is often one of the best ways to feel better and more in control of a situation.

While there are plenty of things in your life – and your child’s life – that you can’t control, being able to monitor important conditions is very valuable. It gives some measure of comfort, and it can help you determine whether things are stable or whether your child needs to see a doctor or go to the emergency room. Even something as simple as monitoring blood pressure, oxygen and temperature gives security that you would otherwise miss out on. It can keep you in the loop and can also help your child to feel safer and more protected because his condition is being closely monitored.

Filed Under: Conditions and Diseases, General, Health Tagged With: Blood pressure, Health, Pulse oximeter

Find Out Why Head Lice Shouldn’t Keep Your Child Out of School

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If you have school-aged children, you probably know about the standard head lice checks many schools conduct as a part of their public safety efforts. Usually, the school nurse calls in students and checks each child for signs of the parasitic insects. In times past, the nurse would call a parent to come get the child if she found any symptoms of head lice. Once parents successfully treated the lice, the school would check for nits and either accept or decline to let the student back in school.

While this was once the standard, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages schools to abandon the “No-Nit Rule.” In its updated guide detailing how to treat head lice, the AAP reports that head lice shouldn’t cause medical alarm. According to the AAP, pediculus capitis don’t contribute to the spread of disease. Even though nits can be pesky, head lice shouldn’t cause a student to miss school. With no medical harm evident, it could be more detrimental for a student to miss seven to ten days of school.

The quick breeding cycle of head lice and the parasite’s ability to spread on contact can make it difficult for a school to keep head lice to a minimum. A female louse can lay up to ten eggs a day and has a life cycle of up to four weeks. The nits hatch within 10 to 14 days and can begin their own mating cycle soon after. Head lice live on human hair and feed by sucking blood from the scalp once a day. In order to get rid of head lice, the AAP recommends parents use a non-toxic formula containing at least one percent permethrin lotion. Applying the formula seven to ten days after the original application can help catch any nits just starting to hatch. Parents can find over-the-counter head lice products at reasonable prices at many grocery stores and pharmacies. In addition to applying a solution to kill lice, parents can use a head lice comb to remove any nits stuck to strands of hair.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Medical Research Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Head-louse infestation, Health

Hospitals Report an Increase in Childhood Kidney Stones

When most people think of kidney stones, they think of older individuals. But kidney stones can form at any age, and some U.S. hospitals are treating more kids for the condition than in years past. Kidney stones are the result of crystal-forming substances occurring in high quantities in the urine. Typically, the substances are calcium, oxalate, or uric acid. At the higher quantities, the liquid of the urine fails to dissolve the substance, leading to the formation of a kidney stone.

A recent study of data from pediatric hospitals in the U.S. indicated an increase from 125 cases of children with kidney stones in 1999 to over 1,300 in 2008. Doctors who reviewed the data were reluctant to say the upswing is a trend. The information corresponds to children seen at hospitals; therefore, it may not be a true representation of the average U.S. population. The increase could be the result of pediatric clinics designated for kidney stones. Doctors may refer more patients to these clinics than they would have prior to them opening.

Some researchers believe there may be a connection between the increase in childhood obesity and the increase in children developing kidney stones. As research continues into the obesity epidemic that has gained national attention in part because of First Lady Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the connection may become more apparent. As with obesity, children’s diet may be a contributing factor. Dr. Jonathan C. Routh, a practitioner at Boston’s Children’s Hospital explained that an increase in sodium intake, eating more animal fat, and not getting enough fluids can increase the risk of kidney stones. Children who have a family history of the condition may see an elevated risk, as well. To prevent kidney stones, parents can make sure their kids drink plenty of water, especially after exercising or during warmer weather. Keep in mind children who have had one kidney stone have an increased risk of developing additional ones later in life. Passing a kidney stone can be very painful. If you think your child might have one, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Medical Research Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Health, Kidney stone

Get Ready! It’s Immunization Time

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As summer rolls to an end, parents should think about getting kids ready to go back to school. This may include getting immunizations and vaccines according to state regulations. Exactly what you need varies depending on the state where you live and the risks for certain diseases. If you don’t know what shots your child needs, talk with your school district or pediatrician. Most doctors stay abreast of the requirements in order to provide the best care. You’ll want to consider whether to get shots that schools recommend but don’t require. If you have a teenage daughter, you may want to look into the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer. Like many vaccines, controversy surrounds this one. The HPV vaccine helps protect against conditions caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Some parents think it’s better to teach children abstinence than rely on a vaccine.

While most pediatricians recommend vaccinations, there are some medical professionals who believe children no longer need them. Officials in areas that have experienced recent outbreaks of illnesses, like whooping cough and chicken pox, disagree. The Health Department in Washington is keeping tabs on outbreaks occurring in Canada and warning parents to take preventive measures. If you can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket for shots, check with your practitioner. Many states have programs to cover the expense. You’ll have to pay a portion of the bill, but it’ll cost less than paying full price. Many insurance companies cover shots as part of the standard coverage for children under 19. Health Department officials also remind people that some illnesses have no cure but are preventable with vaccines and immunizations.

If you don’t want to get your children immunized or vaccinated, check with your childcare provider or your school district to determine what you need to do to satisfy the health requirements. In some cases, an alternative medical practitioner, like a chiropractor, can write you a note exempting your child. If you decide to opt out of immunization, your child may be more susceptible to illness, especially if she’s around kids who have just gotten shots.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Diagnosis, Health Tagged With: Health, Human papillomavirus, Immunization, Vaccine

Food Management Magazine Honors Texas Children’s Hospital

Each year, Food Management magazine awards noncommercial foodservice providers for exceptional accomplishments or innovation in the industry. The competition considers a variety of areas within foodservice, such as planning for special events, wellness initiatives, convenience retailing, facility design, and new menu items. In 2010, the editorial staff at the magazine evaluated more than 150 entries according to predetermined criteria for the competition. Judges looked at the impact of the achievement, evaluated the effectiveness of it, considered its impact on other organizations or areas, and examined the innovation in comparison to standard practices. After judging the entries, the magazine award Texas Children’s Hospital with the 2010 Best Concept award for the hospital’s Beanie Club program.

The Beanie Club program helps staff members at the hospital teach patients about food nutrition and its relation to health. As part of its initiative, the program helps families and patients pick more nutritious items from the menu through a reward program. When families purchase seven Beanie Club selections from the menu, the hospital rewards their healthy decisions with a free meal. To advertise the program, the hospital designed a green bean mascot, featured on promotional materials throughout the facility. The judges felt the program was, “especially appropriate in a juvenile acute care setting.” The magazine recognized the hospital for offering better choices for patients who often have to stay at the hospital for long periods of time due to serious childhood health issues.

The latest award only helps to confirm Texas Children’s Hospital as the exceptional facility that it is. The nationally recognized hospital is one of the top 10 facilities for children’s medical needs, according to U.S. News and World Report. It offers one of the largest pediatric care networks in the nation and has branches throughout the Houston area. In 2010, the hospital embarked on a $1.5 billion project, called Vision 2010, through which the hospital will add a neurological research institute, a suburban-based hospital, and a high-risk-birth obstetrics facility.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Nutrition, Pediatrics Tagged With: Facilities, Health, Medicine, United States

Learn How to Survive Giving Birth at a New Hospital

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When a hospital announces it’s moving to a new location or opening a new facility, most people view the change as something positive. But if you have a due date around the scheduled transition, you could walk into trouble. When a hospital changes facilities, there are several things that can go wrong. Nurses may have to sign into the new operating system and receive clearance before they can administer medications. This can result in patients not receiving medication on time.

Employees may not know where the new storage areas are for supplies, leading to delays in care. One woman who delivered at a new hospital had to have her family bring towels from home because nurses couldn’t locate the linens. Doctors may not have basic equipment at the new location. A patient who happened to be the first person to have a c-section in a new facility helped the doctors make a list of everything missing from the room (during her c-section), including a clock to time the birth and and special lights.

If you’ll be giving birth at a new facility, here are some tips:

~ Talk with your doctor about your time frame. The first 48 hours are the toughest ones because that’s when the staff’s discovering issues.

~ Pack extra supplies, including toiletries and towels, in case the nurses can’t find supplies.

~ Ask your doctor to walk through the rooms she’ll be using during your delivery to determine whether items are missing before your scheduled due date. This is a good time to make sure she has anything she might need during an emergency and to learn the layout of the facility.

~ Prepare yourself to be flexible. Transitioning to a new facility can be stressful for patients and staff, and there may be something beyond your doctor’s or the nurses control. Do your best to stay calm. When possible, have a family member of friend with you who can go talk to nurses, find your doctor, or track down the food you ordered an hour ago while you’re stuck in bed.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Pediatrics Tagged With: Caesarean section, Health, Hospital, Medicine

Discover the Best Children’s Hospitals for Your Loved One

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Illness is hard on a family, especially when the person suffering is a child. When you’re under stress form an illness, you don’t need to add any more by worrying about the hospital where your child gets treatment. Working with a top-ranked facility can help alleviate the stress, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your child is getting the best care possible.

Each year, U.S. News surveys pediatric centers across the United States. Thousands of doctors responded to the survey and indicated where they would send the sickest children depending on illness. Special areas of care included cancer, kidney, neonatology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, pulmonology, diabetes and endocrinology, heart and heart surgery, urology, and neurology and neurosurgery.

Overall, 62 of the 170 children’s health facilities surveyed ranked in the top 10 for at least one category, but eight hospitals ranked in the top 10 for each category. These eight hospitals are Children’s Hospital Boston, Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, St. Louis Children’s Hospital-Washington University, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley-Komansky Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

While any top-ten ranked children’s hospital is sure to give you the best care possible, you may want to consider treatment options at one of the top three facilities for the specific illness your child has. These hospitals are on the cutting edge of research and have the latest treatment options, including experimental ones. From the list of the top-ranked facilities, the following hospitals hold the top three spots for at least four of the 10 categories.

Children’s Hospital Boston ranks first for heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and urology; second for diabetes and endocrinology and neonatology; and third for cancer, gastroenterology, and pulmonology.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia ranks first for diabetes and endocrinology, neonatology, and pulmonology; second for urology, cancer, gastroenterology, and heart and heart surgery; and third for neurology and neurosurgery and orthopedics.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks first for gastroenterology, second for pulmonology, and third for kidney disorders and neonatology.

Filed Under: Child Care, Diagnosis, Pediatrics Tagged With: Health, Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatric

Parental Behavior Condemns Children to Premature Death

According to Steve Field, who represents 42,000 primary care physicians as the chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, parental influence can be the determining factor in whether a child will grow up to be a healthy adult. Field recently wrote a letter to the Sunday Observer to bring the issue to the media. In it, he blames parents who smoke in front of their children and those who feed their children junk food for committing a type of child abuse. This belief stems from research showing a connection between these habits and the development of illnesses in children exposed to the behavior.

By modeling the behavior, parents may increase the risk of an entire generation developing health issues like diabetes and heart disease. In some cases, it may lead to premature death. When general practitioners tell a patient he needs to lose weight, the patient will often ignore the warning. It’s the same for a doctor who tells a woman to quit smoking. Many patients view general practitioners as spoil sports. Field points to hard evidence backing the warning as the reason for it. He hopes the connection between a parent’s behavior and its affect on the children’s health will inspire parents to take responsibility for their vices.

For some, changing behavior may require additional help and expense. People who have smoked their entire lives may need long-term support to kick the habit. Individuals suffering from obesity may need to work with a nutritionist to learn how to eat correctly and when to eat. If the parent doesn’t understand how to eat with nutrition in mind, how can she teach her child how to eat a balance diet?

While every visit to the doctor is a chance for a practitioner to catch early warning signs, Field believes the future of child health may depend on parents improving their lifestyles and making healthier choices.

Filed Under: Child Care, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Pediatrics Tagged With: General practitioner, Health, Heart disease, The Observer