Archive for the ‘News and Updates’ Category
Infants’ Tylenol recalled over bottle design problems. Read about the precautions for the new infant tylenol dosing schedule.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Infants’ Tylenol recalled over bottle design problems
Johnson & Johnson on Friday recalled an estimated 547,000 bottles of infants’ Tylenol following complaints from parents about its new bottle cap and dose syringe. The company’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare division said that the drug was safe and that there were no reports of adverse effects. The Wall Street Journal (2/17),ABC News/The Associated Press (2/17)
Acetaminophen is one of the most common drugs given to kids and one of the hardest to give correctly, because it’s sold in many forms. This chart can help you choose the right dose for your child, from birth to 96-plus pounds.
View and print this acetaminophen dosage chart.
Take note! As of July 2011, infant concentrated drops are being phased out in the United States and replaced with less-concentrated form of the medicine. The concentrated drops are still safe to use as long as the dose is correct. They are three times as concentrated as the new infant medicine, so use caution: Know your child’s weight and follow the dosage chart.
Find out how to tell the difference between the old and new infant acetaminophen.
Whether you’re giving your child the old infant drops, the new infant liquid, children’s liquid, or another form of acetaminophen, bear in mind these important points:
- Don’t give acetaminophen to a baby under 3 months without the approval of one of our doctors’, nurse practitioner’s or physician assistant’s approval.
- The proper dose for your child is based on weight, not age.
- Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine — not a spoon from the kitchen.
- Never give acetaminophen to a child who’s taking other medicines unless directed by a doctor. The other medicine may also contain acetaminophen, creating a dangerous overdose.
- Don’t confuse concentrated infant drops with infant liquid (called infant drops by some manufacturers, but not labeled “concentrated”) or children’s liquid. Concentrated infant drops are three times stronger than the infant liquid so the dose must be smaller.
Hint: Drops come with a dropper; infant liquid (or non-concentrated “drops”) comes with a syringe; children’s liquid comes with a cup. - Don’t exceed five doses in 24 hours.
- Call our office if you have any questions about Tylenol dosing.
David B. Roos, M.D.
Asthma: What You Need To Know
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Asthma: What You Need To Know
Asthma can be a frightening and overwhelming diagnosis. Parents often come in to the office requesting that their child be tested for asthma. How do you know if your child has asthma?
Asthma, also referred to as Reactive Airway Disease or RAD, can occur on a mild- intermittent basis or can occur on a persistent basis. Symptoms of RAD may include a chronic cough that has persisted over a month, a chronic cough that only occurs at night, a cough or wheeze that occurs during or after exercise or activity. Sometimes a respiratory illness, such as RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) may predispose or trigger RAD symptoms in a young child.
RAD can be hereditary. Children and adolescents with allergies and eczema may be more likely to develop RAD. RAD can have several “triggers”. Common RAD triggers include animal dander, dust mites, molds, pollen, tobacco smoke and second hand smoke, exercise, cold weather, upper respiratory illness.
Physical symptoms of RAD include wheezing, feelings of chest tightness and shortness of breath, and a tight, persistent cough.
RAD is treated with two types of medications known as Rescue and Controller Medications.
Rescue medications are used to bring about fast or immediate relief of the RAD symptoms. These medications open the airway and help to ease the work of breathing. The rescue medication should be available at all times in case of emergent or worsening symptoms. The rescue medications should only be used when RAD symptoms are present.
Controller medications need to be taken on a daily basis to control RAD, whether symptoms are present or not. The controller medications help to prevent RAD symptoms before they start, so the rescue medication might not be needed as often. These medications also help to control the amount of excess mucus and inflammation that occurs as a result of the RAD. If RAD is not adequately treated, scarring and permanent lung restriction can occur.
Rescue and controller medications come in inhaler forms, that include metered dose inhalers, flexhalers, and diskus. We recommend that inhalers be administered via a spacer or aerochamber for more accurate administration of the medication. Rescue and controller medications also come in liquid form to be administered through a nebulizer. The nebulizer is the more preferred method for infants and young children and for those children with more acute RAD symptoms.
Children and adolescents with RAD should have regular appointments to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment regimen every 3 to 6 months. An Asthma Action Plan should be established for all children with asthma, and then the plan should be reviewed and updated at subsequent follow up appointments. All children with asthma should have a flu vaccine every season, as well as, all family members.
Vona Lantz, CPNP
Does My Child Have the Flu?
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Does My Child Have the Flu?
As we head into peak flu season, it might be helpful to review just what exactly is “the flu.” The flu is caused by the influenza virus and circulates in the winter season. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, body aches, cough, headache and fatigue. These severe symptoms can last up to 4-5 days and generally make a person miserable.
Influenza is sometimes confused with colds or stomach “bugs” but it is not the same thing.
Vomiting and diarrhea illnesses are often erroneously referred to as ‘the flu’ but are not caused by the influenza virus. The influenza virus does not typically causes intestinal symptoms. (Although it may occasionally cause vomiting in some young children.)
Since the flu and colds both cause respiratory symptoms, it can be confusing to figure out which one you or your child has. A comparison of symptoms:
SYMPTOM COLD FLU
——————————————————————————–
Fever Rare or Low-grade (up to 104F) High
——————————————————————————————–
Body aches Minimal Prominent
——————————————————————————————–
Cough Mild to Moderate Common and Severe
———————————————————————————————
Stuffy Nose Prominent & Common Sometimes
——————————————————————————————–
Headache Rare Prominent
———————————————————————————————
Fatigue Mild Can last up to 2 weeks
——————————————————————————————–
Complications Ear/sinus infection Can be serious: Pneumonia
If you are not sure if your child may have the flu, call our office for an appointment. We have rapid flu tests that can detect the virus. A nasal swab is used to obtain a specimen and the test takes 10 minutes to run. If the test is positive, we may opt to treat your child with anti-viral medication but only if started within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms. These medications help lessen the severity and length of illness.
And don’t forget, it is not too late to still get a flu shot. We have vaccine available in our office for our patients and their parents!
Jaime Fell, PA-C
How to Boost Your Child’s Immune System
Monday, November 28th, 2011
How to Boost Your Child’s Immune System Kids are exposed to thousands of bacteria and viruses every year and the surprise is they aren’t sick more often than they are. Their immune system is their defense to fight all these germs. How can parents help their children have the strongest immune system possible so their kids can be as healthy as they individually can be? Diet and lifestyle decisions are two important areas that parents can influence.
Diet:
1. Offer More Fresh Fruit and Vegetables- Use some creativity and put fruits and veggies into your kid’s daily diet. Vitamins and minerals in these foods help support their immune system. Some of the best sources of vitamins include apricots, bananas, blueberries, broccoli, tomatoes, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, papaya, spinach, strawberries, and sweet potatoes.
2. Reduce Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners- Kids generally have too much refined sugar in the processed foods and sweets they eat. This is a problem because sugar suppresses the immune system. Artificial sweeteners offer fewer calories than sugar but are no help for immunity. Aspartame may cause headaches and Splenda may cause gas or diarrhea.
3. Use Good Fats- Kids need a certain amount of good fats like Omega 3 fatty acids to stay healthy and build up their immune system. Flax seed oil and many types of fish, like salmon, are good sources of Omega 3. Flax seed oil can be added to oatmeal or other hot cereals and your kids will continue to enjoy their cereal like they always have.
4. Offer Yogurt- Give active culture yogurt to your kids to help them restore the healthy bacteria (Lactobacillus) in their digestive system. Yogurt is also high in calcium to support strong bones, teeth and muscle. Avoid the yogurts that are high in sugar and colored like candy. Probiotics can also be helpful.
5. Encourage Healthy Fluid Intake- Children and adults generally need more fluids than they are currently drinking. Offer your kids more water and more 1% or 2% milk each day and a limited amount of vitamin rich fruit juices. Avoid sodas and other beverages high in sugar or artificial sweeteners.
6. Offer Vitamins and Minerals- Vitamins help the immune system. Vitamins A, C, and E are collectively known as the anticancer vitamins. The immune system needs these plus minerals like zinc and selenium to do its job. Zinc boosts the immune system and reduces the severity and duration of colds and other viral infections. Dark green leafy vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and kale and orange vegetables like carrots are high in Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins and minerals support helper T-cells and this strengthens immunity. Vitamins and minerals also help in fighting colds and flu. Vitamin C is available in many fresh fruits. Vitamin and mineral supplements are helpful for all children to ensure a healthy foundation for their immune system. Centrum Junior Chewable vitamins and Emergen-C Junior (powder which is added to water to make a fizzy, fruit flavored drink) are two of the many vitamin and mineral choices for school-aged kids.
Lifestyle Influences:
1. Insist On Adequate Sleep- Make sure your children are getting enough sleep. The amount of sleep needed by children every night varies by their age. Sleep gives your kids time to store up new energy and make necessary repairs for the day ahead.
2. Encourage Exercise- Kids need exercise every day. Exercise strengthens muscle, balances emotions and builds up the immune system while it makes the rest of the body healthier. Be creative with options for exercise: walk, run, ride bikes, swim, participate in sports, dance or exercise with the Wi or at a health club. Exercise with your kids.
3. Be A Good Example- Kids model most of their behavior after watching their parents walk through life. Think seriously about not smoking cigarettes or abusing alcohol or drugs. These addictions all suppress immunity and lead to many other problems for you and your children. Give them a good example to follow with your own healthy choices concerning nutrition and exercise.
David B. Roos, M.D. 11/23/2011
Halloween Safety Tips
Monday, October 31st, 2011
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe holiday.
All Dressed Up:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
Evaluation and Management of ADHD
Friday, October 21st, 2011
Evaluation and Management of ADHD
Staying Healthy This Fall Season
Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
Staying Healthy This Fall Season
It’s hard to believe we are already into the fall season! School has been in session for one to two months now. What can you do for you and your family to promote staying healthy throughout the fall season?
Good health begins with the basics. Healthy nutrition practices are very important. Starting each day with a nutritious breakfast is vital. All too often, breakfast is skipped because of not enough time, it’s felt it isn’t important, or fear of gaining weight. Eating a healthy breakfast helps to kick start your morning. It helps to improve brain function and decision making and increases your metabolism.
It’s important to eat regular meals through out the day and also include healthy snacks. Include several servings of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, low fat dairy products, and lean sources of protein. Make sure to have food sources from carbohydrates and proteins at all meals in order to sustain a healthy blood sugar level. Fats are important too! Healthy fats that is! Examples of healthy fats are almonds, walnuts, avocados, olive oil, and canola oil. Remember fats carry more calories so eat smaller amounts through out the day. Nuts are also a great source of fiber and vitamin E. Vitamin E is a potent anti-oxident that can help fight infections and improve immune system functions. Berries, such as, raspberries, blue berries, and strawberries are also potent anti-oxidents.
Adequate hydration is very important. Most individuals do not drink enough water daily. It is essential to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. You can count milk or juice in that amount but should not include carbonated or caffeine-containing beverages in the daily requirement.
Sleep is especially important for good health and well-being. Some researchers say that sleep deprivation in teenage years may contribute to chronic health conditions later in life, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For the adult years, lack of sleep has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. It is essential to have between 6 and 8 hours of sleep consistently every night.
Personal hygiene is a given, especially during the cold and flu season. Hand-washing on a regular basis will help to alleviate the spread of germs and illness. Remember to always wash your hands before eating or any food preparation.
Keeping your children and adolescent’s immunizations current will help to protect them from serious illness and disease. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s flu vaccine for the upcoming flu season. We are also offering flu vaccine for parents, for your convenience.
Vona Lantz, MSN, CPNP
Flu Shots Are Here!
Friday, September 30th, 2011
We will be holding our annual flu clinics on Saturdays October 15 and October 29 from 9am to noon. We are offering both the injection and the nasal mist. Please call 303-695-7667 for an appointment!
Symptoms of Diabetes
Monday, September 26th, 2011
Many patients and their families may not recognize the symptoms of diabetes that can be subtle and they may not seek medical attention until their child or teen is very ill.
Symptoms for Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin dependent diabetes)
- Frequent urination. It may be difficult for an individual to go much more than an hour without a very strong urge to urinate. Their body pulls water from body tissues trying to dilute the high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood and there are large volumes of water lost from their body. Many new diabetics are severely dehydrated at the time of diagnosis. Frequent urination is difficult to pick up in infants because they are in diapers.
- Unusual Thirst. There is a very strong drive to drink constantly any fluid they can find. Unfortunately, any fluid with carbohydrate content (juice, milk, sugared soda) will continue to raise their blood sugar and this increases their urge to drink and urinate.
- Extreme hunger. The body is starving for glucose energy because without insulin, glucose is unable to enter the cells of the body. Individuals crave food like never before and again all of the carbohydrates they ingest will raise their blood sugar level even higher.
- Unusual weight loss. Many new diabetics will lose up to 5-15% of their body weight in just a few days to a few weeks by the time they are diagnosed.
- Extreme fatigue and irritability.Muscle cells are energy starved so there is noticeable physical fatigue. Brain cells lack glucose and this results in irritability and eventual poor mentation.
- Blurred vision. Water moves from inside the eyes to the blood vessels and the decreased volume of the eye leads to blurred vision when the blood sugar level gets high enough.
- Yeast infections. Infants may have recurrent yeast (Candida) diaper rash or thrush (Candida/yeast) in their mouth. Yeast is more likely to flourish when glucose levels are high.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes (insulin resistance) may include
- Any of the type 1 symptoms. These symptoms for type 2 patients generally are less dramatic than those in type 1 diabetes.
- Obesity. Obesity is epidemic in the U.S. and affects infants, children, teens, and adults. Currently 20-35% of adult in this country obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
- Frequent infections. High blood sugar levels produce a perfect environment for bacterial, viral, and yeast infections. Individuals may present with recurrent skin, gum, bladder, or vaginal infections.
- Cuts, wounds, and bruises that are slow to heal. This occurs because diabetes can lead to poor circulation, nerve damage, weakened immunity, and an increased risk of infection. Each of these factors contributes to difficulty healing diabetic cuts, wounds, and bruises.
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Chronic high blood sugar levels will damage nerves and this can cause neuropathy that produces tingling and numbness in hands and feet.
Schedule an appointment with Crown Point Pediatrics if your son or daughter is experiencing any of these symptoms. Our office can do appropriate blood glucose, urine sugar, and additional blood testing to check for diabetes.
David B. Roos, M.D.
Text4Baby
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Text Message Help for Pregnant Moms and Infants
If you are a pregnant or new mom, there is a new free service called Text4Baby that can help keep you and your baby healthy.
Text4Baby will send 3 text messages each week to your cell phone with expert health tips to help you through your pregnancy and your baby’s first year. It’s free to sign up and the messages are free. To sign up, text “baby” to 511411.
To sign up for Text4Baby in Spanish, text “BEBE” to 511411 (envia “BEBE” al 511411 para Espanol). You can also sign up and find more information at www.text4baby.org. Text4Baby is an educational service of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.
Some sample text messages from this service include: 
Need free or low-cost healthcare for you or your baby? Call 877-543-7669 to find out if you qualify.
Talk to your physician about getting a flu shot. Pregnant moms and babies can get very sick from the flu. For info call the CDC at 800-232-4636.
Did you get information from your OB doctor on newborn screening tests? If not, ask for it. Your baby will have these tests done in the first 48 hours after birth.
Sign up for text4baby today if you are a new or expecting mom!
David Roos, M.D.
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