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Welcome to the May installment of Parkside News! The goal of this e-newsletter is two-fold: to keep you informed on the latest happenings at Parkside Pediatrics, and to help answer your medical questions by providing you with an in depth discussion of many pediatric problems and topics.
If you find a particular story interesting or informative, feel free to forward the message onto a friend who might be interested in learning more by using the link at the bottom of the newsletter. If for any reason you decide that Parkside News is not for you, unsubscribing is not only safe but also very easy. Just click on the "SafeUnsubscribe" button at the bottom of the newsletter. It's that easy! We thank you for the opportunity to serve as your pediatricians and look forward to seeing you soon. Hope you enjoy!
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Sunscreen Q & A
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Q: What is SPF and how do I decide what rating is adequate?
A: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on unprotected skin. For example, a fair-skinned person who would normally turn red after 10 minutes in the sun has 10 minutes as their "initial burning time." If that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 2, it takes 20 minutes in the sun for that person's skin to turn red. Now, if that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 30, it multiplies the initial burning time by 30, so it takes 300 minutes for that person's skin to burn. A minimum SPF of 15 is recommended in all children.
Q: Can sunscreen be fun for my kids?
A: Fun-colored sunblock designed especially for kids is now readily available. Children enjoy them because they get painted in a neon color, and parents like them because you can actually see the parts of skin that have been missed.
Q: Can I use sunscreen in children under 6 months of age?
A: In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised against the use of sunblock in infants less than six months of age. Their current recommendations are: "For babies under six months of age, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body such as the face and the back of the hands if adequate clothing and shade are not available. For older children, test the sunscreen on the baby's back for a reaction before applying it all over. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If your baby rubs sunscreen into her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen burns her eyes, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk to your pediatrician."
Q: What are the concerns with using sunblock in children under 6 months?
A: Infants have a high body surface to volume ratio. What this means is that babies have more skin for their size body as compared to an adult. On the older child and adult, the exposure to the chemicals in the sunblock is relatively minimal because the body surface ratio is much smaller than a baby. However, babies get a higher "dose" of sunscreen compared to adults due to their high body surface ratio. While this exposure would most likely not cause any problems, the likelihood of an adverse reaction is greater. Using a minimal amount of suncreen only on the sun- exposed areas, such as the face and the back of the hands, is one way to help avoid potential reactions.
Q: What other ways can I help to prevent sunburn in my infant?
A: Keep babies under six months of age out of the direct sun using a canopy for cover as much as possible. In addition, a wide brimmed hat and light colored/long clothing will help avoid the sun's rays. Spend time in shaded areas during peak sun hours (10am to 4pm) and save the water time for later in the evening. Avoid dehydration, by feeding your baby frequently, with breast milk or formula. The water content in either of these will help keep your baby well hydrated.
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Summer Travel With Baby
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Suggested Packing List ---The Essentials:
- Diapers, bottles, formula, breast pump (if you're nursing).
- Pajamas, changes of clothes, shoes and socks, and blankets for the length of your trip.
- Extra clothes in case of a change in weather or if your flight coming home is delayed.
- Car seat, stroller, and travel crib. Also, consider bringing a backpack carrier for your baby so your hands are free.
- A copy of your child's most recent medical records and your pediatrician's and pharmacist's phone numbers, in case of an emergency.
- Necessities such as diaper wipes, petroleum jelly, and sunblock, if you are going to a sunny location.
- An easy-to-carry first-aid kit.
- Your child's favorite toys and books to read to your child.
- Prescription medicine for your child in its original bottles.
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Coming Soon: Parkside Pediatrics Web Portal
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Parkside Pediatrics is taking customer service to the next level. Introducing the Parkside Pediatrics Web Portal. We will be using the Internet to help break down communication barriers that often put medical offices and their patients at odds.
The Web Portal includes:
- Secure Communication using a unique Username and Password
- Secure Email Communication with the office for non urgent medical questions
- Online Prescription Refills
- Online Appointment Requests
- Online viewing of Billing Statements
- Updating/Changing Contact and Demographic Information
Be on the look out for more information about the web portal!
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Pediatric Obesity --- A Growing Problem (3rd in a 3 Part Series)
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In the first part of this series we examined the childhood obesity prevalence, and learned the definitions of BMI, overweight, and obesity. The second part of our discussion focused on the many different causes of obesity (to view past issues, visit www.parksidepediatrics.com). In this final part of the series we will delve into the various treatment options for obesity.
It may seem simple, but becoming overweight or obese is the result of taking in more calories than you burn off. For example, if you consume 4,500 calories/day and only burn off 2,000 calories/day, then you have a daily net surplus of 2,500 calories. All those extra calories quickly add to your scale's bottom line. At each visit to Parkside Pediatrics, your child is plotted on his/her growth chart in order to look for a trend toward obesity, and to catch the problem before it gets out of hand.
There are two basic ways for one to lose weight:
- Increase Activity Level
- Modify Eating Habits
Obviously these strategies work best when done in tandem.
The American Medical Academy recommends limitation of TV to 1-2 hours/day and the Surgeon General recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise/day. Children need direction in almost every area of their lives--the need to exercise is certainly no exception. Often times the responsibility for carrying out these recommendations falls into the parent's lap. Do your kids a favor by turning off the TV, lock up the PlayStation, and encourage them to run and play. Another strategy is to incorporate activity into your daily routines: take a walk after dinner as a family, park at the back of the parking lot when grocery shopping, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Making a change in this area definitely goes against the American culture of convenience but the big time benefits are worth the inconvenience!
Changing eating habits will likely need to be a family- wide change and not just a change for the child who is becoming overweight. It is way too difficult to convince your overweight child to eat a turkey sandwich and apple slices while the rest of the family is chowing down on McDonald's burgers and fries. Making a change to cook at home rather than eat out is one way that you as a parent can control what your children eat. The Internet can be a wonderful resource for healthy menus and recipes. Another helpful tactic is to buy only healthy foods. If your child doesn't have sodas, chips, and cookies available in the pantry, then snacking on those items is not an option. Also, encourage your family to eat more slowly. When we eat too quickly, our stomachs fill up before our brains realize we are actually full. Controlling the portion size and limiting the number of second helpings of a meal will also help establish a normal, healthy meal time routine.
When discussing weight issues with children it is of utmost importance to stress the importance of their health, rather than correcting the physical appearance of obesity. Obesity has serious complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Not only do these items need to be emphasized, but an honest discussion between the physician, parents, and child needs to take place so that they understand that their worth is not tied to physical appearance, but rather who they are as a person. All too often children and adolescents' self esteem is tied to their appearance. As parents and physicians we need to avoid sending confusing messages about why we are concerned about their weight. Simply said, "Obesity is a concern because of your health, not because of what you look like!"
The best results for slimming down are achieved when the entire family is involved in making a change. A consult with a certified nutritionist can be a tremendous help as well. There certainly are intensive treatments for obesity, but many of these diets and medications are considered investigational. For patients who are morbidly obese and are suffering from complications such as diabetes, hypertension, or joint problems, surgery may be recommended as a last resort. Bariatric surgery is a procedure in which the size of the stomach is decreased. This operation is full of potential side effects and does not eliminate the need for lifestyle modifications after the surgery. So don't let things get "morbid," make the lifestyle changes that will make a difference for yourself and your kids.
Learn more about childhood obesity
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