Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what’s new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
November 2007
Vol. 1 Issue 1
Medicine Changes
and News
Cough and Cold Medication Targeted to Children Under Two Years of Age Pulled From Shelves
Pacifiers Help Reduce Risk of SIDS
Pediatric News
Seasonal and Age Specific
The Importance of Hand Washing
What's New
at UVP
Utah Valley Pediatrics Builds Upon Commitment to Quality Care Through Involvement With UPIQ
Utah Valley Pediatrics Opens an Office in Payson
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Allison Arnold
Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Medicine Changes and News
Cough and Cold Medication Targeted to Children Under Two Years of Age Pulled From Shelves
As Utah Valley Pediatrics warned back in January 2007, children under the age of two should not be given cough and cold medicines. In response to pressure from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), manufacturers of cold and cough medicines targeted to children six months to two years of age have voluntarily pulled their products off store shelves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a warning that infants and children under two years old should not take decongestants, and children younger than six years old should not take antihistamines unless directed by a pediatrician, citing, citing a risk of toxicity. If these products make a come back or if you have some in your medicine cabinet, these medications should not be given to children less than two years of age.
Pacifiers Help Reduce Risk of SIDS
In addition to the recommendation that infants should always be put to sleep on their backs, researchers have recently identified additional things you can do to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) — the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age. One of these new recommendations is that parents put their babies down for naps and bedtime with a pacifier.
Six recent studies have shown that putting a baby down to sleep with a pacifier is associated with reduced risk of SIDS. The reason for this protective effect is unknown, although there are several theories. One theory is that sucking on a pacifier causes the tongue to come forward causing the airway to be more open. Another theory is that sucking on a pacifier interferes with an infant sleeping too soundly.
Pediatric News
Immunizations have saved millions of lives and prevented hundreds of millions of cases of disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to protect our children and the community from disease is by choosing to immunize.
Immunizations are a safe and effective way to prevent illness by strengthening the immune system. They help the body recognize and attack viruses and bacteria that cause disease. While some of the diseases we vaccinate against are now rare in the United States, others are still fairly common. In addition, diseases that are rare here may still be common problems in other countries.
In the last year, three new vaccinations were introduced to protect children from disease. These include the Gardasil vaccine (Human Papillomavirus vaccine), the RotaTeq vaccine (prevents severe rotavirus), and the Menactra vaccine (protects against bacterial meningitis).
Seasonal and Age Specific
The Importance of Hand Washing
A little soap, water and 15 seconds can make a huge difference in your and your child’s health. By teaching your children to wash their hands, you will be protecting them from the common cold, meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, most types of infectious diarrhea and other serious illnesses. It can also prevent food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli.
The best way to teach your children to wash their hands is by example. Wash your hands with your children and observe their hand washing.
Respiratory Syncycial Virus (RSV)
Along with icicles and muddy boots, the winter months also bring sniffles, sneezes and coughs. A major cause of these cold-like symptoms in young children is the Respiratory Syncycial Virus (RSV). Although this virus is usually minor, it’s important for parents to be aware of the warning signs of a more serious infection.
RSV is a very common viral disease of the lungs. Most children are infected by the age of two and may continue to be re-infected throughout their lives. RSV is transmitted through the mucus or saliva of the person who is infected, for example by sneezing, coughing or hand-to-mouth contact.
Flu season is officially here, typically lasting from October to May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that those who are at serious risk for flu complications (and those who live with or care for people in high risk) should be vaccinated each year. Those at high risk include children ages six months to five years old, as well as pregnant women. Anyone who wants to reduce the potential of getting the flu can also be vaccinated. The best time to get vaccinated is in October and November, but you can still get vaccinated in the later winter months.
What's New at Utah Valley Pediatrics
Utah Valley Pediatrics Builds Upon Commitment to Quality Care Through Involvement With UPIQ
One way Utah Valley Pediatrics continues to provide personalized, quality care is through involvement with the Utah Pediatric Partnership to Improve Healthcare Quality (UPIQ). UPIQ is a joint effort by organizations and individuals interested in improving all aspects of patient care.
Many of our pediatricians attend frequent learning collaboratives hosted by UPIQ that have covered topics as varied as fluoride use, developmental screening and emotional screening for postpartum depression. These collaboratives not only cover the latest research on best practices, but also practical advice on how to implement these practices.
UVP is also involved with UPIQ’s Medical Home project. The project is not a building or location, but an approach to comprehensive primary care. This approach collaborates with the family and the patient to make sure all the medical and non-medical needs of a patient are met. The project focuses primarily on children with special needs.
Utah Valley Pediatrics Opens an Office in Payson
In January, Utah Valley Pediatrics opened an office in Payson to better serve the needs of the southern part of Utah County. After an exhaustive search to find the right pediatrician, Dr. Garron Miller was chosen and he opened his practice next to the Mountain View Hospital.
Dr. Miller specializes in the care of infants, children and adolescents. He has a special interest in asthma, ADHD and treating children with special needs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved with Utah Valley Pediatrics,” said Dr. Miller. “They are a great group to work with. I have enjoyed being located on the south end of the valley and love serving the families and patients in this area. I look forward to a long future here with Utah Valley Pediatrics and to serving my patients needs.”
The Payson office was so successful that Dr. Jonathan Peterson was chosen to join Dr. Miller, and he opened his practice in July.
Dr. Peterson recently completed his pediatric residency at the University of Nebraska/Creighton University in Omaha and specializes in all aspects of general pediatrics, including newborn and preventative care, asthma, obesity and infectious disease.
“What a great place to live and work,” said Dr. Peterson. “I could not be happier with the reception my family and I have received from everyone in the Payson area, including very friendly neighbors, great staff at the hospitals and a very active community. I enjoy living and working in an environment where parents put the needs of their children at the top of their list.”
The Payson Office is located at 50 Medical Drive, Suite 2 in Payson and can be reached at (801) 465-2800. For additional directions, hours and information, please visit our Web site.
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