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
Fall 2008
Vol. 2 Issue 2
Medicine Changes
and News
Pediatric News
Seasonal and Age Specific
Teens’ Health at Risk From Inactivity
Answers to Common Questions About Acne
Find Resources on Developmental Milestones on the Utah Valley Pediatrics Website
Tempter Tantrums: A Parent’s Survival Guide
What's New
at UVP
Dr. Phil Freestone Returns to His Practice After Serving a Mission in Mexico
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Allison Arnold
Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Medicine Changes and News
BPA Warning: Problem Plastics
A recent study by the National Toxicology Program (download PDF) has shown that a chemical called BPA (bisphenol A) that is used in many plastic products may interfere with normal neural and behavioral development in fetuses and infants. A spokesman for the FDA (read full article in Reuters) claims that exposure levels from products like baby bottles are not high enough to cause damage to infants but they are reviewing the National Toxicology Programs brief on BPA.
Pediatric News
A New Combination Vaccine
Pentacel is a new combination vaccine that combines DTaP, Hib, and IPV. Pentacel will reduce the number of needle sticks children will experience during their 2, 4, 6 and 15/18 month visits. This vaccine takes the same vaccines that normally would be given separately during these visits and combines them into one vaccine or shot. Pentacel has been used in Canada and Europe for years. After extensive clinical trials, which some of you may have participated in our offices, the FDA approved Pentacel for general use. Some parents are concerned that this many vaccines at once can cause problems. There is no evidence to support that concern. In fact, Pentacel will make it less traumatic for your child by reducing injections by two.
Seasonal and Age Specific
Having a Healthy Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there are many things you can do to ensure the health of your baby and your own comfort and well-being. Ideally you should seek advice from your doctor or obstetrician before you become pregnant. They can perform examinations and tests to make sure you can achieve a healthy pregnancy and address any questions or fears you have about becoming pregnant. They will also talk to you about taking a prenatal vitamin that contains iron, calcium and folic acid. These should be taken even before you are pregnant to prevent birth defects of the baby's spine and nervous system.
If you are already pregnant and have not seen your doctor yet, don't worry; you can still have a healthy pregnancy.
Teens’ Health at Risk From Inactivity
A new study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that the majority of teens do not get enough physical activity. Inactivity increases a teen's risk for heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The study followed about 1,000 children of various ages from 2000 to 2006.
Starting at age nine, the children's activity levels were tracked using a small wearable device to record their movement. Ninety percent of the nine year olds got exercise a couple of hours each day (the government recommends an hour each day). Up through age 12 a majority of children were active at least an hour a day, but by age 15 less than one-third of the children met the recommended activity level.
James Griffin, science officer for the study, said that as children mature, "You would expect somewhat of a decline, but nothing of this magnitude." He also said it is important for parents to teach their children to enjoy physical activities like walking the dog or playing sports and limit the time they spend in front of the TV or computer.
Answers to Common Questions About Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the United States. It affects 8 out of 10 adolescents and about 17 million people in the United States have it.
Acne is a skin disorder that occurs when hair follicles become clogged. Hair follicles contain sebaceous glands that make sebum, an oil that protects the skin from bacterial infection and reduces water loss. The oil reaches the skin's surface through the opening of the follicle called the pore. However, sometimes the hair, sebum, and skin cells can produce a plug that blocks the pore. The trapped oil and cells allow bacteria to grow in the follicle, which causes inflammation.
Find Resources on Developmental Milestones on the Utah Valley Pediatrics Website
Visit our website to find a variety of resources to help you know what to expect as your child develops. These resources will give you a general idea of how your child should be developing, but it is important to remember that every child is different and you should not be worried if your child is developing at a different pace in some areas.
However if you notice major differences between your child's development and what is suggested or if your child is behind on several of the milestones, talk to your pediatrician. Your pediatrician can also address any questions or concerns you might have.
Tempter Tantrums: A Parent's Survival Guide
Temper tantrums can leave you feeling frustrated, embarrassed, and helpless. Sometimes it is helpful to step back and remember that tantrums are a normal part of growing up as children start to assert their independence and learn how to express emotions. Once you understand the reasons behind the tantrums, there are things you can do to avoid tantrums and help your child through this stage.
Developmental Stages
First, it is important to understand the stage your child is in and how that affects their behavior. Tantrums are common in children ages one to four and vary depending on the age and temperament of the child.
What's New at UVP
Dr. Phil Freestone Returns to His Practice After Serving a Mission in Mexico
Dr. Phil Freestone and his wife have returned from a three-year church mission in Puebla, Mexico. Dr. Freestone started seeing patients on July 7th after reopening his practice in our Orem Cherry Tree Office. He is excited to be back in Orem and plans to continue practicing medicine in the area well into the future.
Having served in Mexico, Dr. Freestone has learned to speak Spanish. He specializes in the care of infants, children and adolescents. You can call (801) 224-4550 to schedule appointments with Dr. Freestone.
Add Us to Your Safe List
Commonly used email filters may accidentally filter Utah Valley Pediatric e-mails from your inbox. To prevent this from happening, please add emails ending with @uvpediatrics.com to your address book to continue receiving this newsletter as well as other helpful customer service communications from Utah Valley Pediatrics. Thank you.
Privacy
Utah Valley Pediatrics respects your privacy and will never sell your email address to a third party. Read our Privacy Policy.