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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.
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| News from Your Pediatricians | |||||
| Summer 2010 Vol. 4 Issue 2 Pediatric News Does My Baby Need a Vitamin D Supplement? Seasonal and Age Specific What to Do For Insect Stings or Bites Protect Your Children from Skin Damage Exercise for Kids Is All Fun and Games
Contacts Kevin Moffitt Shalise Law Quick Links
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Pediatric News Does My Baby Need a Vitamin D Supplement? Article at a Glance • Study finds that formula-fed babies under six months old and all breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement. • Vitamin D helps strengthen bones, boosts the immune system, and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. If your baby is breastfed or under the age of six months, then the answer is probably yes. A recent study found that in the U.S. only 5 to 37 percent of children under the age of one get the recommended amount of vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants get 400 international units a day.
Seasonal and Age Specific The 411 On Allergies Article at a Glance • It can be difficult to diagnose allergies because symptoms often vary dramatically or are similar to other conditions. • Keeping a diary of symptoms and looking for patterns can help your pediatrician make a diagnosis. • Allergies are not curable, but you can help your child relieve symptoms and avoid the allergen.
What to Do For Insect Stings or Bites Article at a Glance • Most insect stings or bites are mild and are easily treated at home. • If your child has a severe reaction to a bite or sting, call 911 right away.
Hot Fun In The Summertime Article at a Glance • Being out in the heat too long can cause serious heat-related illnesses. • Watch children carefully to make sure they are not getting too hot and that they are getting plenty of liquid. • Teach your children how to recognize when they are overheated. We've been waiting for the sun to come out all winter, but it is important to remember that being out in the heat too long can cause serious heat-related illnesses. The best thing parents can do to protect their children is prevention, prevention, prevention.
Play it Safe in the Water Article at a Glance • Drowning is the second cause of accidental death for children between 1 and 14 years old. • Protect your children by watching them constantly whenever they are around any type of water. • Learning CPR will help you know what to do if there is an emergency.
Protect Your Children From Skin Damage Article at a Glance • Too much sun can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and cancer. • It is important to protect your children from the sun every day, not just during trips to the pool or beach. • Sunscreen, umbrellas, sunglasses, and proper clothing are good ways to protect your children. Sun in moderation is our primary source of vitamin D, but if we get too much sun, it can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and cancer. Since children are out in the sun a lot, it is important to keep them protected. Most children get between 50 and 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before they turn 18. Most of this exposure occurs during day-to-day activities, which means parents need to be careful every day, not just during trips to the lake or pool.
Playground Safety Checklist Article at a Glance • Take time to inspect your local park for any potential safety issues. • Things like improper surfacing, broken equipment, or design issues can contribute to serious injuries. • Make sure playground equipment is age appropriate for your child.
Playground Etiquette Article at a Glance • Using playground equipment improperly can lead to serious injuries. • Teaching children how to behave at the playground can help prevent injuries and teach important social skills. While the playground is not the dinner table, teaching your children how to mind their manners at the park can help prevent injuries and teach them how to interact with others. Before your next visit to the park, here are some suggested rules to go over with your children.
Exercise for Kids Is All Fun and Games Article at a Glance • Active kids are healthier and better adjusted. • Kids need to be involved in physical activities that include endurance, strength, and flexibility. • Eencourage physical activity by limiting TV time and being a good example. Ideally, kids should be involved in physical activities that encourage endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Sick of Being Car Sick? Article at a Glance • You can help prevent motion sickness by avoiding certain foods, using a cold compress, focusing on objects or landmarks outside the car, and taking frequent breaks. • Medication can be used for children who frequently get motion sickness. While not lethal, motion sickness can make it feel like you are dying. Motion sickness happens when your brain gets confused about whether you are moving or not. Your brain uses your eyes, inner ears, muscles, and joints to tell if your body is moving. They system works great unless your brain receives mixed signals. For example, when you are in the car your eyes may think you are not moving, but your inner ears sense motion. Luckily there are some tricks that can help take the queasiness out of your next car trip.
Road Trip! Article at a Glance • A good attitude and lots of activities can make your next car trip a wonderful experience for the whole family. • Games, journaling, singing, and audio books are great ways to keep your kids busy.
Fun, memorable road trips are made up of a little bit of preparation and a lot of optimism. Keeping a good attitude isn't always easy, but a bad mood can bring down the whole car. Let your kids know that they all have a responsibility to make the trip enjoyable. Designate a window seat off to the side where kids can sit if they need to burn off some steam. Stopping to get out of the car and stretch your legs can also be a big mood lifter. When preparing for a road trip, it is a good idea to have some activities and treats planned for the car. Here are a few time-tested ideas.
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| Administration | 1355 North University Avenue, Suite 220 | Provo, UT 84604 | (801) 373-8930 | |||||