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
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
Administrator
801-373-8930
Shalise Law
Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
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.
As many as 50 million Americans have some kind of allergy and about 8% of children have a food allergy. An allergy is when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance. The immune system tries to "protect" the body by releasing chemicals to fight against the invading allergen. These chemicals are what cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction. These reactions can range from mildly annoying to life threatening. Some allergies are hereditary, but children can also have an allergy even if nobody in the family does.
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.
Usually insect bites or stings are mild and symptoms only last a few days. But if your child is allergic, they can be life threatening. Depending on your child's reaction you will need to take one of the following courses of action.
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.
During the summer, children are drawn to water like flies to honey. Playing in the water is a lot of fun and can be great exercise, but it can sometimes be dangerous. One thousand children drown each year, and for children between the ages of 1 and 14, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. Be sure your children stay safe this summer by keeping a close eye on them and teaching them how to be careful when they are in or around water. Here are some helpful tips.
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.
The playground can be a wonderful place for your children to get exercise and interact with other children. However, 200,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for playground injuries every year. This doesn't mean you should stop taking your children to the park, but it's a reminder that you should review your playground for any safety issues. Here's a quick checklist you can print off and take to the park with you next time.
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.
You don't see kids at gyms because they don't need them. Kids get their exercise from playing, and that active playtime is critical to their development. Active kids have less body fat, a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, strong muscles and bones, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and less sleep problems. They are also able to handle life better — both physically and emotionally.
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.
While there is no doubt that a DVD player can be a lifesaver on a road trip, hopefully that isn't all you have planned for your next long drive. Road trips are wonderful opportunities to have fun, learn, and bond as a family. Plus, on a long trip, you’ll want more than a DVD player to keep your kids entertained the entire time.
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.
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.