WestSide Pediatrics Introduces our First Electronic Newsletter
Our E-newsletter will provide you with important news and up-to-date information. Look for it in your mailboxes soon.

Late Season H1N1 Recommendations

Although the H1N1 Flu season appears to be dying down, the season is not yet over. Even if flu activity dies down in January, as it has this year, it is still important to get vaccinated against the flu and be as prepared of the possibility of an activity increase again this season.

Call us to schedule an appointment.

The CDC has announced that the 2010-2011 fall seasonal influenza vaccine will contain influenza A, influenza B and H1N1.

Don't forget to schedule your child's camp and school physical now!

A $5.00 administrative fee will be charged to complete each school, camp or sports form.
Forms will be completed within 7-10 business days.

A $15.00 administrative fee will be charged for expedited forms.
Expedited forms will be completed within 1-2 business days.

Please provide us with a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailing.
Forms without a self-addressed stamped envelope may be picked up at the front desk.
Thank you for your cooperation

Vitamin D

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children and adolescents.

Vitamin D Update:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children and adolescents. Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D. The flesh of fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils are among the best sources. Small amounts of vitamin D are found in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. Vitamin D in these foods is primarily in the form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its metabolite 25(OH)D3.

The new recommendations include:

• Breastfed and partially breastfed infants should be supplemented with 400 IU a day of vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life.
• All non-breastfed infants, as well as older children, who are consuming less than one quart per day of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk, should receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU a day.
• Adolescents who do not obtain 400 IU of vitamin D per day through foods should receive a supplement containing that amount.
• Children with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as those with fat malabsorption diseases or are taking certain medications and may need higher doses of vitamin D.

Sources of Vitamin D

Fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D in the American diet.

For example, almost all of the U.S. milk supply is fortified with 100 IU/cup of vitamin D.

Food labels are not required to list vitamin D content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient.

Some examples:

• 8oz cup of calcium fortified OJ = 100 IU of Vit D
• 8oz cup of milk = 100 IU of Vit D
• 1 egg (with yolk) = 20 IU of Vit D
• 1 cup fortified cereal = 40 IU of Vit D

Food labels are not required to list vitamin D content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient.

Examples of Vit D content in Children's vitamins.
Read manufacturers' label for dose recommendations

Minor Head Injury in Children

Seasonal Safety Tips from the AAP

Summer Safety!

Sunburn is caused by an overexposure of the skin to UV radiation (usually from the sun). Repeated sunburns (and tanning) cause premature aging of the skin and may increase the risk of skin cancer.

Prevention of sunburns:

• Keep babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight
• Minimize exposure between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM (this is the period when the sun's rays are the strongest)

Use sunscreen:

• SPF 15 or higher is recommended; if you have a fair skinned child you should use SPF 30 or greater
• Apply more than 30 minutes prior to sun exposure
• Reapply every 3 hours (or after swimming even if waterproof)
• Use sunglasses with UV protection
• Remember that even on an overcast day, more than 70 % of the sun's rays penetrate the clouds
• ALWAYS set a good example for your children: use sunscreen on yourself and wear your sunglasses!

My child is younger than 6 months old; can I use sunscreen on my infant?

Yes. Your young infant has thin skin and will be more sensitive to the sun. Therefore it is extremely important to protect your infant from the sun including the use of sunscreen. For infants younger than 6 months, voiding sun exposure and the use of lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations to prevent sunburn. Sunscreen may be used sparingly on exposed areas of skin such as the hands, feet and face.

If you have a swimming pool:

• Have a shepherd's hook and a life preserver in the pool area.
• Fence in the pool area on all four sides and keep the gates/entries locked.
• Learn CPR because studies have shown that providing CPR immediately can save lives

REMEMBER: ALL ADULTS WHO ARE SUPERVISING CHILDREN SWIMMING OR PLAYING IN THE WATER SHOULD LEARN CPR

Information about Coxsackie Virus (Hand, foot and mouth disease)

Named after the town of Coxsackie, New York, where first discovered.

Definition:

• Small ulcers in the mouth
• A mildly/moderately painful mouth
• Small water blisters or red spots located on the palms and soles and on the webs between the fingers and toes
• Five or fewer blisters per limb
• Sometimes, small blisters or red spots on the buttocks
• Fever between 100o and 102oF (37.8o and 38.9oC), sometimes higher, or no fever in milder cases
• Mainly occurs in children 6 months to 5 years of age

Cause:

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease is always caused by a Coxsackie A-16 virus, part of the enterovirus family of viruses
• It has no relationship to hoof and mouth disease of cattle

Expected Course:

The fever and discomfort are usually gone by day 3 or 4. The mouth ulcers resolve in 7 days, but the rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days. The only complication seen with any frequency is dehydration from refusing fluids

HOME CARE:

• Diet - Change to a soft diet for a few days and encourage plenty of clear fluids. Cold drinks, popsicles, and sherbert are often well received. For a younger child, give fluids by cup rather than from a bottle. Avoid giving your child citrus, salty, or spicy foods. Also avoid foods that need much chewing.
• Pain / Fever - Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen may be given for a few days for severe mouth pain or a fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
• Contagiousness - Hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite contagious and usually some of your child's playmates will develop it at about the same time. The incubation period after contact is 3 to 6 days. Because the spread of infection is extremely difficult to prevent and the condition is harmless, these children do not need to be isolated. They can return to day care or school when the fever returns to normal range. Most children are contagious from 2 days before to 2 days after symptoms develop, limiting exposure to other children is recommended.

CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 6-8 hours
• Your child starts acting very sick

DURING REGULAR HOURS if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days
• The mouth pain becomes severe
• You have other concerns or questions

Information from the NY State Dept. of Health

Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum)

Definition:

• Bright red or rosy rash on both cheeks for 1 to 3 days ("slapped cheek" appearance)
• Rash on cheeks is followed by pink "lacelike" (or "netlike") rash on extremities
• Fifth disease images
• "Lacy" rash mainly on thighs and upper arms; comes and goes several times over 1 to 3 weeks
• No fever or low-grade fever (less than 101°F [38.4°C])

Similar Conditions:

Fifth disease was so named because it was the fifth pink-red infectious rash to be described by physicians. The other four are:

1. Scarlet fever
2. Measles
3. Rubella
4. Roseola

Cause:

• Fifth disease is caused by the human parvovirus B19.

Expected Course:

This is a very mild disease with either no symptoms or a slight runny nose and sore throat. The lacelike rash may come and go for up to 5 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure.

HOME CARE

No treatment is necessary. This distinctive rash is harmless and causes no symptoms that need treatment.

• Over 50% of exposed children will come down with the rash in 10 to 14 days.
• The disease is mainly contagious during the week before the rash begins.
• Exposed children should try to avoid contact with pregnant women, but that can be difficult.
• Once the child has "slapped cheeks" or the lacy rash, he is no longer considered contagious and does not need to stay home from school.
• Pregnant women exposed to Fifth Disease should call their obstetrician

CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY if:

• Your child has not urinated for more than 6-8 hours
• Your child starts acting very sick

DURING REGULAR HOURS if:

• The rash becomes itchy.
• Your child develops a fever over 102°F (38.9°C).
• You have other concerns or questions