ChildrensOmaha.org
Summer 2015
JustKids Keep Kids Healthy with Vaccines p6
SERVICE EXPANSION
GET MOVING
breatH of fresh air
Weight Management Clinic in Lincoln 2
Older Kids Need More Exercise 4
Find Relief for Allergies 8
Contents ➍ 3 in 4 Teens and Tweens
Don’t Get Enough Exercise
➎ Monster Mash Walk/Run ➏ Keep Kids Healthy
Childhood Weight Management Clinic Expands to Lincoln
with Vaccines
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Children’s Allergy & Immunology Clinic: A Breath of Fresh Air for Kids
➓ How to Avoid ‘Mom
To help even more area children maintain a healthy lifestyle, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s HEROES (Healthy Eating with Resources, Options and Everyday Strategies) weight management program has expanded to Lincoln. Combining medical management, nutrition, exercise, behavior modification and therapy, HEROES is the only multi-disciplinary obesity treatment program in the region designed specifically for pediatric patients. Obesity is a national epidemic that increasingly impacts children and teens. Approximately 13.5 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 and 31.5 percent of children ages 10 to 17 in Nebraska are overweight or obese. Karla Lester, M.D., serves as the pediatrician for the Lincoln HEROES program. She is joined by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists including a dietitian, exercise consultant, nurses, psychologist and social worker. Together, they are dedicated to helping children succeed and develop skills needed to manage weight. Dr. Lester says she is proud to work for a program that empowers children to live a healthier lifestyle.
Always Liked You Best’
➓ Parenting U Pacifiers Are Beneficial for Babies Sports Medicine Clinic Tackles Concussion Treatment
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JustKids
“I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of young patients suffering from obesity,” Dr. Lester says. “Children’s program is comprehensive and truly one of a kind, so I’m pleased to be a part of expanding this medical service to the children and families of Lincoln.” Obesity is a chronic disease, and Children’s HEROES program provides long-term solutions. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan that includes clinic visits to monitor progress, weekly nutrition and behavioral modification classes, fitness classes and support groups. Parents who are concerned about their child’s weight and health should first visit with their child’s primary care provider, who can refer the child to the HEROES program if appropriate.
Dr. Karla Lester, Children’s Specialty Physicians
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Gary A. Perkins President & CEO Martin W. Beerman Vice President, Marketing & Community Relations David G.J. Kaufman, MD Medical Advisor Dannee Schroeder Senior Editor
JustKids is published by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. © 2015. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
What’sNew? Children Need Their Zzz’s! If you suspect your child is having trouble sleeping, call Children’s Sleep Center at 1.800.833.3100.
Well-Rested and Rewarded: Sleep Center Earns Accreditation Sleep is essential to a child’s growth and development. It’s so important that not getting enough of it can affect mood, academic performance and general health. When counting sheep is not enough to help a child get good, sound sleep, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s Sleep Center offers specialized care to treat a wide variety of pediatric sleeping problems. Now the only pediatric program accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in the region, the Sleep Center at Children’s displays and maintains proficiency in testing, procedures and policies, patient safety and follow-up care, as well as physician and staff training. Children’s Sleep Center is the gold standard for ensuring that a sleeping condition doesn’t become a waking nightmare.
To help children get the sleep they need, Sleep Center Medical Director Casey Burg, M.D., and his staff treat a variety of conditions, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, snoring and restless leg syndrome. Children are often referred to the Sleep Center by their pediatrician or other pediatric specialists. In many cases, sleep problems can be effectively managed and treated in the clinic through one or a combination of therapies, including lifestyle and behavioral changes, medication management, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or surgical recommendations. Children’s newly-accredited Sleep Center continues to provide excellent care and works to increase awareness of sleep as an important
factor for health and quality of life for children in the region. “Sleep is such an important part of children’s health,” says Dr. Burg. “It deserves the attention of a qualified and certified sleep center like ours.”
Dr. Casey Burg, Children’s Specialty Physicians
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teen health
3 in 4 Teens and Tweens
Don’t Get Enough Exercise During tween and teen years, kids who once ran around the playground for fun might now have lost interest in physical activity. Between studying, spending time with friends and family and then starting first jobs, adolescents have little time in their schedules to lace up their sneakers for a visit to the gym. However, it’s during these formative years that tweens and teens are starting habits that will affect their health for the rest of their lives, but a new survey found that only one in four meet daily fitness recommendations. Conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the survey found less than 25 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds exercise at least an hour every day. This is despite the fact that government guidelines say youth should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily.
Most Teens Are Somewhat Active While only a quarter of tweens and teens are getting an hour of exercise per day, the CDC found that it was rare for teens to be completely inactive. The key is to get them active early and continue to encourage the behavior. Kids who started out enjoying sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives long-term. During their teen years, they may just need a little encouragement. Considering that teenagers spend more than seven hours per day plugged in to TVs, cell
Given the opportunity and interest, tweens and teens find health benefits from a myriad of activities, including skateboarding, yoga, swimming, dancing or participation in afterschool sports.
phones, computers and video games, the lag in physical activity may easily be fixed through a readjustment of priorities. Given the opportunity and interest, tweens and teens find health benefits from a myriad of activities, including skateboarding, yoga, swimming, dancing or participation in afterschool sports. Whether your teen isn’t aware of the full benefits of exercise or is struggling to find a way to get started with a fitness regimen, parents can help their somewhat-active teens learn to sweat for 60 minutes each day. “I think it’s true that physically active families tend to be healthier – physically, mentally and socially – than sedentary families. I encourage my patients to choose fun, not necessarily competitive activities,” says Patrick Specht, M.D., Children’s Physicians.
Exercise Offers Kids Many Benefits Physical activity improves children’s mental and physical well-being. Exercise builds strong bones and lowers the risk for obesity,
diabetes and heart disease. Self-esteem and concentration may also improve with regular activity. To make the most of these remaining warm summer days, encourage your family to go outside and move. How about a game of one-on-one basketball? Or a walk around the park? Parents can help their teen work up to 60 minutes of exercise a day by following these tips: • Be an active role model. Show your personal commitment to fitness, and don’t be a “do as I say, not as I do” parent. • To respect their drive for independence, give teens control over how they decide to be active and just emphasize the importance of regular physical activity. • Provide equipment, transportation or companionship to support your kids’ fitness choices and goals. • Make workouts enjoyable. Help your teens find an activity they find fun and will look forward to doing again and again.
Dr. Patrick Specht Children’s Physicians To schedule an appointment with Dr. Specht or any of our board-certified Children’s Physicians providers, call 1.800.336.0304.
Learn More Online with Healthy Kohl’s Kids The Healthy Kohl’s Kids program can help you find fitness activities for your children at www.HealthyKohlsKids.com. The website features up-to-date fitness and nutrition info, and advice for children and parents. Healthy Kohl’s Kids invites parents to engage via social media on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter (@HealthyKohlsKid).
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Scare Away Childhood Obesity at Monster Mash Walk/Run To get your tween or teen up and moving, encourage them to participate in the Monster Mash Walk/Run on Sunday, Oct. 11 at Rockbrook Village. Presented by Suburban Rotary and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, all proceeds from the 1 Mile Walk, Kids Dash and 5K Run benefit Children’s childhood obesity prevention programs. All ages are welcome. Bring the family and wear your Halloween costumes. For more information, visit MonsterMashOmaha.com.
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prevention
Keep Kids Healthy with Vaccines Watching your child get a shot isn’t easy. It’s even harder if you have fears or concerns about the safety or necessity of the vaccine. As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. Vaccines are a safe way to help your little one grow up healthy and happy. Immunizations protect infants and children early in life before they’re exposed to diseases that can be serious or even deadly. “I encourage parents to have a dialogue with their child’s pediatrician about vaccines. Parents and physicians are both working toward the same goal—to keep children healthy,” says Rachel McCann, M.D., Children’s Physicians. “If parents have concerns about potential side effects, pediatricians can provide them with accurate information regarding these issues.” Vaccines contain a dead or weakened form of the disease-causing virus or bacteria. These enable the body to produce antibodies that protect the child from the disease. Each vaccine has undergone long and careful review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety before they were approved for use. You will receive more information on each vaccine from your child’s pediatrician, including the benefits of each immunization. Vaccines also protect others you care about, like your neighbors and friends. Maybe you know someone with a weak immune system because of cancer treatments. Or, maybe your sister just had
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a baby who’s too young to be fully vaccinated. Getting your child vaccinated reduces the chance that these people will be exposed to diseases.
Why Vaccines? Recommended for young children, vaccines help protect kids against serious infections before their immune systems are fully mature. These serious illnesses can be caused by viruses or bacteria, which can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, meningitis, respiratory illnesses and severe rashes. Illnesses immunizations protect children from include: • Pneumococcal diseases • Chickenpox • Measles, mumps, rubella • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis • Polio • Hepatitis A and hepatitis B • Rotavirus While the risk for serious complications from vaccines is so small it’s too difficult to even document, some children have minor side effects like a slight fever or swelling at the injection site. Claims that vaccines cause autism or other diseases have been carefully researched and disproved. The disease-prevention benefits of getting immunizations are much greater than possible minor side effects.
How Can Vaccines Help? Certain diseases, such as measles and mumps, may seem like enemies of the past. That’s because vaccines have eliminated some diseases in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean they no longer exist in other countries. Continuing to vaccinate children is the only way to help keep these illnesses away. You may have heard about whooping cough in the news. In 2012, there were more than 41,000 cases of whooping cough in the U.S., and 18 people died. Most were children younger than 3 months of age. This is likely due to a drop in vaccination rates in certain areas. If you’re pregnant, be sure to get your Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of pregnancy. It will help protect your newborn against whooping cough until it’s time for your infant to start receiving vaccines. With school starting again, it’s important for parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on vaccines as classes start. Immunizations will keep your child safe from contracting or spreading illnesses throughout the school year.
Dr. Rachel McCann Children’s Physicians
FIND THE RIGHT Provider Selecting a provider who’s a good fit for your family is important. You—and your child—should feel comfortable with the provider. To find the right one for you and your family, call the Children’s Physicians Find-A-Provider service at 1.800.336.0304.
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asthma and allergies
Children’s Allergy & Immunology Clinic: A Breath of Fresh Air for Kids
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To find a provider, call 1.800.833.3100
Have a clinic Question? Learn more about our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Clinic, including how to schedule an appointment, by calling us at 1.800.833.3100.
Hana Niebur, M.D., a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Children’s, knows one of her busiest seasons is about to blossom: fall allergy season. “Ragweed is one of the most prolific and potent allergy producers in the Midwest. The season in Nebraska is quite difficult to manage,” she says. “Kids with a ragweed allergy are likely to experience some increase in symptoms in the fall, which might require some adjustments in their medications.” Whether they suffer from seasonal allergies, or food, medicine or insect allergies, Dr. Niebur says young patients will receive expert, compassionate care at the Pediatric Allergy & Immunology Clinic at Children’s. “I think the best thing is the time and the resources we have to spend on patients, particularly our new patients. It’s important that we sit down with parents and really explain what’s going on and what the treatment options are so we can figure out the best route for their child together.”
Allergy sufferers may become used to chronic symptoms, but with the help of an allergy specialist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled. Medications are available. Collaborative Care Environment “The patient population that’s drawn here is exciting to work with, and at Children’s, we have a lot of different specialists in one place, and we can provide care as a group,” Dr. Niebur says. She says she loves knowing that she can collaborate with those colleagues to ensure the best possible outcome for her patients. Dr. Niebur also understands it takes a special touch to treat children with allergies. “Children may not be as understanding as adults about why they have restrictions,” she shares. “I think it’s important that kids are able to play outside, to have fun and to be children. My approach is to make treatment work for what a child can tolerate on a daily basis. My goal is to make them feel like they can have a normal life.”
lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat and/or lungs – places where immune system cells are located to fight off inhaled, swallowed or contacted “invaders.” Although hundreds of ordinary substances could trigger allergic reactions, the most common allergens include: tree, grass and weed pollens, latex, molds, dust mites, foods, medicines and insect stings. Confirming a diagnosis typically involves skin testing, blood testing or challenge testing, which involves taking a very small amount of allergen by mouth, inhalation or a combination of both methods. “Skin testing is still the most accurate form of testing for environmental allergens. For food allergies, it can be a bit trickier, but it usually requires a combination of skin testing and blood testing,” Dr. Niebur says. Allergic reactions typically may result in: • Seasonal or allergic rhinitis (nasal stuffiness, sneezing, nasal itching, nasal discharge, itching in ears or roof of mouth) • Red, itchy, watery eyes • Red, itchy, dry skin • Hives or itchy welts • Itchy rash • Asthma (airway problems, such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing) Allergy sufferers may become used to chronic symptoms, but with the help of an allergy specialist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled. Medications are available. In some cases, allergy shots are needed to desensitize the immune system to the allergy. Treatments vary based on a child’s age, overall health and other factors. “If parents think their child needs to be evaluated by a specialist, the first person they should talk to is their pediatrician,” Dr. Niebur recommends. “Keeping their pediatrician involved throughout their care is really important so they have someone to help them navigate the system.”
Dr. Hana Niebur, Children’s Specialty Physicians
Understanding Allergies Allergies can affect anyone, but are generally more common in kids and tend to run in families. An allergic reaction may occur in the skin, eyes,
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Parenting U Schedule Parenting U from Children’s Hospital & Medical Center offers free classes for parents. Space for each class is limited, so call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org/ParentingU today to register for one or more of our upcoming educational sessions.
How to Avoid
‘Mom Always Liked You Best’
Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. Preparing for Your Newborn Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. Mastering Potty Training Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Baby’s First Years Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. Surviving the Trying Twos Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. Healthy Sleep Habits for Toddlers Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium Sunday, Oct. 18 Baby Love Essentials Baby Fair • at 10:30 a.m. Preparing for Your Newborn • at 11:30 a.m. Preparing for Your Newborn • at 12:30 p.m. Avoiding Sibling Rivalries • at 1:30 p.m. Healthy Nutrition for Toddlers Ramada Plaza Convention Center Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Effective Time Out Techniques Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium
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To find a provider, call 1.800.833.3100
Parents have a favorite TV show and a favorite food, but moms and dads love all their kids equally. However, a parent’s actions toward their children may unknowingly fuel feelings of favoritism, no matter how unintentional these actions. As children develop their own sense of self, they are keenly aware of their parents’ actions and attitudes. Showing favoritism to one child at any given time can make siblings feel resentment toward both parents and the favored sister or brother. This can lead to the slighted child acting out in anger or developing low self-esteem.
To avoid illusions of favoritism within your family, follow these tips: • Take time for each child — Make a special effort to spend some time alone with each of your children. Set aside an hour to bake cookies or play pickup basketball, depending on the child’s interests. • Don’t compare siblings — Every human is unique, so never compare a child with his or her siblings. Quick words can sting for a lifetime. • Cheer loud for all to hear — Cheer on all your children, supporting each of their individual activities. Supporting everyone’s interests and ensuring their personal needs are met will help all children feel important and loved.
time to make an appointment? To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vasudevan, or any of our board-certified Children’s Physicians providers, call 1.800.336.0304.
Pacifiers
Are Beneficial for Babies Pacifiers can be a helpful tool to assist parents in calming a newborn or young infant. Pacifiers help provide comfort to infants by allowing them to engage in the sucking reflex, even if they are not hungry. Pacifiers offer other benefits as well. Pacifier benefits include: • Pacifiers help sooth a crying infant. • Sucking on a pacifier can help reduce an infant’s pain. In fact, pacifiers are often used as comfort during painful procedures. • Studies show that pacifiers can shorten hospital stays for premature babies and help tube-fed babies learn to use a bottle.
• Pacifiers decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). • Pacifiers can ease discomfort for a baby during flights by relieving ear pressure. “Pacifiers encourage babies to self sooth. It helps babies to relax and makes them feel more secure,” says Jayan Vasudevan, M.D., Children’s Physicians. “Pacifiers also satisfy the sucking reflex, which is the natural need to suck even after breast or bottle fed.”
one-piece unit. The shield should contain at least two holes for ventilation. It’s also important that the pacifier pass the Consumer Product Safety Commission pull-apart test. This ensures that the unit will not come apart and create a choking hazard for the infant. Follow these tips for pacifier use: • Avoid pacifiers with built-in gadgets, moving parts or liquid interiors. • Never hang the pacifier on a string around the baby’s neck. • Do not dip the pacifier in sugar, honey, corn syrup or other sugary materials. • Clean the pacifier regularly. Boiling is recommended for pacifiers if the child is younger than 6 months. An automatic dishwasher is not adequate for all ages. • Replace the pacifier if damaged, the plastic begins to crack or the surface breaks down into small pieces. • Do not share pacifiers with other children in your household. • Never moisten or clean a pacifier by putting it in your mouth. • Talk with your pediatrician at your child’s 9-month checkup about how and when to wean your baby from using a pacifier. As you limit pacifier use, make sure everyone in the household is on the same page to avoid confusion and ease the transition.
Dr. Jayan Vasudevan Children’s Physicians
Selecting the Right Pacifier When selecting a pacifier, parents should look for a few things. The pacifier should be a
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Sports Medicine Clinic Tackles Concussion Treatment As the dog days of summer give way to evenings spent under Friday night lights, kids head back to school and to their favorite fall sports. Even with proper padding and safety gear, as many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur across the U.S. each year. To help young athletes get back in the lineup and, more importantly, back into the classroom safely, Children’s Sports Medicine Clinic specializes in diagnosing and managing post-concussion recovery for children and teens. The Sports Medicine Clinic is led by Kody Moffatt, M.D., a pediatric sports medicine specialist with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Dr. Moffatt’s winning game plan to help injured athletes transition back into the classroom after a concussion follows a process referred to as “return to learn.” “We know that a concussion has the potential to impact a student athlete’s
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ability to think and process information,” Dr. Moffatt says. “We want to share this knowledge with families, teachers and school systems. Helping these kids regain success in the classroom takes a team effort.” If your child has a concussion, closely monitor the recovery process. Report any worsening symptoms—including headaches, vomiting or abnormal movement—to a doctor. Also watch for behavior changes, such as grogginess or confusion. And above all, tell your child to speak up if any head injury—no matter how minor—occurs. Prompt evaluation and treatment can prevent lasting harm. In addition to treating concussions, Children’s Sports Medicine Clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for sprains, strains, sports-related infections and more. With X-ray capabilities, surgical consultation and heart evaluations on site, the clinic scores big by helping children quickly return to the sports they love.
Kody Moffatt, M.D., Children’s Specialty Physicians
To learn more about our Sports Medicine Clinic at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, visit ChildrensOmaha.org/SportsMedicine. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Moffatt, call 402.955.PLAY (7529).