Kidbits! | Fall 2005

Inside This Issue ...

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Page Sharing a bed with baby

Fast-food strategies

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Prescription drugs and teens

Developmental checkup

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Hospital Welcomes New Pediatric Neurologist Huntsville Hospital has a new specialist. Joseph P. McCarty, M.D., a pediatric neurologist, has recently established a neurology practice at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Dr. McCarty is board certified in neurology with special certification in child neurology, pediatrics and sleep medicine.

In addition to general neurological problems such as epilepsy and chronic headaches, he has expertise in treating children with cerebral palsy. Dr. McCarty’s practice will be able to provide both routine and long-term ambulatory EEG monitoring in the clinic. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a diagnostic test used

to study brain wave activity. It is most useful in evaluating seizure disorders.

After graduating from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine with an M.D. degree, Dr. McCarty completed an internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, followed by both neurology and pediatric residencies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He has also completed training in sleep medicine at the School of Sleep Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif.

For questions and consultations or to schedule EEG testing, call Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Neurology at 256-265-1775.

Huntsville Hospital’s Community Health Initiative Huntsville Hospital’s Community Health Initiative provides annual grants to local organizations that improve the health of

children and adults in Madison County. The Community Health Initiative has awarded more than $3.9 million in grants since the

Community Health Initiative committee members are: Jean W. Templeton, Chair, Greg Barnes, Dr. Leatha M. Bennett, Phil Bentley Jr., Russ Brown, Candy Burnett, Nancy Colin, Jerry Galloway, Jill Gardner, Dale Griggs, Carl A. Grote, Jr. M.D.; Judge Karen K. Hall, Rev. John Herndon, Donna Lamb, Dr. Jo Ann Moorman, Janet Neeley, Lawrence Robey, M.D.; Judy Smith, Charles Upchurch, M.D.; Snyder Washington, Burr Ingram, Hospital Liaison, and Karen Kiss, Program Coordinator.

program’s establishment in 1996.

Recently, Huntsville Hospital Community Health Initiative awarded $400,315 in grants to 12 local non-profit organizations, which include: Community Free Clinic, Health Establishments at Local Schools (HEALS), Huntsville City School System, Madison County School System, Madison City School System, The Pathfinder, CASA, The Arc of Madison County, AIDS Action Coalition of Huntsville, Family Services Center, Interfaith Mission Service–First Stop and the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s Circle Project.

Community Health Initiative committee members are: Jean W. Templeton, Chair, Greg Barnes, Dr. Leatha M. Bennett, Phil Bentley Jr., Russ Brown, Candy Burnett, Nancy Colin, Jerry Galloway, Jill Gardner, Dale Griggs, Carl A. Grote Jr., M.D.; Judge Karen K. Hall, Rev. John Herndon, Donna Lamb, Dr. Jo Ann Moorman, Janet Neeley, Lawrence Robey, M.D.; Judy Smith, Charles Upchurch, M.D.; Snyder Washington, Burr Ingram, Hospital Liaison, and Karen Kiss, Program Coordinator.

Sharing a Bed With a Baby May Carry Risks Some studies link bed-sharing to SIDS Sharing a bed with your spouse may be a nobrainer. But when it comes to your newborn, choosing the sleeping arrangements isn’t so clear.

Some experts say sharing your bed with your baby can be safe and beneficial. Yet other research says bed sharing may raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“We can’t be hard and fast to say do or don’t do it,” says John Kattwinkel, M.D., who chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics’ SIDS task force. “This is a society in which people need to make their own decisions knowing the risk.”

Research shows that soft, sagging surfaces, such as pillows, waterbeds or couches, can cause breathing difficulties and raise the odds of SIDS, Dr. Kattwinkel says. He points out that the risk is much greater if infants sleep on their stomachs.

When co-sleeping with parents, infants can also suffocate if they roll into tight spaces between the bed and the wall, headboard or footboard. And if you smoke, take sedating drugs or sleep deeply, your bed can be a dangerous place for a baby. Even if you get rid of those risks, SIDS can still strike — because doctors don’t know just how it happens. Many now think that some infants’ brains haven’t 2 kidbits

developed enough to wake them if they aren’t getting enough oxygen. “Recent studies show that a baby’s arousal levels may be altered when bed-sharing even though they do not awaken,” says Tanya Zbell, M.D. a pediatrician at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

However, there is no evidence that co-sleeping is protective against SIDS. To stay on the safe side, it is recommended that you place your infant on his back in either a crib or bassinette with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission-approved bedding.

Put the Brakes on Fast Food Cut back on your visits and look for healthier alternatives Every day, one in three American kids eat fast food, a study in Pediatrics found. Those children consume more fat, sugar and carbs, and fewer fruits and nonstarchy vegetables than kids who pass up fast food, according to the study of 6,212 boys and girls ages 4 to 19. The 2004 report estimated fast food could add 6 pounds to a child’s weight each year, feeding the obesity epidemic.

Those extra pounds are no surprise when you consider that the average fast-food “value” meal weighs in at 1,200 calories and 53 grams of fat. A few quick bites can yield more than half of an adult’s fat and calorie allotment for the whole day.

But you don’t have to give up fast food to get your

family’s diet on track. “Just make your fastfood meals healthier by ordering wisely,” says Laura Smith, R.D., of Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Many restaurants are adding healthier fare.

Get your kids to try salads, fruit, grilled chicken on whole-wheat rolls, baked potatoes with vegetables, or frozen yogurt. Steer them away from chicken nuggets, fried foods, and giant orders of fries, onion rings and ice cream.

Here’s some more advice: ♦ Make fast food a once-a-week treat, rather than an everyday occurrence. ♦ Don’t order a “super size” or “value” meal unless you plan to share it. ♦ Skip mayonnaise-based condiments and extra cheese, sources of hidden fat and calories. ♦ Go easy on salad dressing, and ask for fatfree, low-calorie options. ♦ If you order kids’ meals, ask to swap sodas for milk and fries for fruit.

♦ Order items a la carte and get the smallest sizes. ♦ Visit restaurant Web sites for nutrition information to scope out choices before you eat. ♦ Don’t eat in your car. Your kids could start to associate riding with eating. ♦ Get the family to talk about their day while eating, which can help slow the meal.

“Eating more slowly helps you become more conscious of what you’re eating,” says Ms. Smith. “By being more mindful, you get more satisfaction with fewer calories.” ♦ Beware of large portions. ♦ Choose lower-fat options, such as baked or grilled items; omit “special sauces.” ♦ Don’t drink your meal. Choose unsweetened tea, water, 2 percent or skim milk, or diet soda ♦ Avoid terms such as “fried,” “crispy,” “creamed,” “pastry” and “flaky crust.” ♦ Remember, the parent makes the decision to eat out or not.

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Pediatrics Staff ★

Care for infants through adolescents

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Care for all pediatric medical and surgical conditions

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35 private pediatric-friendly patient rooms

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30 registered nurses

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PAL certified nurses

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47 pediatricians and 13 pediatric subspecialists on staff

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Child Life Program

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Pre-op tours

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Pediatric social worker/case manager

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Sibling visitation

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In-room family accommodations

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Bereavement program

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Pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

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Pediatric dietitian

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Pediatric respiratory therapy

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Models used for illustrative purposes only.

Prescription for Danger: Teen Drug Abuse Some adolescents use prescription drugs to get high Prescription painkillers, medicines for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and overthe-counter (OTC) cough syrups are among the many medications American teens take to get high. And they can lead teens into addiction just as easily as illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines.

Recent survey results showed 9 percent of high school seniors had used the painkiller Vicodin without a doctor’s order in the past year.

“Parents need to wake up to this growing trend and watch for signs their son or daughter might be using medicines to get high,” says Maher Karam-Hage, M.D., a clinical assistant professor in the psychiatry department at the University of Michigan Medical School. “These drugs can be highly addictive, and the person can become physically, psychologically and behaviorally addicted to them.”

Recent survey results showed 9 percent of high school seniors had used the painkiller Vicodin without a doctor’s order in the past 6 kidbits

year. About 7 percent had used tranquilizers, about 5 percent had taken the stimulant Ritalin, and about 5 percent had used the painkiller OxyContin.

Each of these drugs affects the brain in different ways. Teens use them to try to achieve a feeling that can range from euphoria to intoxication.

Some OTC medications can also be abused.

“Dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in most cough remedies and is often called DMX, can be highly addictive and fatal if abused,” says Linda Dinerman, M.D., a specialist in adolescent medicine at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Prevention Substance abuse experts suggest you take steps to help prevent and recognize medication abuse in children: ♦ Safeguard all prescription drugs. Know what’s in your medicine cabinet, and in what amounts. ♦ If someone in your home has a cold and takes OTC cough medicine, throw out whatever’s left once symptoms are gone. If you notice teens taking cough medicine when they don’t have a cough, ask them about it. ♦ Keep an eye on teens’ Internet use and mail. Teens often buy prescription drugs through Web sites. ♦ If you suspect your teen is abusing prescription medications, talk to his or her doctor or seek other professional help.

Breaking an addiction to a prescription drug requires expert guidance. ♦ Even if you don’t suspect your child is using medications to get high, talk about the issue. “The best way to prevent it from happening is to educate your teen and be very clear about the dangers of using prescription and OTC medications inappropriately,” advises Dr. Dinerman.

Keep Your Kids from Lighting Up Be supportive — and lead by example The statistics are frightening. Each day, 4,400 young people start smoking — and about half will become daily smokers. Nine out of 10 smokers started before the age of 21.

What can you do to keep your kids from starting?

First, understand why kids do it. Adolescents say they start to be cool, to fit in, to follow what they see in the media and at home, and to reduce stress, according to Loren Foster, RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), Coordinator, Center for Chest Disease at Huntsville Hospital.

Why do they continue? “To relax, to ease stress or depression, or to deal with boredom,” says Ms. Foster.

Ms. Foster suggests that parents be good role models. “What you do is more important than what you say,” she says. Don’t smoke. If you do, try to stop. There’s a high correlation between parents who smoke and children who pick up the habit. If you do smoke, don’t do it in confined spaces with children present or let others do so. ♦ Share your struggle to quit. “Talk to your children about why you’re still smoking and how you feel about it,” Ms. Foster advises.

“Say, ‘I’m hooked and because I love you,

I don’t want you to go through this, too.’ ” ♦ Talk early and often. “You don’t let kids play in traffic because it’s unhealthy, and you don’t wait until they’re 12 to tell them that,” says Ms. Foster “It’s the same with smoking.” ♦ Reject myths. Most kids don’t smoke, and most who do want to quit, says Ms. Foster.

♦ Use teachable moments. Stories about the health effects of smoking or the smokingrelated death of a relative offer opportunities to talk. ♦ Acknowledge peer pressure. Tell kids, “Look, I understand you’re getting a lot of peer pressure. Let’s talk about it.” ♦ Be direct if you suspect your child is smoking. “Don’t pretend you don’t see it,” says Ms. Foster. ♦ Be supportive if your child is smoking.

Grounding doesn’t work, says Ms. Foster.

“Supportive would be, ‘OK, I know this is a problem and we want you to quit. Let’s find a way to help you do it.’ ”

Freedom From Smoking Huntsville Hospital has a smoking cessation program, “Freedom From Smoking,” by the American Lung Association. Our quit rate is around the national average, at 31 percent still not smoking after 12 months. For more information, please call the Center for Chest Disease at 256-265-7071.

Keep Tabs on Your Child’s Development CDC asks parents to “Learn the Signs. Act Early” You track your young child’s physical growth — but how about behavioral growth?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants parents to know the value of measuring a child’s early social and emotional progress. The CDC’s awareness campaign, “Learn the Signs. Act Early,” also offers warning signs of developmental disabilities.

“By recognizing the signs of developmental disabilities early, parents can seek effective treatments, which can dramatically improve their child’s future,” says Beth Daniel, Coordinator, Child Life Program, at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. An estimated 17 percent of children in the United States have a developmental or behavioral disability such as autism, mental retardation or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

It’s important for parents to note when their child learns to smile, how often the child smiles, when the child starts to speak, when

the child begins to play, and how the child interacts with others. “And if a parent notices anything that seems unusual, we want them to talk with their child’s doctor or health care provider,” adds Ms. Daniel.

Every child develops at his or her own pace, but most reach key milestones within a certain time range. The CDC offers an extensive list of milestones at www.cdc.gov/actearly. You can also request information by calling 800-232-4656.

Examples of milestones End of three months ♦ Begins to develop a social smile. ♦ Opens and shuts hands or raises head and chest when lying on stomach. ♦ Watches faces intently.

End of seven months ♦ Explores with hands and mouth. ♦ Responds to own name. ♦ Supports whole weight on legs or rolls both ways (front to back, back to front).

End of 12 months ♦ Is shy or anxious with strangers. ♦ Imitates gestures. ♦ Says “dada” and “mama.”

End of 24 months ♦ Imitates behavior of others. ♦ Begins to sort by shapes and colors. ♦ Walks alone.

End of 36 months ♦ Grasps concept of “mine” and “his/hers.” ♦ Expresses a wide range of emotions. ♦ Understands most sentences.

End of 48 months ♦ Cooperates with other children. ♦ Speaks in sentences of five to six words. ♦ Throws a ball overhand.

End of 60 months ♦ Wants to please friends. ♦ Can count 10 or more objects. ♦ Dresses and undresses without help.

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Injury Prevention for All Children It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: A child is trapped in a burning house, found floating facedown in a swimming pool or thrown from a car. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for American children under age 14. That’s why children’s hospitals are taking the lead to ensure all children lead active but injury-free lives.

Nearly all (94 percent) of children’s hospitals engage in injury prevention advocacy, according to a NACHRI survey of member hospitals. Through educational activities, such as safety fairs, school visits and community classes, children’s hospitals provide families with information on injury prevention topics, including motor vehicle safety,

To Learn More To learn more about the injury prevention efforts of children’s hospitals, visit www.childrenshospitals.net.

drowning, burn and poisoning prevention, and avoiding sports and play injuries. They also teach parents and caregivers how to keep children with disabilities safe.

Children’s hospitals work with local and state legislators to improve child safety laws and to increase funding for programs that help protect children from childhood injuries. Many hospitals provide free or discounted protective equipment, such as bike helmets and booster seats, to families who need them and also supply educational materials in different languages.

To help support children’s hospitals’ injury prevention efforts, NACHRI and Dorel Juvenile Group USA launched “Get on Board with Child Safety,” a nationwide injury prevention campaign. The campaign Web site — www.getonboardwithsafety.com — provides injury prevention information for families and free copies of the Essential Home & Travel Childproofing Guide in both English and Spanish.

Articles in this newsletter are written by professional journalists or physicians who strive to present reliable, up-to-date information. But no publication can replace the care and advice of medical professionals, and readers are cautioned to seek such help for personal problems. ©2005 Health Ink Communications, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067, 267-685-2800. Some images in this publication may be provided by ©2005 PhotoDisc, Inc. All models used for illustrative purposes only. Some illustrations in this publication may be provided by ©2005 The Staywell Company; all rights reserved. (405)

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