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Denver, CO Permit No. 4773
6071 E. Woodmen Road, Suite 225 Colorado Springs, CO 80923 719-571-7130
Instant Relief
Centura Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare is pleased to offer same-day appointments for established patients and newborn first visits. Just call our offices at 719-571-7130 and we’ll be happy to see your child that day for any medical or urgent care issue. And remember, for situations that are more serious, the Pediatric ER at St. Francis Medical Center is open 24/7 at the corner of E. Woodmen Road and N. Powers Blvd.
Centura Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network. Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2017.
HEAD
GAMES What you need to know about concussions
Also inside:
Recognize signs of suicide Spring 2017
How accurate are fertility apps?
Helping parents raise healthy toddlers, tots, and teens
Tips to avoid MEDICATION errors
Volume 2, Issue 2
caution
a dose of
Medication mistakes can be dangerous
C
hildren’s medicines come with an array of syringes, caps, and weird abbreviations. So it’s no surprise that parents might get doses wrong. One study found 84 percent of parents have given children incorrect doses at some point. Children’s dosages are generally based on a child’s weight, says Pennie Schultz, MD, a pediatrician at Centura Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare. “So it’s important to make sure you are following that. It’s not OK to ballpark.” Overdoses, even of over-the-counter medicines, can have serious consequences. “But the scary part is, often there are no outward signs. So you don’t know it’s happening,” Schultz says. She encourages parents to use the syringe or cap that comes with the medication, which has measurements, usually in mls (milliliters), on it. And if you suspect an overdose, call poison control immediately.
Pregnancy planning: There may not be an app for that If you’re using a fertility app to help you conceive — or avoid conceiving — having a backup is a good idea. A recent analysis of fertility awareness apps found most don’t use accurate scientific methods. That’s not surprising, says Kristine Hardesty, certified FertilityCare™ practitioner at St. Francis Medical Center. “You can have the best app in the world, but it’s only as good as the information you put in it.” Natural family planning can be tricky, Hardesty says. “Not every woman has a 28-day cycle. And the last cycle isn’t necessarily a predictor of future cycles. Stress, medications, a number of things can throw it off.” Fertility also spans about a third of a woman’s cycle, not just two or three days as commonly believed. The key to natural family planning is knowing and using biomarkers such as temperature and cervical mucus, she says.
Download a FREE handout on avoiding medication emergencies at bloomkidshealth.org. Learn how to read biomarkers at the FertilityCareTM program at St. Francis Medical Center: 719-571-3472.
Q
bloomkidshealth.org
How long should I breastfeed?
A
“Any amount of breast milk is better than none, because it builds immunity,” says Sarah Amoroso, DO, pediatrician at Centura Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until baby’s first birthday. When it’s time to quit, she says, “some babies will be fine going cold turkey. For others, I tell moms not to offer to nurse. But if baby wants to, go ahead. One method is to decrease nursing by a minute or two each day.”
When it comes to your child’s nutrition, is skim milk better than whole milk? Watch a video to learn the nutrition benefits of both at bloomkidshealth.org.
CHPG Pediatrics NorthCare
up
Heads
Proper concussion evaluation is vital to protecting developing brains
T
he number of teens diagnosed with concussions soared 71 percent between 2010 and 2015, but that isn’t all bad, says Michael Nunley, MD, PhD, a neuropsychologist at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. He attributes part of the rise to greater awareness of concussion and its dangers for kids. Assessing concussions can be tricky since they often don’t show up on medical tests (such as X-rays or scans) but can still have devastating effects. Nunley recommends the use of ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). With ImPACT, an athlete is evaluated before the season to establish baseline neurocognitive function. If a child is injured, follow-up evaluations can be compared with the initial test. The comparison is vital, Nunley says. “Athletes sometimes lie. They don’t want to leave the game; they don’t want to be seen as weak.” Or they might not recognize any problems. After diagnosis, some kids may be able to resume light workouts within a week; others may have to avoid activities and the glare of electronic devices for some time. Each child is different, and so is their recovery, Nunley says. So it’s critical for parents to have their child checked by a health care professional before returning to play. The Penrose-St. Francis concussion clinic includes neuropsychology, occupational and physical therapy, speech language pathology, and referral. Even without baseline testing, the concussion clinic can assess and treat concussions. To schedule baseline testing or to make an appointment, call 719-776-5200.
Learn the signs of a concussion and when to take your child to an ER at bloomkidshealth.org.
SPEAK UP to
stop suicide
Taking the trauma out of vaccinations
I
f your child is terrified of getting an injection, you can reduce anxiety with comfort positioning, says St. Francis Medical Center Certified Child Life Specialist Jessica Wasko. Hold your child sitting up in your lap (lying down on a table exacerbates feelings of being vulnerable), and then wrap your arms snugly around your child and hold the arm or leg where the shot will be administered. Use firm, confident body language.
Learn how to comfort position like a pro by watching an online video at bloomkidshealth.org.
the Centura Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare physicians For Sarah Amoroso, DO, spring doesn’t just mean trading snow boots for hiking boots. It also brings healthy pleasures in the form of fresh apricots and strawberries. “I love to put them on top of pancakes, in yogurt, or in my oatmeal.”
Little shots of horror
3 Things NOT to Do: • Say you’re going to the zoo and “surprise” your child with vaccinations. That can heighten fear and erode trust. • Say it won’t hurt. Say, “You’ll feel a little poke.” • Use the word “shot.” Some children may think you’re talking about a gun.
Get to Know
For Mikhal Schiffer, MD, this spring means warm days with her new baby, Talia, who was born on Jan. 3.
A spike in teen suicides in Colorado Springs may have parents thinking they shouldn’t talk to their teens about the issue because it will put ideas into their heads. But research shows just the opposite, says Di Thompson, MD, medical director of behavioral health at Centura Health Physician Group Behavioral Health. If your child seems depressed, his grades drop, or she suddenly loses interest in activities or friends, don’t be afraid to ask if they are thinking about hurting themselves. Most will be honest. If they say yes, contact a suicide hotline or take them to the ER, and DON’T leave them alone. Learn triggers that put youths at risk of attempting suicide, common signs to watch for, and tips on how you can help online at bloomkidshealth.org.
At the home of Pennie Schultz, MD, spring is the time when healthy eating is the most fun. Her seasonal favorite is asparagus, which she throws on the grill or roasts in the oven. “It tastes great with just a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.”
CHPG Pediatrics NorthCare is conveniently located at 6071 E. Woodmen Road, Suite 225, in Colorado Springs. We are accepting new patients. Call 719-571-7130 for an appointment, or come to our office for a FREE meet and greet on the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
bloom kids is published four times annually by Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. As part of Centura Health, our mission is to nurture the health of the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement and not replace advice provided by a licensed health care professional. For comments or to unsubscribe to this publication, please email us at bloomkids@centura.org. bloom kids is produced by Clementine Healthcare Marketing. Executive editor is Jill Woodford. 719-571-7130
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