Vick's May Help Improve Cold Symptoms

Some good news as we head deeper into cold and flu season, as a new study has shown that Vicks vapor rub may help improve cold symptoms.  This was a study that involved 130 children with upper respiratory symptoms and compared Vicks to vasoline and a placebo.  Interestingly, those children who were treated with Vicks had an improvement in symptoms as well as sleep compared to the other two groups!  This certainly is a good thing, as we are somewhat limited in what we as physicians can recommend when children come into the office with colds and the flu.  Just one important note, though, that the regular Vicks should not be used in children under 2 (there is baby Vicks that can be used in its place).

Free Hop-N-Healthy Demo Class on Friday at 5:30!!!

Similac Powder Infant Formula Recall

As many of you may know, Similac just announced a large recall of it's powdered infant formula because of concerns with contamination (from the possible presence of a beetle). Apparently, the possible contamination occurred in one production area in a single manufacturing facility, but Abbott is acting conservatively by recalling a large amount of powdered formula.

The recall of these powder infant formulas includes:
-Certain Similac powder product lines offered in plastic containers.
-Certain Similac powder product lines offered in 8-ounce, 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans.

To immediately find out if the product in your possession is included in this recall, parents and caregivers should visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected, or call (800) 986-8850.

No Abbott liquid infant formulas are impacted. Products not involved in the recall include all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready-to-feed and concentrated infant formulas and all powder and liquid specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert Care™ Alimentum®, Elecare ®, Similac Expert Care™ Neosure ®, Similac® Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders.

Pneumococcal Vaccine Given a Facelift

The pneumococcal vaccine (Prevnar) has been given a facelift.  Protection against an additional 6 strains has been added to the vaccine.  The pneumococcal bacteria is among the more common causes of ear infections, pneumonia, and meningitis in young children, and these six strains have been increasingly responsible for a number of severe illnesses.  As a result of the new formulation, the CDC has recommended that all children between 12 months and 5 years old receive a booster dose of Prevnar (if they haven't received one yet).  We started use of this new formulation about 3 months ago, meaning children between around 15 months and 5 years old would qualify for this booster dose.  If you have any questions, please give our office a call.

October 2010 Newsletter

We've finally gotten around to publishing another newsletter!  Hopefully, we will continue to put out newsletters every 3-6 months or so.  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, here is our October 2010 newsletter.  Please note that our new website address is www.tlcpedsny.com.  Enjoy!

Hop-N-Healthy Free Demo Class! Sign Up Online!

Check Out TLC on Facebook!

If any of our patients or parents have facebook accounts, we encourage you to check out our Facebook page, and, if you are so inclined, post a review of one of our physicians or of the practice.  Anyone who posts a review will be entered into a drawing to receive a free TLC hat!

The Risks of Performance Enhancing Substances

Please read this informative article from Dr. Clare regarding the use of performance enhancing substances. Dr. Clare is featured as the "Pediatrician On Call" in the Poughkeepsie Journal every 2 weeks, please look for her articles!

Flu shot update

We currently have supplies of the flu vaccine for children aged 3 years and older who are covered under private insurance. We are still waiting for flu vaccine for children under age 3 and those covered by government insurance. We expect these vaccines to become available in the next 2 weeks. We also have a supply of Flumist, which is a nasal vaccine that can be given to children aged 2 years and older who have no history of asthma. The CDC is recommending that all children from 6 months to 18 years be vaccinated against the flu. The good news this year is that there is only one flu vaccine! To schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine, please call our office. Unlike in previous years, the vaccine will be first-come, first-served this year (those children with asthma and other chronic illnesses will be given priority, however).

New Website Address

Please be aware that our website address has changed to www.tlcpedsNY.com. Thank you.

Nit-picking

A new guideline published recently by the AAP suggests that kids should not be excluded from school simply because of nits. The consensus is that by excluding children from school, we are doing more harm to them than good. Nits (lice eggs) are "stuck" to a child's hair and, by their nature, are unable to move from child-to-child. Additionally, previous studies have shown that checking an entire school for lice is not terribly effective in controlling an outbreak. It does make sense to check children after a sleep over or summer camp, or something similar. As far as excluding an affected child from school, we'll have to see what happens with local policy. Treating head lice with OTC remedies (such as Nix or Rid) is usually quite effective, though sometimes there is resistance and a prescription strength medication is necessary. Additionally, many head lice treatments contain pesticides, and if you are concerned about this, there are other more natural type remedies available in the local health stores.

AAP Protect Tomorrow Video

Please watch this short but touching video on the importance of vaccines.

Branding Food Packages with Licensed Characters

An interesting study out of this month's Journal of Pediatrics looked at how putting characters (Mickey Mouse, Scooby-Doo, etc) onto food packages influenced the taste preferences of children between 4-6 years old. Not surprisingly, these characters substantially influenced the children, who showed a preference to the foods labeled with characters. The attraction was strongest when it came to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (such as fruit snacks). Two things seem pretty clear here, first, the FDA needs to restrict character branding of foods, especially junk foods. Second, if you are grocery shopping for your children, it may be best to avoid purchasing these types of foods, as it's clear a great majority of them are unhealthy.

EWG Releases 2010 Sunscreen Guide

The Environmental Working Group, in time for summer, has released it's fourth annual sunscreen report. The group examines the safety of each sunscreen currently on the market and has a list of the best ones, along with the ones to avoid, and why. We suggest you check it out, as it might open some eyes (and save some skin!). For more details, click here.

Tips for Lawn Mower Safety

With the summer almost here, the time for cutting lawns has arrived! Many teens will use lawn-mowing as a way to earn some spending money, while others will be delegated the job by their parents! The AAP offers some tips for lawn mower safety:

--Children should be 12 or older before operating a lawn mower. They should be at least 16 for a riding mower.

--Children should never be passengers on riding mowers.

--Wear sturdy shoes while mowing, not sandals.

--Make sure young children are a safe distance away from the area being mowed.

--Pick up stones, toys and debris before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.

--Always wear eye and hearing protection.

--Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless really necessary. Look behind you if you do.

AAP Revises Swim Class Recommendations

The AAP has recently revised its recommendations for swim lessons for toddlers and young children. Until now, swim lessons were not thought to be beneficial in terms of water safety or drowning prevention for children under 4. New studies, however, have found that swim lessons starting at age 1 may in fact provide a benefit to children in these areas. The AAP does advise that parents choose a class that emphasizes water safety, is taught with parents in the water with their children, and has at least 1 instructor for every 10 children. For more information, click on the title above.

New Children's Fitness Program in our Area!

We were very excited to learn yesterday of a brand new program in our area called Hop-N-Healthy. This service is designed as a "fitness program just for kids." The instructor of these classes, Ginny Leake, is a nationally certified AFPA Children's Fitness Specialist. Through this program, she hopes to educate as many young children as possible about the importance of daily exercise and healthy nutritional choices as a way of life. There are 7 weekly sessions, affordably priced, and held at Kidztown in the Hark Plaza on Route 9 in Wappingers. Classes are available for children from 18 months through 4 years. We've heard from a couple of our own families who attended a session and the children LOVED it! For more info, call 392-5996, or click on the link above to check out their website.

Happy Mother's Day!

TLC would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! Enjoy your day!

Latest Recall of OTC Medications

Another recall of certain OTC medications, including Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl. The reason for the recall is related to the medications possibly not meeting certain control standards. There have been no adverse events associated with any of the medicine. If you have any of the recalled medications (click on link above), please dispose of them. It may be best to buy a generic brand fever reducer in the meantime until stores are restocked.

TLC Pleased to Announce Dr. Cesar Villaflor Joining Our Staff

TLC is very proud to announce that, as of July 1st, Cesar Villaflor, MD, will be joining our physican staff. Some of you may know Dr. Villaflor from his days at Poughkeepsie Medical Group where he spent many successful years. Over the last few years, he has been practicing in Middletown, NY, but is pleased to be returning to practice in the community he calls home. Dr. Villaflor, board certified in pediatrics, will be practicing mainly in our Poughkeepsie office. The arrival of Dr. Villaflor reaffirms our commintment to providing high quality pediatric care to the children of the Hudson Valley.

Spanking Not a Good Form of Discipline

Although spanking as a method of child disclipine is frowned on by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it remains a common practice. A recent study in the journal Pediatrics looked at spanking of 3 year olds and risk of subsequent behavioral problems. It found that children who were spanked by their parents 2 times or more in a month had a higher risk of aggressive behavior when they reached the age of 5. Just another reason to take a deep breath before you do something you might regret. For tips on better ways to discipline, check this link: Discipline

Holiday Weekend Hours

For the holiday weekend, TLC will be closing early today, Friday April 2nd, in honor of Good Friday. We will be open regular hours, from 8:30am - 1pm on Saturday. We will be closed on Sunday in honor of Easter Sunday. Our answering service will be available at all times, as will the physician on call. Have a nice weekend and enjoy the nice weather.

Pollen Counts on the Rise

With the nice weather of the last couple days (finally!), pollen counts have risen dramatically. Please remember to schedule your child's allergy check today! For local pollen levels, check out this website and put in your zip code.

10 Year Anniversary of TLC

This ad was posted in the Journal as TLC celebrates it's 10th year of providing quality and compassionate care to the children of the Hudson valley. We look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence in the coming years.

Do Toys in Pediatric Waiting Rooms Transmit Viruses?

An interesting study came out recently regarding the potential transmission of respiratory viruses (such as influenza and RSV) from pediatric waiting rooms. In this study, researchers found up to 30% of toys in waiting rooms (both well and sick) were infected with certain respiratory viruses. Interestingly enough, however, when they checked to see if the virus was transferred to the researcher's fingers, it was not!

FDA Suspends Use of Rotarix Vaccine

In a move that will have no effect on our patients, the FDA temporarily suspended the use of GSK's Rotarix vaccine last week because of contamination from another virus. The virus found in the vaccine is of no danger to humans, but it is unknown how it turned up in the product. TLC uses Rotateq vaccine, manufactured by Merck, which was not involved in the suspension.

Many Babies Vitamin D Deficient

As has been mentioned on the blog here before, vitamin D is increasingly shown to be very essential in the health and well-being of both children and adults. A recent article in the journal Pediatrics pointed out that as few as 1 in 5 formula fed infants and 1 in 20 breast-fed infants are getting the required amount of vitamin D (400 International Units daily). What does this mean for your infant? Well, if your baby is formula fed and consuming less than 32 ounces a day (most infants under 6 months do not consume that much), he should receive a vitamin D supplement. Similarly, if your baby takes both breast and bottle, the consumption of forumula will certainly be less than 32 ounces per day, so he should also receive the supplement. Lastly, all breastfed babies should be on a vitamin D supplement starting somewhere between birth and 2 months of age (the opinion varies on this). In terms of supplements, there are several products on the market, including D-vi-sol and Tri-vi-sol which are widely available in drug stores. A newer product which seems promising is called "Ddrops". This is available in stores only in Canada, but can be purchased online. The appealing aspect of this product is that it is only one drop, and the vitamin can be placed directly on the mother's nipple prior to nursing, making administration very simple. Read more about it at : http://www.ddrops.ca/baby-ddrops400ic.php.

Daily Routines That May Prevent Childhood Obesity

An interesting study that recently came out of Ohio State looked at rates of obesity in children exposed to several daily routines. The study involved preschool-aged children and found a 40% lower prevalence of obesity in children who did all of the following:

1.) Had family dinners at least 6 dinners per week

2.) Slept 10.5 hours or more each weeknight

3.) Watched less than two hours of television or movies each weekday

Basically, in this study, children who were exposed to all three routines had a 14% prevalence of obesity. Children exposed to none of the routines had a 25% prevalence of obesity.

Now that is definitely some food for thought!

Graco Stroller Recall

Yet another recall today, this one involving 1.5 million Graco strollers. The hinge mechanism is faulty and can possibly result in severe finger injuries, including amputation.

For further details, click here.

Tylenol Recall

Johnson and Johnson recently announced a voluntary recall of several OTC products including Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl. Apparently, there were trace amounts of chemicals used to treat wood pallets being found in these products. These products may have a "musty smell" and ingesting them may cause minor GI disturbances (nausea or vomiting).

For further details: McNeil Consumer Healthcare

For the full list of recalled products: Product List

Preparing for a Disaster

With the recent events following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, some parents may find themselves questioning how best to prepare their children for a potential disaster. With that in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics has prepared a great resource for talking to your family and preparing them for something that, hopefully, never comes.

For more details, check out this link: Getting Your Family Prepared for a Disaster