Finally, after the long, cold and snowy winter, summer is here!!! And what better way to cool down than a dip in the water. Families are heading to the pool, waterparks, lakes, rivers, etc to relax, have fun and get wet. Here are some tips to stay safe, so that your family outing does not end in tragedy.

NEVER, EVER leave your child alone near a body of water. It is so important, that I am going to say it again: NEVER, EVER, even for a moment, leave your child alone near a body of water. This includes kiddie pools, buckets of water, tubs containing water, toilets, spas/hot tubs, retention ponds, etc. Anywhere water can collect is dangerous to a child. Even one inch of water in a bucket (or anywhere) can result in drowning. An infant is so “top heavy” that if they fall in, they fall in head first and can have their nose and mouth underwater. Buckets and tubs are #1 cause of drowning for children <12 months. Pools are #1 for ages 1-4. Rivers and lakes for 5 and older.

Drowning is the second leading cause of death in middle childhood, after car accidents.  Empty containers of water and kiddie pools after using them.  Home pools need to have four sided fencing. The fence should be 4 feet high with a self closing and latching gate. There should be nothing around the fence that children can use to climb over it.  Rigid motorized pool covers alone will not cut it. “Water-wings” are junk and inflatable pool toys and mattresses are not life preservers.  Always wear a lifejacket. Take toys out of the pool afterwards, so the kids won’t be tempted to play with them. For children under 5, an adult has to be within arm’s reach at all times around bodies of water. For older children, the supervising adult should have their complete attention on the children. That means no texting, no internet, no phone calls/socializing, chores or drinking alcohol. Preferably, the adult watching the kids should know CPR. Older kids/teens should never swim alone.

I have focused mainly on summertime, but wintertime is dangerous as well.  Frozen retention ponds, lakes, rivers are unsafe. The ice needs to be 4-5 inches thick to support a child. The ice should be free of cracks, bubbles, slush and dark areas. Snowcover may actually insulate the water from freezing. Best thing is to stay off frozen bodies of water and go skating at a rink.

For more information, please check out this link: water safety

Have a safe summer!

One quick thing before I get into this week’s post: In my last post, I mentioned when I wanted to be a doctor, but I never said why.  I was born with a “hole in my heart”; mine is a VSD. My “hole” was so big it would never close on its own. So, a month before I turned 11, I had open heart surgery to fix it. My surgeon did such an awesome job, it’s like the hole never existed. He is still practicing. Hopefully none of your children will need his services, but if so, he is the best!  Ok, on to this week’s post:

Why Choose a Pediatrician?

Pediatricians are doctors concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Pediatricians provide health services ranging from preventive health care/checkups to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. A pediatrician will: Do physical exams. Give your child recommended immunizations. Make sure your child is meeting developmental milestones in growth, behavior, and skills. Diagnose and treat your child’s illnesses, infections, injuries, and other health problems. Give you information about your child’s health, safety, nutrition, and fitness needs. Answer your questions about your child’s growth and development. Refer to and collaborate with specialists should your child need care beyond the pediatrician’s expertise.

Pediatricians understand the many factors that affect the growth and development of children. They understand that children are not simply small adults. Children change rapidly, so pediatricians take into account their stage of physical and mental development. They often present different symptoms from adults. They may need different prescriptions or treatments than adults. Pediatricians are specially trained to recognize the importance of these differences, especially with young children and newborns.

Because the welfare of children and adolescents is heavily dependent on the home and family, the pediatrician supports efforts to create a nurturing environment. Such support includes education about healthful living and guidance for both patients and parents. Pediatricians participate in the community to prevent or solve problems in child and adolescent healthcare, and they serve as advocates for children and adolescents.

Why Do You Need a Pediatrician?

Family physicians can also provide routine care for children. Choosing between a family doctor and a pediatrician can be a personal preference. Here are some reasons to consider choosing a pediatrician:

• Pediatricians have specialized training in the physical, emotional, and behavioral needs of children.
• Pediatricians only see children, so they often have a broader experience recognizing and treating childhood illnesses.
• If your child was born early or has a health condition that needs close monitoring, a pediatrician may offer more specialized care.

Pediatricians are therefore primarily concerned with the health, welfare, and development of children and adolescents from birth to age 21; they are uniquely qualified to provide care for children because of their specialized training and concern for their well-being. Pediatricians have graduated from medical school and completed a three-year residency program in pediatrics.

References:

www.abp.org

www.healthychildren.org

www.webmd.com

Hi!

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Welcome to the inaugural post of the Kids Doc Blog, a collaborative effort of pediatricians (kids docs) of Rush-Copley Medical Group (RCMG). I am Dr. Eva Alessia, D.O., FAAP, your Madame of Ceremonies for this post. We are four lovely ladies (Drs. Ababio, Keller, Kumar and yours truly) and one distinguished gentleman (Dr. Granoff), the patriarch of the group. We are all parents or parents-to-be and are here to guide you down that fun, crazy and sometimes scary path called parenthood. Our blog will discuss various topics, questions or situations that we are asked a lot in the office or after hours. We’ll also throw in some snippets or observations from our own personal experience, and maybe even an awesome recipe or two! We all have our own personalities and practice styles, so we will each bring a different perspective to this blog. We hope you enjoy our blog and learn a lot!

Ok, a little about me. I was born in Chicago and grew up in the south suburbs (Lansing, IL). I am 100% Hungarian and an only child. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 8 years old. I am married (not to a doctor) and have two sons. Andrew is 16 and recently got his driver’s license and James is almost 14 and is graduating from eighth grade this year! In my free time, when I am not being a mother, daughter, wife, doctor, chauffeur, homework helper, etc., I like to read, listen to music, watch movies, be with my family and friends and bake (hence the recipes). I am also involved in my church as a lector and adult leader for the youth group. Ok, enough about me. Let’s get to the “meat” of this post. Let’s talk about fevers.

Fevers are actually a good thing; it means your child’s body is fighting the infection. Fevers last for about 3 to 4 days on average. If your child’s fever is higher, it doesn’t necessarily mean your child is sicker or has something more serious going on. What matters is how your child looks and is acting. Some kids are happy and active and their fever is 103 F; another child has a fever of 101 F and is just lying around on the couch. Fever generally causes no harm until it reaches 107 F. We have seen fevers of 106 F in the office with viruses, such as flu. Try not to treat the fever until it reaches 102 or 103 F. However, if your child is uncomfortable and the fever is lower, go ahead and treat.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Feverall) can be used for all ages. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is for ages 6 months and older. Aspirin is not recommended; if given during a viral infection, it could cause Reye’s Syndrome (a serious illness). Fevers usually come down 2 to 3 degrees with treatment, within 2 hours of giving medication, but don’t be surprised if they spike right back up after the medicine has worn off. Even if the medicine doesn’t touch the fever, that doesn’t mean your child is seriously sick.

Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen doesn’t make the fever go away any faster and generally is not necessary. However, consider it if the fever is more than 104 F. Alternate every 4 hours and only for 24 hours or less. Encourage extra fluids and dress the child like Goldilocks: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Consider bath if fever is 104 F and doesn’t start to drop within 30 minutes of giving medication. The temperature of the water should be around 100 F. Place your child in the tub and pour cupfuls of water onto his body. As the water evaporates, it cools the body down. It’s just like when you get out of the pool in the summer and you feel cold before you have a chance to towel off. Once the child starts to shiver slightly, take him out and dress him. And, do not add rubbing alcohol to the water; it can be breathed in and lead to a coma.

That’s all fine and good Dr. Alessia, but when should I call you or your partners? Call if your child is less than 3 months old, has a fever over 105 F or is looking and acting very sick. Also, call one of us if your infant has a temp LESS than 97.5 F. Low temperatures can be serious too! I have included links to how to check a child’s temperature, dosing charts for medications and fever treatment. Thanks for visiting our blog! Check back regularly for more info!

Links to more info:
HealthyChildren.org
Mayo Clinic