Pediatric Care Archives

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. With children going back to school, it is important to get their eyes checked.

Vision is a vital part of a child’s development. It is how they learn, play, and interact with the world around them.

Unfortunately, many eye problems in children go undetected, which can lead to long-term issues. Regular eye exams are critical in identifying problems early which ensures your child has the best chance for healthy vision. Good vision is essential for their performance in school, in sports, and their overall well-being.

Children are vulnerable to many eye problems, including:

Injuries
Infections
Nearsightedness

There are many things to be aware of that may indicate a problem with your child’s eyes. They include:

Their eyes do not line up or appear crossed
Their eyelids are red-rimmed, crusted, or swollen
Their eyes are watery or inflamed
They rub their eyes a lot
They close or cover one eye
They tilt their head forward
They have trouble reading or doing other close-up work
They hold objects close to their eyes to see
They blink more than usual or seem cranky when doing close-up work
Things are blurry or hard to see for them

There are many ways to protect your child’s eye health, including:

Getting regular eye exams
Wearing protective eyewear during sports and other activities
Limiting screen time
Practicing healthy nutrition

If you would like to schedule an eye exam for your child, you can visit an ophthalmologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

August is National Immunization Awareness Month or NIAM. It is an annual observance highlighting the importance of getting routine vaccinations for people of all ages.

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to protect our bodies against viruses or bacteria that cause infection. After vaccination, the immune system is better prepared to respond quickly when the body encounters disease-causing organisms.

Vaccinations are important at every stage of life. They are one of the safest preventative care measures available and help play a vital role in keeping you healthy. When you skip vaccines, you leave yourself vulnerable to illnesses such as shingles, influenza (flu), and both HPV and hepatitis B which are leading causes of cancer.

Getting vaccinated also helps keep your family and community healthy, as vaccinations can help lessen the severity of illness and keep diseases from spreading. Additionally, vaccinations help protect those most vulnerable to illness, such as infants, elders, and people with weakened immune systems.

If you or a loved one would like to get vaccinated, schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital’s Department of Internal Medicine or your primary care physician as soon as possible.

To schedule an appointment for you or a loved one to get up to date on vaccinations, you can call Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center at (718) 670-5486.

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis isn’t just an older person’s disease. Children can suffer from it as well.

Juvenile arthritis or pediatric rheumatic disease is an umbrella term that describes the inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children 16 years and under.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints instead of fighting viruses and germs. It is the most common type of arthritis in children.

Other types of juvenile arthritis include:

Juvenile myositis- is an inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness. There are two types:

Juvenile polymyositis
Juvenile dermatomyositis

Juvenile lupus- is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, skin, internal organs, and other areas. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Juvenile scleroderma- describes a group of conditions that cause the skin to tighten and harden.
Vasculitis- is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels that can lead to heart complications. According to the Arthritis Foundation, Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HCP) are the most common vasculitis in kids and teens.
Fibromyalgia- is a chronic pain syndrome that causes widespread muscle pain and stiffness. It also causes fatigue, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms. It is more common in girls and rarely diagnosed before puberty.

The symptoms of juvenile arthritis can vary depending on the type. The most common symptoms include:

Joint pain
Joint swelling
Joint stiffness
Fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rash

It can be difficult to diagnose juvenile arthritis in children because joint pain can be caused by many different problems. Here are some ways it is diagnosed:

Physical exams
Blood tests
Imaging scans

There is no cure for arthritis. However, it can be treated. Treatments include:

Medications
Physical or occupational therapies
Surgery
Self-care

If you believe your child is experiencing arthritis symptoms, visiting a pediatrician as soon as possible is important. You can schedule an appointment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020

Tips To Prevent Summer Injuries and Illnesses In Children

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Xavia Malcolm

During the summer, children spend more time outside participating in physical activities which can increase their risk of injury and developing certain illnesses.

Here are a few of the most common summer illnesses and injuries, and ways to prevent them:

Water-related injuries and drownings are among the leading causes of injury and death in young children. Serious injuries resulting from falls often occur around swimming pools or diving areas, and children can drown quickly in any body of water. Accidents can be prevented by:

Teaching children to ask permission before going into the water
Teaching children how to swim
Paying attention to children when they are in or around water
Wearing life jackets
Fencing off pools with fences made with self-latching devices
Installing pool covers
Adding a pool alarm
Learning how to perform CPR and knowing first-aid

Fall-related injuries are among the most common in children and tend to happen more during the warmer months. However, the risk of falls, and sustaining injuries from these accidents can be reduced by:

Removing fall hazards or supervising children near fall hazards
Installing safety gates near staircases and keeping stairs clutter-free
Wearing appropriate footwear that is slip-resistant and fits properly
Using playgrounds that have soft surfaces under equipment
Wearing helmets when using scooters, tricycles, or bicycles

Heat-related injuries can include several health complications such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. These illnesses can be life-threatening, but thankfully can be avoided by:

Drinking plenty of fluids
Wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing
Spending as much time possible indoors during very hot and humid days
Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and responding appropriately

Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease or babesiosis peak during the warmer months when we are more likely to participate in activities in wooded or grassy areas. To prevent tick-borne illnesses, we can:

Use repellants that contain 20 to 30% DEET
Wear protective clothing, and tuck our pants into our socks
Check the body for ticks and remove them as soon as they are discovered
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors

Enteroviruses can cause illnesses such as the summer flu, pink eye, and coxsackie. These illnesses are highly transmissible, and outbreaks peak in the summer. However, you can control the spread of enteroviruses by practicing hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces that children touch most often.

If your child is experiencing symptoms associated with these summer illnesses or has sustained injuries from an accident, it’s important to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.

Pediatric Liver Disease

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Liver problems can lead to very serious medical complications. Whether these problems are urgent potential emergencies, such as acute liver failure, or long-term health issues, such as fatty liver disease, they can become life-threatening if they are not treated promptly and effectively. Liver problems are not rare in adults; according to the American Liver Foundation, they affect over 100 million people throughout the United States. However, in rare cases, they can also occur in children.

The most common type of liver condition in children is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which occurs when too much fat forms in the liver cells. NAFLD can occur due to:

Obesity
Insulin resistance
Type 2 diabetes
Abnormally high amounts of cholesterol or fat in the bloodstream
Sleep apnea

In its early stages, NAFLD doesn’t usually cause symptoms. As damage to the liver accumulates, the following symptoms may occur:

Abdominal discomfort or pain
Fatigue
Irritability, depression, and/or anxiety
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in skin color around the joints, upper back, and/or the back of the neck

Continued damage to the liver over an extended period of time leads to cirrhosis, which refers to the formation of nodules on the liver. Cirrhosis also causes the liver to harden. As cirrhosis occurs, other symptoms may begin to appear, including:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Itching skin
Stomach swelling
Dark-colored urine
Bruising easily

A variety of other conditions can also cause liver disease to occur in children. Many of these can occur as a result of a variety of factors, such as inherited genes or viral infections. They include:

Alagille syndrome
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Crigler-Najjar syndrome
Glycogen storage disease type 1
Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis
Gilbert syndrome
Autoimmune liver disease
Biliary atresia
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Galactosemia
Hepatitis B and C
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Reye’s syndrome
Wilson disease

If your child is experiencing symptoms of liver disease, it’s important to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible. You can schedule an appointment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists by calling (718) 704-5020.

Migraine in Children

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Migraines are well-known for their ability to cause a severe, throbbing headache, but they also often cause nausea, light sensitivity, neck stiffness, and difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms.

Migraines affect approximately 12% of people throughout the United States, many of whom are adults; however, approximately 10% of children also experience migraine headaches. Migraines do not necessarily occur the same way for children as they do for adults. To name a few of the differences, adult migraines are more likely to:

Affect one side of the head
Last for up to several days
Lead to irritability or depression
Begin with aura (visual disturbances, speech difficulties, and/or numbness) before the actual headache

On the other hand, when a child experiences migraines, they are more likely to affect both sides of the head. This often lasts for a shorter period of time than an adult migraine. They also rarely begin with aura or lead to behavioral symptoms such as irritability or depression.

One of the primary risk factors for migraines in children is genetics; if one or both parents have experienced migraines, there is a high likelihood (up to 75%) that a child will also experience them. It’s also more likely to affect girls than boys; attacks often start to occur after a girl’s first period. Other contributing factors include:

Stress
Skipping meals
Too much or too little sleep
Changes in weather
Hormonal changes
Concussions or traumatic brain injuries
Certain foods

There is no specific test to diagnose migraines in children. However, a doctor may be able to determine whether this could be the cause of a child’s head pain by getting more information about:

The child’s specific symptoms
How those symptoms have responded to treatment so far
How the child’s symptoms are affecting their ability to function in school or other daily activities
Whether migraine or other conditions that cause head pain run in the child’s family

If you believe your child may be experiencing migraines, you can get them the expert care they need at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-3007.

Should You Give Your Child Probiotics?

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Digestive problems such as the stomach flu, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation are very common among children and are often causes for trips to a doctor’s office. In an effort to prevent these types of problems, many parents incorporate probiotics into their child’s diet. In fact, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, probiotics are the third most common natural product used by children.

Probiotics are strains of bacteria that support digestive processes. While many people associate bacteria with illnesses, certain types are necessary to help your digestive system function. In addition to processes such as nutrient absorption, these “good” bacteria also support a wide variety of functions associated with your heart, brain, and immune system.

There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may be helpful for preventing and treating common digestive issues in children, such as IBS, the stomach flu, constipation, and acid reflux, as well as some other medical problems, such as upper respiratory tract infections and eczema. However, there is currently not enough research to determine what the long-term benefits and risks of giving your child probiotics may be.

There are many different sources of probiotics. While supplement products (such as gummies or pills) are available, these types of products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being sold, making it difficult to verify claims they make regarding health benefits. However, another popular source of probiotics among people of all ages is yogurt, particularly products that contain “live cultures,” as stated on their labels.

Not all probiotics contain the same types of bacteria; for this reason, certain products may be more helpful against specific digestive problems than others. Additionally, there are known risks associated with giving probiotics to certain groups of children; for example, children with compromised immune systems could develop an infection, and other, more serious side effects could occur in sick infants. Make sure to talk to your child’s pediatrician before giving them probiotics.

If your child is experiencing gastrointestinal problems, you can take them to visit a pediatrician at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 704-5020.

What Can Cause Delayed Puberty in Children?

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Puberty typically starts between the ages of 9 and 14 for boys and between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls. However, some children may experience this process later than normal. This usually does not indicate a medical problem, but in some cases, it can be caused by genetic factors or an underlying condition.

Delayed puberty is defined as a lack of increase in testicle size by the age of 14 for boys and a lack of increase in breast development by the age of 13 for girls. Even if a child is experiencing other indicators of puberty, such as public hair growth or body odor, they may still meet the definition of delayed puberty.

Some of the medical conditions that can cause delayed puberty include cardiac problems, celiac disease, Klinefelter syndrome (in boys), Turner syndrome (in girls), and conditions that disrupt normal hormonal processes. Delayed puberty may also result from hereditary factors. If one or both of a child’s parents experienced puberty at a slower rate than most children, it is more likely that it will happen to that child, as well.

Many cases of delayed puberty (particularly in boys) are also associated with constitutional growth delay (CGD). CGD causes skeletal growth to be temporarily delayed. While potentially alarming, this delay is recognized as a normal part of physical development for some children and is not a cause for concern.

Treatment for delayed puberty often involves hormone therapy to jumpstart the overall process. However, it also partially depends on the factors that are causing it to occur. If the delay is the result of an underlying medical problem, treatment will also need to focus on resolving or managing that problem. Aside from a physical examination, these problems can be diagnosed through x-ray imaging (to look at bone development) and blood tests (to check hormone levels and identify signs of underlying disorders).

If your child is experiencing delayed puberty, you can visit a pediatric endocrinologist at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 704-5020.

National Head Lice Prevention Month

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Head lice are parasitic insects that infest people’s hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, feeding on human blood several times per day. They are not known to spread disease, but they are contagious and can spread through contact with the hair of a person who has them. Aside from direct personal contact, this can also occur through indirect means, such as sharing clothes with a person with head lice or laying on furniture after they’ve used it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head lice infestations (also known as pediculosis) occur most commonly in the United States among pre-school and elementary school children, as well as among people living in the same household as children within these age groups.

Signs of pediculosis include the feeling of something moving through the hair, itching, the development of sores on the scalp, and difficulty sleeping due to the increased activity of head lice in the dark. A diagnosis is generally made when head lice are found on the scalp.

Preventing the spread of head lice can be challenging, as children are often in close contact with one another throughout each school day. Some steps you can take to protect them (and yourself) from an infestation include:

Discouraging your child from sharing clothes or close personal space with someone who may have head lice
Regularly combing your child’s hair and encouraging them to practice this habit on their own
Stocking up on lice removal kits, shampoos, creams, lotions, and medications

If you notice signs of a head lice infestation in your child, yourself, or another person in your household (and if non-prescription products aren’t helping enough), you can also visit a doctor for treatment. A doctor can prescribe specialized shampoos, lotions, and other products that aren’t available over-the-counter, as well as oral and topical medications.

You can receive treatment for head lice from a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Back-To-School Health Tips

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Both the new school year and flu season are approaching, and with other viral illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 continuing to spread, it’s important to prepare your child with effective habits and strategies for staying healthy. Follow these tips to keep them (and the rest of your family) disease-free this fall:

Get your child vaccinated: Many schools require students to receive the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for their age group. This is a simple, effective method for boosting your child’s natural protection against some of the most common diseases they are likely to be exposed to at school.

Emphasize good hand-washing habits: Your child can come into contact with many different types of germs, bacteria, and viruses while they’re at school or traveling to or from home. Some of these substances, such as cold germs, can live for up to 24 hours on hard surfaces and up to an hour on hands; others, such as the flu, can last much longer, living on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. Regular, thorough hand-washing is essential for minimizing your child’s contact with these germs and reducing their likelihood of becoming infected.

Take your child to a doctor if they feel sick: If your child starts to feel ill, you can reduce the amount of time they spend feeling sick (and, potentially, the amount of school days they may have to miss) by taking them to a doctor right away. A doctor can prescribe certain medications, such as antivirals or antibiotics (depending on whether your child has a virus or bacterial infection), and recommend other medications and treatments for relieving their symptoms effectively.

If your child has an infection, you can receive specialized treatment at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists. To schedule an appointment or for more information about the office, please call (718) 704-5020.