Kids Come First - Tip of the Week
Tune into WBAL AM 1090 every Thursday morning at 7:57 a.m.
Each week, a representative from Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital will offer a health tip for children. Topics covered on the program are listed below, along with links to other Web sites' on the Internet that have relative information. For more information about any of the topics, or to schedule an appointment, please call 410-367-2222.
NOTE: The Web site links provided by Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital is neither a direct or implied endorsement of that organization, their mission or whatever recommendations, suggestions or courses of action they may suggest. These links are offered strictly as an avenue to obtain additional information on certain topics
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Antidepressants
Recently, warnings have been issued regarding the risks of children taking antidepressants. This warning does not mean that medications should not be used in children.
The food and drug administration has approved only prozac to alleviate pediatric depression and warns doctors to use great caution in prescribing other antidepressants, other than prozac, to patients under 18.
Parents and Physicians need to look for symptoms of agitation, anxiety and hostility that may signal trouble in the young patients who may be usually vulnerable to currently prescribed medications. In most cases, the medication being prescribed today are an effective and safe method of treating depression.
If you have concerns about your child's medications, please contact your pediatrician.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A leading cause of poor school performance is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Fortunately, many children can be effectively treated for ADHD. Children who are impulsive, hyperactive, lack focus or have poor organizational skills may have this condition.
The seriousness of these signs is determined by the age of the child. However, other conditions may mirror ADHD. Discussing their behavioral patterns with your child's school and pediatrician is the best way to determine if there is a problem. If you have concerns, speak to your pediatrician about a referral to a developmental pediatrician or neuropsychologist for an evaluation.
For more information, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at: 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
- ADD Helpline
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Burn Prevention
Burns are recognized among the most painful and devastating injuries for children. Younger children, age 4 and under, have thinner skin. Therefore, their skin is more susceptible. The most common burn injury in toddlers is from scalding.
As with all child safety related issues, most burn injuries can be prevented. Here are some safety steps you can take:
- Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees to prevent scalding burns.
- Never leave your child alone in the bathroom or kitchen.
- Do not allow your child near stoves, hot oven doors, heaters or other appliances - especially curling irons.
- When cooking, use the back burners and turn pot handles inward
- Use covers on electrical outlets
- Do not use portable heaters.
- D not allow your children to play with matches or fireworks.
If a serious burn injury occurs, cool the burn with cold water. Cover the burn with a sterile pad and go to the nearest emergency medical facility.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Child Safety Seats
Using a child safety seat correctly can greatly reduce the risk of injury. It's estimated that 85 percent of older children are improperly restrained in cars.
The best protection is provided when following these rules:
- Infants should be in the back seat, rear-facing until they are 1 year and weigh at least 20 pounds.
- Toddlers, 1 year and between 20 to 40 pounds, should use an upright, forward-facing child seat.
- After 40 pounds, it's time for a booster seat using your car's lap and shoulder belts.
- School-age children should remain in booster seats for as long as possible.
- Keep the safety seat instructions to use as your child grows.
- Remember, the back seat is always the safest place for children.
For more information on correctly using a safety seat or booster seat, or to find a safety seat check near you, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at: 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Child Safety Tips
Child safety should be an important part of every household. Establishing safety rules early is the first step to avoiding injury. Taking a few minutes to talk to your child about safety issues will create an environment to minimize hazards.
Basic safety tips include:
- Wear a helmet when bicycling, skating and scootering
- Store household toxins, pesticides and cleaning solutions out of reach of children
- Keep firearms locked, unloaded and away from children
- Teach your child that matches and lighters are not toys
- Teach your child to dial 911 during an emergency and practice learning their address and phone number
Remember, talking to you child about safety now is the best protection for their future. For more information, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at: 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Depression
Childhood depression is a very real problem and not a sign of weakness. Clinical depression is a disease, which left untreated, can have severe and lasting implications continuing to adulthood. Fortunately, there is good news. Depression is a treatable illness.
Warning signs that a child is struggling with depression may include:
- lack of interest in play
- frequent irritability, crying
- lack of social interaction or withdrawal
- boredom, low energy and poor concentration
- sudden drop in school performance
- excessive concern with failure
- reckless behavior, including thoughts of suicide or self destructive behavior
If you think your child is at risk or exhibits these symptoms, talk to your pediatrician. For more information, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Germs
Keeping healthy this winter means avoiding colds and the flu. It is estimated that 80 percent of disease-causing germs are passed by human contact. Here are some tips to keep the whole family healthy this season:
- The single most important method of prevention is to wash your hands regularly and completely. That means, 20 seconds with regular soap and warm to hot water.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. Most of us tend to do this more than 20 times a day.
- Take good care of yourself. Get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet to include fruits and vegetables to keep your defenses up.
- Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizers when hand-washing is not available.
Staying healthy doesn't require a degree in Microbiology, just a little knowledge, thought and common sense.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Healthy Sleeping Habits In Children
If your child is not getting enough sleep it will affect their learning ability and behavior. Even if your child is getting 8 - 10 hours of sleep, it may not be the quality sleep they need.
Things to look for are:
- Snoring
- Unprovoked irritability or hyperactivity
- Change in behavioral patterns
- Waking up during the night
- Mouth breathing during the day
These could be signs of sleep apnea, which can deprive your child of quality sleep and my disrupt their school and home life. If these signs appear, inform you pediatrician.
For more information, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at: 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Obesity
Childhood obesity is now an epidemic in the United States. Currently, one child in five is overweight. Obese children and adolescents have an alarming incidence of diabetes and are at risk to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Equally devastating is the teasing and social discrimination.
The main culprit of obesity is eating too much and too little exercise. Here are some helpful tips:
- be supportive and sensitive
- reduce the amount of TV watching and video game playing
- be a good role model
- if you child sees you eat fruit instead of candy, or go for a walk, they may join you
- plan family activities that involve exercise
- don't use food as a reward or punishment
- keep healthy snacks on-hand
If you think your child is overweight, talk to your pediatrician.For more information, call Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital at: 410-367-2222.
Additional resources on the Internet:
Playground Safety
Playgrounds can provide children with fresh air and exercise, but they can also pose some serious safety hazards. Faulty equipment and careless behavior are dangers that cause injury.
You can keep the playground fun and enjoyable by following some simple safety guidelines:
- Surfaces around equipment should be filled with at least 12 inches of loose fill, such as wood chips.
- Stationary equipment should have at least a 6 foot clearance in all directions.
- Check for sharp edges and dangerous hardware, like open "S" hooks or protruding bolts.
- Make sure your child plays on age-appropriate equipment.
- Remove hoods or drawstrings that can get caught on equipment.
- Always supervise children with they play.
Remember, taking these precautions will make sure that the playground remains fun.
Additional resources on the Internet: