 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Spring officially arrived on March 20th! The weather is getting warmer, the trees and flowers are starting to bud and a new energy is filling the longer, brighter days.
In this month's newsletter, we provide a new voting link for 2019 Kids' Favorite Doc. As always, we appreciate your support! We also discuss scoliosis and screenings that are happening in schools and during your child's well visit exam. We recognize Brain Injury Awareness month with information on concussions and pre-concussion baseline testing in the convenience of our office. Finally, we include details on the popular activity of youth vaping and the dangers associated with e-cigarettes.
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at
pedcenter.com@gmail.com
with ideas only, please no medical requests.
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review.
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
|
It's that time again - time to vote for your Favorite Kids Doc.
As always, we appreciate your support.
|
You may have received notification from your schools that they will be administering a  screening of your child for Scoliosis. These screenings have been conducted for decades - in schools and during well-visits with your doctor.
There are three main classifications of spine curvature disorders:
- Lordosis - or swayback, is when a person's spine curves significantly inward toward the lower back.
- Kyphosis is visual by an abnormally rounded upper back (more than 50 degrees of curvature).
- Scoliosis - the most commonly known as isidiopathic scoliosis, when the spine curves sideways.
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. The cause of most scoliosis is unknown. Some symptoms related to scoliosis include:
- one shoulder blade that is higher than the other or sticks out more than the other
- uneven hips
- a rotating spine
You can not cause scoliosis by behaviors such as carrying heavy articles or bags - scoliosis is hereditary and passed on through genes.
A small amount of curvature of the spine is typically nothing to worry about if there is no progression throughout the years.
Typically, health care providers measure scoliosis in the degree of the curve of the spine:
- A mild curve is less than 20 degrees.
- A moderate curve is between 25 degrees and 40 degrees.
- A severe curve is more than 50 degrees.
Very large curves are cause for concern as they can damage the joints and cause arthritis of the spine. Large curves can make the ribs rub against the pelvis, causing pain or affect the lungs.
If your healthcare provider or school suspects an indication of scoliosis, they may refer you to a pediatric orthopedic specialist.
Source: KidsHealth.org
|
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, established three decades ago to educate the
 public about brain injury occurrences and how to cope with brain injuries.
This is a good reminder, with Spring sports activities starting in full force.
Most brain injuries are caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. There are two types of brain injuries:
- Traumatic - TBIs: usually occur in recreational and sports activities, motor vehicle accidents, falls or extreme external forces
- Non-Traumatic injuries do not involve a traumatic event. They can be a result of disease, poisoning, hereditary condition, lack of oxygen, stroke or other internal medical condition
Brain injuries may affect short term and long term cognitive function including thinking, sensations, language or emotion.
According to a report in CDC's MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) this year, "during 2010-2016, nearly 2 million children had a TBI-related emergency department visit because of sports and recreation-related activities. TBIs associated with football, bicycling, playground activities, basketball, and soccer contributed to the majority of these visits."
This month is meant to bring awareness to tactics used to avoid brain injuries to reduce pediatric TBIs and sub-sequential injuries, which require additional attention. Learning the signs of a concussion and when to seek medical attention can mean the difference between a mild and a severe injury.
According to the Department of Defense, one of the keys to recognizing a concussion and getting treatment early is identifying these symptoms:
- H - headaches or vomiting
- E - ears ringing
- A - amnesia, altered consciousness or loss of consciousness
- D - double vision and/or dizziness
- S - something is wrong, or not quite right
The Pediatric Center has partnered with ImPact testing as a licensed facility.
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) is the most widely used computerized neurocognitive test to help physicians evaluate and manage suspected concussions. The test offers pre-concussion baseline testing and post-concussion testing:
Baseline Test - Administered before the start of a sport season, school year, or other activity. Baseline scores are collected and stored. It is highly recommended to get a baseline test for your child to gauge the impact if there is a future injury.
Post-Injury Test - Administered when a concussion is suspected. Test results are compared to baseline scores and/or normative data scores as part of our assessment of the injury. Multiple post-injury tests may be given to an individual during the course of treatment and rehabilitation.
It's important to ensure your child wears the recommended safety and protection equipment when participating in activities.
Source: CDC, Centers for Disease Control; National Day Calendar
|
Vaping, or using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is running rampant with today's youth. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among children.
The following article from the
American Academy of Pediatrics shares some important information on this dangerous trend:
The 2016 US Surgeon General's Report on e-cigarette use among youth and young adults concluded they are unsafe for children and adolescents. Furthermore, strong and consistent evidence finds that children and adolescents who use e-cigarettes are significantly more likely to go on to use traditional cigarettes-a product that kills half its long-term users.
E-cigarette manufacturers target children with enticing candy and fruit flavors and use marketing strategies that have been previously successful with traditional cigarettes to attract youth to these products.
Numerous toxins and carcinogens have been found in e-cigarette solutions. Non-users are involuntarily exposed to the emissions of these devices with secondhand and third-hand aerosol.
To prevent children, adolescents, and young adults from transitioning from e-cigarettes to traditional cigarettes and minimize the potential public health harm from e-cigarette use, there is a critical need for e-cigarette regulation, legislative action, and counter-promotion to protect youth.
Please inform your child(ren) about the dangers of this toxic product and to avoid them at all costs.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
|
| On-Site Lactation Support Center |
The Pediatric Center's on-site Lactation Support Center led by our own Director of Lactation Support, Clare Cardo McKegney, DNP, APN, CPNP, is here to support you in breastfeeding your child. Dr. McKegney is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified breastfeeding counselor with over 18 years of advanced practice in pediatrics.
Our modern and private on-site lactation suite provides a warm and relaxed environment for the mother and infant to enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
|
| Find More Topics On Our Blog |
The Pediatric Center's blog is an invaluable resource for pediatric and parenting topics. The blog is right on
our website
. It includes topics such as "12 Super Foods for Lactation Aid", "Best Winter Skincare Tips" and so much more.
|
The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access
to your family's
medical records.
You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
|
| Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist? |
If you are in search of a pediatric specialist, please know we are here to guide you.
We have a wide network of doctors we can refer to ensure you are in good hands.
We specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues.
You are not alone.
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians:
908-508-0400.
|
| The Pediatric Center Online Bill Pay |
|
Online Bill Payment
The Pediatric Center offers the ease and convenience of online bill
 payment.
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department, HealthCare Billing, Inc:
Toll Free: 877-852-9092 or
Local: 908-237-9092
|
|
Did you know our website includes a Vaccine Education Center where you can find the immunization schedule for your child?
Reminder - we offer all students going to college the Meningococcal B vaccine. This vaccine is covered by insurance. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. Please also discuss the new Gardasil vaccine with your practitioner.
View all the details here.
|
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners.
Did you know you can write and post a review right on our website? Click here.
You can use this page to provide feedback, kudos, or just share thoughts.
Thank you for your kind words!
|
 |
|
Free Prenatal Class
We offer a free prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
|
|
|
|
|
It's A Partnership
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
Click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read Our Blog!
Check out our blog to read about news and current events. Topics are relevant to our practice and patients.
Click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements  on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
Simply like us by clicking on the icon to the right!
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
|
The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
www.PedCenter.com
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
