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We hope you are enjoying these Summer months as we roll into August.
In this month's newsletter we recognize World Breastfeeding Week and the support felt around the world. We also provide an article on recognizing anxiety and depression in children and how The Pediatric Center can help offer guidance. In addition, we alert patients to an important recall on Pepperidge Farm foods - if you have them in your home, the FDA recommends you throw them out. Finally, we highlight the fruit of the month - blueberries! and all of the amazing health benefits they offer.
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
[email protected]
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
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August 1-7 2018
As we enjoy the last week of July, The Pediatric Center joins the multiple partners of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding to support our breastfeeding mothers and families.
During the week of August 1-7, the
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network of individuals and organizations concerned with the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide, recognizes the efforts of breastfeeding mothers and families and the positive impact it has on a baby's development and growth.
This year's campaign highlights the need to inform, anchor, engage and galvanize. Joining forces to promote and protect the support of breastfeeding around the world brings awareness and support for all.
This year's campaign includes a silhouette holding the mother and baby, depicting the importance of supporting the mother's choice.
At The Pediatric Center we recognize all of our mothers who have made the effort to breastfeed their infant (regardless of the duration) and applaud the families. Support from families and the community is so important to a successful, sometimes challenging, breastfeeding experience.
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| How To Recognize Anxiety and Depression |
Many children have fears and worries that may  appear at different times in development.
Toddler's worries can stem from separation anxiety from their parents, social anxieties and even fear of the unknown. Although fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression, often referred to as internalizing disorders.
Anxiety
When a child's fears and concerns are consistent and start to interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can include:
- Separation anxiety from parents
- Phobias - extreme fear about a specific thing or situation, such as dogs, insects, or going to the doctor
- Social anxiety - fear of school and other places with people
- General anxiety - worry about the future and bad things happening
- Panic disorders - repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear that come with symptoms like heart pounding, having trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty
Anxiety may present as fear or worry, but can also make children irritable and angry. Anxiety symptoms can also include trouble sleeping or physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. Some symptoms can be missed as children can often internalize their worries.
Depression
Occasional sadness or hopelessness is normal. The concern becomes when children feel sad or uninterested in things that they used to enjoy, or feel helpless or hopeless in situations under their control. When a child feels persistent sadness and hopelessness, they may be diagnosed with depression.
Depression behaviors include:
- Often feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable
- Not wanting to do or enjoy doing fun things
- Changes in eating patterns - eating a lot more or a lot less than usual
- Changes in sleep patterns - sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal
- Changes in energy - being tired and sluggish or tense and restless a lot of the time
- Having a hard time paying attention
- Feeling worthless, useless, or guilty
- Self-injury and self-destructive behavior
Extreme depression can lead a child to think about suicide or plan for suicide. For youth ages 10-24 years, suicide is the leading form of death.
Some children may not talk about helpless and hopeless thoughts, and they may not appear sad. Depression might also cause a child act disruptive to deflect their depression into being labeled as a trouble-maker or lazy.
Treatment
Consultation with a health provider can help determine if medication should be part of the treatment. Partnering with a mental health professional can develop a therapy plan that works best for the child and family. Behavior therapy includes child therapy, family therapy, or a combination of both. The school can also be included in the treatment plan.
For very young children, involving parents in treatment is key.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one form of therapy that helps a child change negative thoughts into more positive, effective ways of thinking, leading to more effective behavior.
Managing Symptoms: Staying Healthy
In addition to getting the right treatment, leading a healthy lifestyle can play a role in managing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Some healthy behaviors include:
Prevention of anxiety and depression
It is not known exactly why some children develop anxiety or depression. Many factors may play a role, including biology and temperament. Some children develop anxiety or depression when they experience trauma or stress, when they are maltreated, when they are bullied or rejected by other children, or when their own parents have anxiety or depression.
The Pediatric Center offers full wellness exams and can help diagnose anxiety and depression. We partner with the parent and child and offer a safe and trusted environment. If you have any concerns for your child, please make an appointment with our office today. The sooner anxiety and depression is recognized, the more successful the treatment plan.
Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
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A public statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb explained that Associated Milk Producers Inc. supplied the possibly tainted whey powder that may have been used in 16 varieties of Ritz crackers, four kinds of Goldfish crackers, and Swiss rolls distributed under the Baker's Treat, Mrs. Freshley's, Market Square, and Great Value brands.
The agency's statement stressed that no illnesses had been reported and that the recalls were initiated "out of an abundance of caution." But the statement also indicates that the agency is working to identify other manufacturers who may have received suspect whey powder from Associated Milk Producers. "As there are likely other food products made by other manufacturers that also use this common ingredient, there may be other recalls initiated in the coming days," the statement reads.
The best way to avoid contamination is to throw out any products that are subject to a recall or return them to their point of purchase. If you had stored these products in a seperate container, wash them thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap.
Salmonella poisoning can cause diarrhea, fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Most people recover in four to seven days without medical treatment, but young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe reactions that could result in death. Salmonella is just one of the
seven ways that a restaurant can make you sick.
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For decades, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) had worked with the US Department
 of Agriculture to achieve a proclamation for the month of July as "National Blueberry Month" in the US and finally achieved success in July,
2003.
The fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and phytonutrient content in blueberries supports heart health while the fiber content helps to reduce the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Blueberries are a good source of vitamin K, C and B6. The phytonutrient content in blueberries support heart health while the fiber helps reduce cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease. They also contain manganese and other antioxidants (notably anthocyanins). Valued for its high levels of antioxidants, some nutritionists believe that if you make only one change to your diet, it should be to add blueberries.
Stock up and enjoy!
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| 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.
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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.
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| 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.
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| The Pediatric Center Online Bill Pay |
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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
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| Did you know our website includes a Vaccine Education Center where you can find the immunization schedule for your child? Reminder - we are offering the new meningitis vaccine Trumenba in our office. Insurance companies have started to cover this vaccine. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. 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!
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Free Prenatal Class
We offer a free prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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It's A Partnership
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
Click here.
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Read Our Blog!
Check out our blog to read about news and current events. Topics are relevant to our practice and patients.
Click here.
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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".
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The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
www.PedCenter.com
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