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Friday, June 21st, marked the official first day of Summer! Schools are out and the fun now begins!
In this month's newsletter, we share a recent article on the epidemic of measles and the risk of not being able to eliminate the disease. We also share a more recent protocol on concussion recovery and treatment - and how to proactively prepare for a concussion with baseline testing. Finally, we offer information on breastfeeding your baby, with a video from Dr. Moskowitz.
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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| Measles - Hard To Eliminate |
According to a recent article in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said measles cases rose to 971 in just five months, threatening disease elimination.
The article states,
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If the trend continues, CDC officials said it could threaten the status of measles as a disease that has been eliminated.
'Measles is preventable, and the way to end this outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults who can get vaccinated, do get vaccinated,' CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D., said in a news release. 'Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, they do not cause autism. The greater danger is the disease that vaccination prevents. Your decision to vaccinate will protect your family's health and your community's well-being. CDC will continue working with public health responders across our nation to bring this outbreak to an end.'
About 90% of this year's cases were un-vaccinated. Measles was declared eliminated in 2000, and cases haven't been this high since 1992 when they topped 2,100.
Cases have been reported in 26 states this year, and outbreaks are ongoing.
The CDC and the Academy recommend children receive the first routine dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years. One dose of MMR is about 93% effective, and two doses are about 97% effective.
If children are traveling abroad, infants ages 6 months through 11 months should have one dose of MMR, and children 12 months and older should receive two doses at least 28 days apart, according to the CDC. In certain outbreak settings, health departments may recommend vaccinating 6- to 11-month-olds living in or traveling to the area. They also may recommend a second dose at least 28 days from the first for children ages 1 through 4 years.
Measles has
symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a rash. It can result in complications like pneumonia, brain damage and deafness and can be fatal. This year, about 9% of people with measles have been hospitalized. Please protect your children and your family.
Source: AAP
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| Safe to Exercise After A Concussion? |
Studies suggest that light exercise after a concussion can actually aid in faster healing and return to normal activities vs. the original protocol of strict physical rest - which may actually prolong symptoms.
According to UptoDate.com, in a randomized trial of over 100 adolescents with a sport-related concussion, daily aerobic exercise (eg, stationary bicycle or treadmill) for up to 20 minutes, with duration and intensity adjusted to avoid worsening of symptoms and initiated within 10 days of the concussion, decreased the time to recovery compared with gentle stretching (median recovery time 13 versus 17 days)."
Light exercise is considered a very low-impact, systematic method of movement. A child should not return to normal physical activity until they are completely symptom free and completed the recommended multi-step return to sports/activity progression. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have return-to-play laws for athletes.
It is also recommended that children return to school within a few days after a concussion, even if they have symptoms, with adjustments to their curriculum and environment. Keeping an athlete out of school for an extended amount of time can cause additional stress and anxiety, which can hinder the healing process of a concussion.
The Pediatric Center is one of the only pediatric offices in the area to offer on-site
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) testing - the most widely used computerized neuro-cognitive test to help physicians evaluate and manage suspected concussions.
ImPACT Comes in Two Forms:
Baseline Test - Administered before the start of a sport season, school year, or other activity. Baseline scores are collected and stored.
It's beneficial to get a base-line test in the event a concussion or head injury happens, there is a better gauge of the damage.
Post-Injury Test - Administered when a concussion is suspected. Test results are compared to baseline scores and/or normative data scores as part of the assessment of the injury.
We encourage you to make an appointment at The Pediatric Center for baseline testing.
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| Breastfeeding Your Infant |
While breastfeeding is a natural process and has many health & nutrition benefits in the first year of life, it is new for both mother and baby and many need help learning the process and understanding all of the advantages.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' policy on breastfeeding states that "breastfeeding insures the best possible health as well as the best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant".
The Dynamics of Breastfeeding
The breastfeeding process works on the principal of positive feedback. As an infant suckles at a mother's breast, a message is sent to the mother's brain that results in the production of a chemical that stimulates the production of milk. The ability for a mother to continuously produce milk depends upon this feedback cycle not being interrupted. Interruptions in the cycle can occur when the message to the mother's brain is disrupted by:
- An infant sleeping longer than 4 hours
- Poor suckling by the infant
- Bottle feeding
Advantages of Breast Milk & Breastfeeding
The important aspect of breastfeeding is that a mother's breast milk is intended exclusively for infants. Breast milk provides all the protein, sugar, fat and vitamins an infant requires, in addition to special and unique benefits that artificial formulas cannot match.
Breast milk is:
- Easily digestible
- Requires no preparation
- Continuously available and costs nothing
- Environmentally safe since it produces no waste
Breastfeeding is beneficial for:
- Stimulating the uterus return to its regular size more quickly
- A faster return to pre-pregnancy weight
- Creating a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer
- Stimulating the building of bone strength in mothers
- Enhanced infant and mother bonding and development
- Infant eye and jaw muscle development
Additionally, substances in human breast milk provide an infant with protective antibodies so that they are less likely to experience:
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis
- Meningitis
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Obesity
Dr. Moskowitz offers advice on breastfeeding in
this video.
The Pediatric Center offers an on-site Lactation Support Center (including a private breastfeeding and lactation suite), led by our own Director of Lactation Support, Clare Cardo McKegney, DNP, APN, CPNP.
To schedule your lactation consultation or make an appointment with one of our doctors at our office please call us at 908-508-0400.
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| On-Site Lactation Support Center |
T
he 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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| 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.
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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 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.
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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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