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This week, as Thanksgiving draws close, we reflect on how grateful we are to be your pediatrician of choice. We are very committed to your health care and grately value our long-term relationships with our patients. We wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving.
In this month's newsletter, we provide our holiday office hours for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also remind you our offices are accessible 7 days a week and encourage you to call us first, before going to an urgent care or independent provider. In recognition of diabetes awareness month, we discuss the different types of diabetes and methods of treatment. We also present an article on winter skin for your child and how to treat it. Finally, if you still need a flu shot for this season, please call the office.
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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The Pediatric Center is available to take care of your child 7 days a week, even during holidays. When your child is ill, or has a health concern or injury that is not an emergency, we encourage you to call our office first, even if it's after-hours. We will help you determine the best cause of action for your child and if needed, get you in for an appointment with one of our practitioners as soon as possible. We are very different from many pediatrician offices - rather than using a separate, unaffiliated health provider we are your after-hours resource.
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Diabetes in children is a very serious metabolic disorder that prevents the normal breakdown and use of food, especially sugars (carbohydrates) by the body. It can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and neurological system and can cause a progressive loss of vision over many years.
Types of Diabetes
The two most common forms are called
type 1 and
type 2 diabetes. They both can occur at any age - however type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in children, is an insulin dependent disease while type 2 diabetes gravitates more toward environmental.
Type 1 diabetes
is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin-which allows the body to get energy from food. When that happens, the body is unable to properly metabolize sugars, which build up in the bloodstream; these sugars (also called glucose) cannot be used by the body and are excreted in the urine.
It strikes suddenly-and it's not related to lifestyle or diet.
There are typically peak periods of diagnosis - at about ages five to six and then again at ages eleven to thirteen. The first sign is often an increase in the frequency and amount of urination. This is often most notable at night, including recurrence of
bedwetting in children who are potty-trained. However, there are other important symptoms that must be present for the diagnosis of diabetes including:
- Feeling thirsty and tired
- Changes in vision
- Fruity smelling breath
- Weight loss
- Increase in appetite
Identifying these symptoms early will help avoid illness due to high blood sugar and dehydration
.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes tends to be related to lifestyle and diet.
In children with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin to break down sugars in the blood and the cells don't use the insulin very well.
Managing Diabetes
Although there is no cure for diabetes, children with this disease can lead a nearly normal childhood and adolescence if their disorder is kept under control. It can involve routine blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections and regulation of a healthy diet and exercise.
Parent Guidance
If you child is diagnosed with diabetes, you can help them become gradually independent by managing and taking care of their diabetes. Many children over 7 are capable of giving themselves insulin injections and regularly check their blood sugar levels with adult supervision. Some important reminders:
- If your child takes too much insulin, their blood sugar can become too low (hypoglycemia), prompting symptoms, including trembling, a rapid heartbeat, nausea, fatigue, weakness, and even loss of consciousness.
- If your child takes too little insulin, the major symptoms of diabetes (weight loss, increased urination, thirst, and appetite), can return.
Developing good diabetes management habits when a child is young can have a dramatic impact on their management habits as they get older. If you'd like to learn more, or have concerns about your child, please speak to one of our practitioners.
Source: AAP; HealthyChildren.org; jdrf.org
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The cold weather is upon us and you may start noticing a change in your baby's skin. Their skin is very delicate, so it requires special care. Exposure to chemicals, unnatural fibers or the weather's elements can make your child's skin rough, red or chapped.
Baby skin care in winter requires a little extra attention. It's important to avoid certain conditions and products which might irritate your little one.
Following are 10 tips for maintaining your child's smooth, soft skin in the colder months:
1. Swaddle with Warm Clothes
Babies have not learned to properly regulate their own
body temperatures yet, so it's important to make sure they do not get too hot or too cold in the winter. Dressing baby in layers will allow you to add or subtract clothes as necessary. Even in chilly climates, babies can still get heat rash if they are too heavily swaddled. Heat rash leads to diaper rash, and irritation around the folds of your child's skin. That can lead to crankiness and sleepless nights, which are no fun for anyone.
2. Protect Their Lips
Babies are always drooling. In the cold weather, this can cause their noses and lips to get chapped and raw. Gently rub some coconut oil onto your child's mouth before taking him out into the cold.
3. Avoid
Over-bathing
Babies' skin is prone to getting dried out, and frequent bathing can exacerbate dryness. The best approach to baby skin care in winter is to keep clean with gentle sponge baths and wipe downs with damp washcloths. It's OK to bath once day, but make sure the water is only warm, not too hot. Avoid any products with perfumes or other additives. Warm water and baby shampoo are all you need to keep her clean and soft.
Read on for the remaining 7 tips...
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| 2019-2020 Flu Shot Schedule |
Reminder - The Pediatric Center is still
offering the flu vaccine.
Please call the office
if you would like to schedule.
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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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