This Month's Newsletter
Happy New Year! We hope it is off to a great start!
In this month's newsletter, we remind you that we continue to offer the Covid-19 vaccine for ages 5-11. We also share the state-level statistics on Covid-19 for children. We discuss the importance of your child's alone time with your pediatrician. Further, we bring attention to National Oatmeal Month! Finally, we continue to include information on our office hours and procedures, services we offer and complimentary new mom and baby classes.
The Pediatric Center is here for all of your urgent medical needs, even when the office is closed. There is always someone available from our practice. All you have to do is call: 908-508-0400.
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
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TPC Continues to Book Appointments |
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We continue to book 5-11 year old patients for the Covid vaccine. When you call to schedule a vaccine, we will put you on the list and call you back with your specific time and day.
Booster shots are coming soon. We will be announcing details in the near future. Stay tuned.
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State Level Covid-19 Status Among Children |
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An excerpt from the AAP and Children's Hospital Association:
State-level reports are the best publicly available and timely data on child COVID-19 cases in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association are collaborating to collect and share all publicly available data from states on child COVID-19 cases.
COVID-19 cases among US children have reached the highest case count ever reported since the start of the pandemic. For the week ending December 30th, over 325,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported. This number is a 64% increase over the 199,000 added cases reported the week ending December 23rd and an almost doubling of case counts from the two weeks prior.
Nearly 7.9 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, representing over 1 in 10 US children. For the 21st week in a row child COVID-19 cases are above 100,000. Since the first week of September, there have been over 2.8 million additional child cases.
The age distribution of reported COVID-19 cases was provided on the health department websites of 49 states, New York City, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Since the pandemic began, children represented 17.4% of total cumulated cases. For the week ending December 30, children were 17.7% of reported weekly COVID-19 cases (children, under age 18, make up 22.2% of the US population).
The available data indicate that COVID-19-associated hospitalization and death is uncommon in children.
At this time, it appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is uncommon among children. However, there is an urgent need to collect more data to assess the severity of illness related to new variants as well as the longer-term impacts of the pandemic on children, including ways the virus may harm the long-term physical health of infected children, as well as its emotional and mental health effects.
Summary of Findings (as of 12/30/21)
Cumulative Number of Child COVID-19 Cases*
7,890,756 total child COVID-19 cases reported
- Children represented 17.4% (7,890,756/45,294,534) of all cases
- Overall rate: 10,484 cases per 100,000 children in the population
Change in Child COVID-19 Cases*
325,340 child COVID-19 cases were reported the past week from 12/23/21-12/30/
- Children represented 17.7% (325,340/1,837,910) of the weekly reported cases
- Over two weeks, 12/16/21-12/30/21, there was a 7% increase in the cumulated number of child COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic (523,891 cases added)
Cumulative Hospitalizations (24 states and NYC reported)*
- Among states reporting, children ranged from 1.7%-4.1% of their total cumulated hospitalizations
- 0.1%-1.6% of all their child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization
Cumulative Mortality (46 states, NYC, PR and GU reported)*
- Among states reporting, children were 0.00%-0.27% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 5 states reported zero child deaths
- In states reporting, 0.00%-0.02% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in death
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Alone Time With Your Pediatrician |
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Typically, a pediatric examination starts with the parent and child together while the doctor asks typical questions about medical history, any new issues, medications taken, eating behavior and how things are with family, friends, and school. This part of the visit is directed primarily to the parent, though the adolescent is always able to chime in as necessary.
Often a pediatrician will ask to spend some time alone with the child to give them an opportunity to share additional information when the parent is not listening.
As you child starts to get older and more mature, it’s important for them to start advocating for their own health care and to get comfortable interacting with their pediatrician. At age 18, as a legal adult a child can go to an appointment without a parent and, although not typical, can even deny a parent access to their records. The sooner a teenager gets comfortable asking and answering questions, the easier the transition.
Why is one-on-one time important?
The pediatrician has built a relationship with you and your budding adolescent, sometimes over the entire course of your adolescent's lifetime. All patient-doctor relationships are built on mutual trust and respect. The goals of the pediatric health care relationship include guiding and protecting the health and well-being of your adolescent, but also preparing your adolescent for navigating an adult health care experience and confidently and independently joining the adult health care world and life in general.
It is a big step and parents typically have questions. We address some of them here:
"Is it that time already?"
The answer is…not really. The goal is to begin to forge a more adultlike relationship with your child before adolescence is in full swing. When you consider that one goal of parenthood is to prepare children to become adept and independent, teens need to begin to embrace and accept responsibility including their own health care. Beginning early allows the transition to happen gradually.
"I don't think my child will like that."
When parents say this, it is often a good sign that this is the very thing the child needs most. Children need to develop an ability to think independently, behave responsibly, relate to adults, and carry on a conversation with an adult.
“Why is this helpful?”
Adolescents are naturally more open about certain topics when parents are not listening because they might not want to disappoint or alarm their parents even if all they have are questions. Sometimes, an adolescent might have a very stressful and serious situation in his or her life that needs to be addressed and requires privacy and confidentiality. This guaranteed alone time with the pediatrician will allow and reassure the adolescent that there will always be an opportunity to discuss very pressing matters.
"Will you be sharing this private and important information with me?"
Not always. Although the actual law governing a minor's rights to confidentiality can be vague and vary from state to state, pediatricians respect a child's right to privacy and will protect it, except in the circumstance in which an adolescent discloses that he or she is being hurt or is looking to hurt himself, herself, or others. Legislation has expanded the rights of minors to make health care decisions for themselves.
However, a minor does not have unrestricted access to health care. The mature minor doctrine gives physicians some general guidelines for when they may provide medical treatment based on an adolescent's consent. (States vary on whether this is adopted as doctrine, but courts recognize the principle.)
If an adolescent is in trouble, pediatricians will do the following:
- Assess the medical and emotional needs of the adolescent
- Make recommendations on how to include the parent
- Respect the wishes of the adolescent if the pediatrician feels there is cause to believe that the adolescent's rights to health care supersede the parent's right to know and the adolescent has sufficient maturity to support that decision
Pediatricians have been trained to recognize signs and symptoms of illness and disease, as well as signs of mental illness and dysfunction. They understand growth and development and the application of this to a child's and teen's health. They are advocates for children's and teens' well-being in every sense of the word. They are in a unique position to partner with your child concerning his or her health. This is the time in children's development that forming a separate bond with their doctor can be of benefit to them. With your support, your child can be gently pushed to move in that direction.
Source: HealthyChildren.org
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What a great time to talk about oats! January is National Oatmeal Month.
Oats are an incredibly nutritious food packed with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
They are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Compared to other grains, hey are high in fiber and protein and contain the soluble fiber beta-glucan and antioxidants called avenanthramides.
Benefits of oatmeal
- Very nutritious - half a cup includes manganese (191%), Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Folate, Vitmains B1 and B5
- Great source of protein (13 grams per half cup)
- Keeps you fuller, longer with high levels of fiber (8 grams per half cup)
- Lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels
- May decrease risk of childhood asthma
- Gluten free if following a gluten-free diet
Try to source only organic oats and rinse them thoroughly (or soak them overnight) before preparing to remove the phytic acid and improve digestion.
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Please note our new office hours.
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Thank you.
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Covid-19 Office Procedures |
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Our strict CDC guidelines continue. Our office is sanitized and treated before each appointment. We continue the following protocols:
- Phone screening prior to a visit
- No patients in the waiting rooms
- Scheduled appointments only
- Patient clearance prior to entering the office
- Car visits, when needed
- Virtual telemedicine, if requested
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Please continue to limit your visit to one parent only for all patients over 2 years of age, wear a face mask while in the office and maintain social distancing. Please do not make an appointment or come to the office if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. |
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In-House Covid-19 Testing & Guidelines
The Pediatric Center continues to offer Covid-19 testing for all patients and their families.
Do you need a test to travel, return to school or any other reason?
The Pediatric Center offers testing with an instant
20- minute Rapid test and PCR test results within 48 hours.
Please visit our Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about the types of tests, what to do if you are exposed to Covid-19 and isolation and quarantine guidelines.
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On-Site Lactation Support Center
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you to support breastfeeding your child. We offer complimentary lactation consultations and are now offering virtual visits.
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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Patient Portal
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?
The Pediatric Center works with a wide network of doctors we can refer to a pediatric specialist if you need one.
As part of our practice, 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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Online Bill Pay
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,
Office: 908-508-0400 / Billing Department: 786-249-1234
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ImPACT Concussion Testing
The Pediatric Center offers on-site ImPact concussion testing. ImPACT, an FDA cleared tool for baseline and post-injury testing, measures visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient (ages 12-59) can safely return to activity.
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Vaccine Education Center
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. We also offer the Gardasil vaccine.
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Find More Topics On Our Blog |
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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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We Love Your Feedback!
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners. You can write and post a review right on our website or on our Facebook page. Thank you for your kind words!
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Free Virtual Prenatal Class
Join our free, virtual prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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For Parents
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
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Lactation Support
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you for breastfeeding guidance.
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Follow Us On Facebook!
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 button 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
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