Pediatric Topics

Summer Time Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is usually pretty straight-forward.   For most newborns it is caused by yeast and easily treated with a prescription anti-fungal cream. As kids get older, and get their first case of the stomach flu (with lots of diarrhea), they often get a rash caused by the irritation from the diarrhea.  Often times, though, I see kids that have some sort of strange diaper rash and I am not exactly sure what it is.  When this happens I follow one very basic rule:  If it is wet, make it dry! [Read more...]

Measles Stats

Here is a link to some recent stats on measles in the US. Of all the vaccines that parents choose to decline or delay, this is almost certainly number one on the list. More, of all the vaccines given, this is also first on the list for fear-mongering by the media and conspiracy theorizing by rogue scientists. Smart Parents no doubt consider all the information when making health decisions for their children. This article is certainly one important source to consider when making those all important decisions. [Read more...]

You Decide: Is ZICAM safe or effective?

After my last post, I received an excellent comment regarding ZICAM® that I felt warranted a post of its own.  This comment demonstrates some of the misconceptions regarding “safety” and “efficacy” of products.  I glossed over some of the reasoning behind my statements in my last post, so to be fair, I will present the rest of the story.  At the end of the day though, whether ZICAM® provides a marginal benefit for treating the common cold or not, and whether it is safe or not is not my point.  My point is [Read more...]

ZICAM and Colds

ZICAM® would appear to be the latest casualty in the growing list of over-the-counter medications that have now been recalled.  ZICAM® has been marketed for the last several years as a “cure” for the common cold.  Just put this stuff up your nose at the first sign of a cold and you will either shorten the duration of the illness or prevent it altogether.  Sounds great, right?  But there is mounting evidence of a very serious side effect… [Read more...]

Dr. Bob’s Alternative Vaccine Schedule

Many parents have read The Vaccine Book, written by Dr. Sears, and have decided to use either his alternative or selective vaccine schedule.  For those who read this blog, you will note that I have recommended it as a useful book.  I think the book is well researched and gives parents a nice balance of the potential risks of vaccines and the actual risks of the diseases the vaccines are meant to prevent. [Read more...]

You Decide: Strep & Throat Abscess

If you discuss Strep throat long enough someone will eventually bring up the potential complication of a throat abscess.  The fancy medical name for this is peritonsillar abscess (or in the U.K. – Quincy).  Basically this is when you have a large collection of pus in one of your tonsils.  In the era of ready access to the ER, surgeons,  and antibiotics this is generally not a serious condition.  Left untreated though it can cause [Read more...]

Ask the Doctor: Steroids for Croup?

Michelle Asks:

I was wondering what you would suggest for treatment for croup. My son has had it twice this year and both times the doctor prescribed steroids. Is there any other treatment for croup? Thanks! [Read more...]

Understanding Acute Rheumatic Fever

This is by far the most feared complication of Strep throat.  Any discussion of Strep throat would be incomplete without a brief discussion about Acute Rheumatic Fever.  This complication is definitely something you DO NOT want your child to get.  It can be pretty nasty.  At best, it means [Read more...]

You Decide: What is a Strep Carrier?

Understanding what it means to be a Strep carrier is critical if you want to understand the management of sore throat.  It is especially critical for Smart Parents to understand so they can be vigilant to make sure their children are not needlessly exposed to antibiotics and their side-effects.  While most physicians are aware that some kids [Read more...]

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Newborn Topics

Ask the Doctor: Sleeping Through the Night

Jennifer Asks:

I’m a first time babywise parent and me and my daughter have pretty much relaxed into the routine. She is now two months and goes down for her naps with under 10 minutes of what I call “whiny crying” and often with only a minute or two of fussing. She is still on a 2.5 hour feeding schedule and sleeps 6-7 hours straight at night. When should I start extending time between feedings and what’s the best way to do it?

Babywise seems to imply that my baby should be sleeping 8-9 hours if I were doing it right but my daughter seems to be following the same schedule your son did… we’re almost through the night! [Read more...]

Babywise 101

There are many myths and facts surrounding this fairly controversial parenting style.  On the whole, many pediatricians frown at the idea of using the parent-directed feeding approach described in Babywise.  However, when I look into the matter I find very little evidence to suggest that it is in anyway harmful.  In fact, [Read more...]

Hard to Make the Pro-Choice Argument

This is truly a medical miracle and an inspiring story.  I try to avoid too much political rhetorhic on this blog but consider this story to be a triumph of the good that can be done with medicine and surgery.  Make sure you take note of the tiny little hand.  This picture was taken at 21-weeks.  I am not sure how to justify any choice that does not involve life for this baby.

As a Parent… Constipation

For years I have been helping parents deal with constipation in their newborns and infants. Over the last 6 months, I have had the chance to deal with this problem myself… As a Parent. While constipation is generally not an emergent problem, it can be problematic for both parents and their new babies.  Especially when it makes spitting up worse, interferes with naps, or leads to lots of fussiness. [Read more...]

On Becoming Babywise: The 45-minute intruder

If you are a Babywise parent you are probably aware of this concept.  If not, I am sure you have dealt with the intruder in one form or another.  This post is dedicated to what we have learned about the inturder and the ways we have come up with to best deal with it.  A word of warning though, the intruder can be very nasty and difficult to break.  Babywise will have you believe that the intruder is rare and will likely go away in a week or two.  From my experience and research this is not always the case. [Read more...]

As a Parent… Spitting Up

For years I have been helping parents deal with spitting up, or reflux, in their babies. Over the last 6 months, I have had the chance to deal with this problem myself… As a Parent. While some babies may have considerable trouble with reflux, for most babies it is more of a laundry problem than a medical one.  Regardless, it can be worrisome and frustrating for the parents and may interfere, at times, with baby’s normal routine. [Read more...]

As a Parent… Nasal Congestion

For years I have been helping parents deal with nasal congestion in babies. Recently, I had to deal with nasal congestion myself… As a Parent. [Read more...]

Ask the Doctor: Flu Vaccine in Pregnancy

Patricia asks:

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and have been told by multiple sources (none of which include my OB) that I should get the flu vaccine. The last time I got the flu vaccine, I got the flu. Since, I have not had it once. I really really really don’t want to get it while I’m pregnant. What do you recommend?? [Read more...]

Understanding Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccination

This is a difficult topic to cover in just one post but I will try to give you an overview.  If you want a more detailed review of Hepatitis B infection, visit this link for an excellent article in American Family Physician.  Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns is far more about a pubic health initiative than it is about the health of most of the kids that receive the vaccination.  However this does not necessarily mean that you should not vaccinate your kids.  Let me try to explain… [Read more...]

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