Pediatricians, nurse practitioners and family doctors start screening your baby or toddler for signs of developmental or communication challenges like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the very first visit. As pediatrician, how your baby responds during the various visits during infancy and toddlerhood guides us in his screening. In the office we observe how your…
Read moreWhen I was growing up, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were really common in the school lunchroom. These days, most parents wouldn’t even think of sending one. We’ve moved from peanut-free lunch tables to peanut-free schools—and many camps and afters chool programs have banned anything peanut too. They do it to save lives. Not only…
Read moreA few preliminary studies suggest that labeling fast food menu items with calorie counts and the amount of physical activity required to burn the calories in the food may reduce the number of calories adults purchase for a fast food meal. A new study, “Potential Effect of Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent Labeling on Parent Fast…
Read moreSince December 2014, a measles outbreak that began at Disneyland in California has grown to more than 50 confirmed cases in multiple states, including Illinois. Most of the people who have gotten sick were not vaccinated against measles. This is a stark reminder of the importance of making sure your children are fully vaccinated. The…
Read moreHappy New Year! This month I am celebrating one year with Kids First Pediatric Partners. How time flies, and how much I have learned! Thanks to all of you who have so warmly welcomed me. It has been great meeting all of you and your children. Recently I read in the Chicago Tribune a column…
Read moreResearch has shown children who have a television in their bedrooms have later bedtimes and shorter sleep duration. A new study shows similar sleep problems in children who have a “small screen,” such as a smartphone in their room. The study, “Sleep Duration, Restfulness, and Screens in the Sleep Environment,” published in the February 2015…
Read moreNational data have shown teen use of e-cigarettes is increasing steadily each year. A new survey of high school students in Hawaii found 29 percent have used e-cigarettes, which is substantially higher than previous estimates. The study, “Risk Factors for Exclusive E-Cigarette Use and Dual E-Cigarette Use and Tobacco Use in Adolescents,” in the January…
Read moreBetween 2004 and 2008, annual influenza vaccine recommendations were gradually expanded to include all children aged 6 months or older. In the Pediatrics study, “Influenza-Related Hospitalizations and ED Visits in Children Less Than 5 Years: 2000-2011,” from the January 2015 issue, researchers studied vaccine uptake and influenza-related hospital visits among children age 6 months to…
Read moreCircumcision is a procedure that for some parents generates strong emotions and some controversy. Kids First Pediatric Partners does not advocate or recommend that parents have their sons circumcised. We also do not discourage this medical procedure. There are a variety of reasons why parents choose circumcision. Some, such as followers of the Jewish and…
Read moreBig news! Beginning Monday, we’ll be having walk in hours Monday through Thursdays, 4-7pm, and Fridays-3-4:30PM (for established patients only). These are for acute visits and will be operated by our nurse practitioners.
Read moreIn the spirit of Thanksgiving, one of our families came by to say thank you to Betsy who is one of our wonderful Lactation Consultants. Mom said that Betsy “saved her breastfeeding relationship and that she was thankful for Betsy and that she was her angel.” We truly love hearing from our families. This made…
Read moreTwenty percent of youth attending college have a chronic medical condition, yet relatively few U. S. colleges have the proper health resources to identify or support these students. In the November 2014 Pediatrics study, “College Health Service Capacity to Support Youth With Chronic Medical Conditions,” researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of medical directors from…
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