About.com Pediatrics

2010 Childhood Immunization Schedule

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:00:39 +0000

Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), together with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), publishes new recommendations for immunizations for children and teens.

While there were some changes in the 2010 childhood immunization schedule, these changes likely won't mean any extra shots for most kids. Review the latest immunization schedule and make sure your kids' shots are up-to-date.

2010 Childhood Immunization Schedule originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 11:00:39.

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Children's Jewelry Recall

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:18:24 +0000

About 55,000 children's metal necklaces have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and FAF Inc. because they contain high levels of cadmium, which "is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects."

The recalled necklaces were made in China and sold at Walmart from November 2009 through January 2010 for $5 and include Disney "The Princess and the Frog" crown and frog pendants. The recalled necklaces can be returned to Walmart for a refund or replacement.

Keep in mind that this type of inexpensive children's jewelry has long been a safety hazard to kids -- first from a risk of lead poisoning and now because of other toxic metals, including cadmium, antimony and barium.

To keep kids safe, parents should avoid buying new cheap metal jewelry for your kids, check older jewelry to make sure it hasn't been recalled, and encourage kids who do play with cheap metal jewelry to avoid putting the jewelry in their mouths, since chewing, sucking on, or swallowing a piece of children's jewelry is the main way that your child will be harmed by any hazardous metals that they may have been made with.

Children's Jewelry Recall originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 16:18:24.

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Limiting Screen Time

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:39:19 +0000

A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that the average child in the United States between the ages of 8 and 18 years old spends just over 10 1/2 hours a day (10:45) using some type of entertainment media (screen time), including watching TV, listening to music, playing video games, and surfing the internet, etc.

Although that clearly sounds like too much time using these devices, that is even easier to see when you consider that kids who are heavy users of these types of entertainment media are more likely to get poor grades, less likely to get along well with their parents, and are more likely to report being sad or unhappy.

Learn what your kids should be doing instead of spending all of their time doing and how to start limiting screen time.

Limiting Screen Time originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 21:39:19.

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Graco Stroller Recall

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:25:05 +0000

About 1.5 million Graco strollers have been recalled because the "hinges on the stroller's canopy pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy."

There have been at least seven reports of injuries with these Graco strollers, including five fingertip amputations and two fingertip lacerations. Parents who have one of the recalled Graco strollers, which include certain models of their Graco Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems, should stop using it until they can get a free protective cover repair kit from Graco.

Graco Stroller Recall originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 10:25:05.

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Crib Recalls

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:30:31 +0000

About 635,000 cribs have been recalled by Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because their "drop side hardware can fail causing the drop side to detach from the crib."

There have been at least 31 reports of drop side hardware breaking in these cribs, one incident which lead to the death of a six month old infant, and an additional 36 reports of slats breaking, which can also injure children.

This crib recall affects a number of Dorel Asia cribs models, including fixed and convertible cribs, which were sold at K-Mart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores between January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700. Parents who have recalled cribs should stop using them until they fix them with a free repair kit from www.dorel-asia.com.

In addition to the larger Dorel Asia crib recall, the CPSC also issued a smaller recall of 1,000 Caramia "Diana" drop-side cribs which were distributed by Caramia Furniture and Mother Hubbard's Cupboards, of Ontario, Canada.

Crib Recalls originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 17:30:31.

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Tylenol Recall

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:04:53 +0000

The recent recall of Tylenol didn't get as much coverage in the news as you might expect, likely because of all of the focus on the earthquake in Haiti. Unfortunately, that may mean that parents are unaware of the Tylenol recall and are still giving their kids unsafe products.

Although originally limited to lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100 count with EZ-OPEN CAP when the recall was first announced in December 2009, the recall has since been expanded to include certain lots of:

Junior Strength Motrin IB Caplet 24 ct
Junior Strength Motrin Grape Chewables
Junior Strength Motrin Orange Chewables
Children's Tylenol Bubble Gum Meltaway Tablets
Children's Tylenol Grape Meltaways Tablets
Benadryl Allergy Tablets
Extra Strength Tylenol Caplets
Extra Strength Tylenol Cool Caplets
Extra Strength Tylenol EZ Tabs
Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcaps
Motrin IB Caplets
Motrin IB Tablets
Regular Strength Tylenol Caplets
Rolaids Chewable Tablets
Simply Sleep Mini Caplets
St. Joseph Aspirin
Tylenol 8 Hour Caplets
Tylenol Arthritis Caplets
Tylenol Arthritis Geltabs
Extra Strength Tylenol PM Caplets
Tylenol PM Rapid Release Gelcaps

If you have any of these products, compare their lot numbers, which should be on the side of the product label, to the lot numbers in the full recall product list. Consumers who have a recalled medication should stop using it and can contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for information on how to get a refund or replacement medication.

These products are being recalled because they may contain "trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA)," which can cause the pills to have "an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor" and symptoms including "nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea" in some people.

Tylenol Recall originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 11:04:53.

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Coping with a Tragedy

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:58:08 +0000

Whether it is a school shooting, natural disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami or hurricane, or a terrorist bombing, special attention must be paid to our children to help them cope and understand what has happened.

Viewing images of a natural disaster, such as the earthquake in Haiti, might be especially distressing for kids, as most of the news coverage of these events has included video and photos of dead bodies, lost children, and separated families.

Review some tips to help your children cope with the tragedy in Haiti.

Coping with a Tragedy originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 15:58:08.

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National Influenza Vaccination Week

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:42:22 +0000

With the continued decrease in flu activity across the United States, a lot of parents seem to think that flu season is over. It would be great if that were true, but unfortunately, a typical flu season can last until April or May. Even if we don't see another wave of H1N1 cases, as some experts predict, the CDC states that over the next few months, 'flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall.'

That makes National Influenza Vaccination Week, which kicks off today, a great time to get your kids their seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu vaccine. Remember that it is definitely not too late to get vaccinated against the flu, as we continue to see flu cases and flu vaccine is now in better supply.

National Influenza Vaccination Week originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 13:42:22.

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New Year's Resolutions

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:04:47 +0000

Most people make New Year's Resolutions and some people actually keep them.

Although you can resolve to make changes in your life at any time, since many people see the coming New Year as a fresh start, it is a great time to make some changes that can help your family live happier, safer, and healthier lives.

In addition to encouraging your kids to make New Year's Resolutions, this is a great time to consider some parenting resolutions too.

New Year's Resolutions originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 at 11:04:47.

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Safe Toys

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:56:30 +0000

As kids begin to open their Christmas presents and play, it is important to make sure they have a happy and safe holiday with their new toys. Small parts, recalled toys, video games with inappropriate ratings (for example a Mature game for your pre-teen), etc., are all things to watch out for as your kids open their gifts.

Also teach older children to keep their toys away from their younger brothers and sisters. A toy might be safe for safe for your 9 or 10 year old, but it could be a real safety hazard in the hands of a toddler.

Safe Toys originally appeared on About.com Pediatrics on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 11:56:30.

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