Calling all Artists
Posted by: claireneelymd on: June 2, 2009
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites children to enter a national art contest with a chance to win a trip to Washington DC.
The contest it open to boys and girls in three age groups: Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
The theme is “Protecting Children from Tobacco Smoke.”
“There are still far too many young people who smoke and many pick up this deadly habit while they are at school. This is an opportunity for children to exercise their creative side to alert other children-and parents- to the dangers of tobacco and second-hand smoke.”-David Tayloe, MD, AAP President
For rules and entry forms visit www.aap.org. Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2009.
Make a copy and we will post your entry at the clinic!
Don’t forget to add your pediatrician’s name to the form. 
Wash you hands well and often
Posted by: claireneelymd on: April 29, 2009
There continues to be frequent updates on the spread of this new influenza virus. The CDC has now published recommendations for the use of antiviral agents. Thes guidelines are still in flux, but as of today they reccommend that antiviral treatment should be considered for confirmed, probable or suspected cases of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Treatment of hospitalized patients and patients at higher risk for influenza complications should be prioritized.
It is also important to remember that children should not get any aspirin containing product if they might have any type of influenza. They should not have Peptobismol.
This is a respiratory spread virus. When someone coughs, the micro-droplets spread about 6 feet or so, so stand back.
The best prevention is still to wash your hands properly (20 or more seconds-we teach kids to sing the ABC song as they wash) or use an alcohol based gel hand cleaner.
Swine Flu Update
Posted by: claireneelymd on: April 28, 2009
There are still more questions than answers so far. The number of US cases continues to rise (64 at noon). Most of these folks have recently been to Mexico or has close contact with someone who was there recently.
The symptoms of swine flu are not much different than any other flu virus. If you are feeling ill enough to seek medical care AND you have been to Mexico in the last 7 days or in close contact with someone who has or if you have traveled in the last week to New York City (Queens), San Diego Area, or San Antonio TX, please talk to us before you come to the clinic. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made recommendations that you wear a mask while in the clinic. There are specific testing requirements that we need to follow to submit specimens to MDH.
No doubt there will be more information tomorrow. The amount of worldwide effort going into understanding this virus, how it is spreading, and what to do about it, is truely amazing.
Bed Bugs
Posted by: claireneelymd on: April 15, 2009
Earlier this week, the EPA hosted a 2 day summit on bedbugs. Unbelievably, this is becoming a larger problem in all parts of the US. The issue is that there are not any highly effective pesticides (DDT worked, but was banned for a host of good reasons). It seems that these little critters have hitch-hiked here from overseas in travelers suitcases.
The good news, is that bedbugs are not known to transmit any diseases. But the bites are very itchy. ( I know from experience-a hotel in Nepal-but years ago, so I am not to blame for transmission to the US).
So how do you look for these in a hotel room? Here is some information from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department:
“Concerned travelers may want to get in the habit of checking their bed for signs of bed bugs, a common practice in the past. This would entail examining the bed sheets and upper and lower seams of the mattress and box spring, especially along the head of the bed. Some professionals also suggest removal and examination behind the headboard, a frequent hiding place for the bugs in hotel rooms. Headboards are heavy and cumbersome, however, and untrained persons should not attempt removal themselves. If bed bugs are discovered, travelers can request another room, preferably in another area of the building. Vigilant travelers may also want to elevate suitcases off the floor on a luggage stand, tabletop or other hard surface. Should travelers experience itchy welts suggestive of bed bug bites during their stay, it would be prudent upon returning home (before unpacking) to place all clothing in disposable plastic bags and directly into the washer and/or dryer. Inspecting or vacuuming luggage upon arrival home is less useful since it’s hard to spot bed bugs inside a suitcase. The suitcase itself can either be treated or discarded.” (For more information from U Kentucky click here.)Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!
Posted by: claireneelymd on: March 2, 2009
In 1954, Life magazine published an article that raised the concern that children were not learning to read well. One reasons suggested was that the books being used for young readers were, frankly, boring. Dick, Jane and Baby Sally, just didn’t capture the imagination. Theodore Geisel’s publisher challenged him to write a children’s book using less than 250 different words. Nine months later, The Cat in the Hat, was born. He used 236 words, the longest being “another”, “something” and “plaything”. 221 of the words are monosyllabic.
But this does not begin to describe the problems that the exotic, chaotic, Cat in the Hat causes on that rainy day when it was too wet to play. A talking cat, a scolding goldfish, Thing 1 and Thing 2 and messes that are beyond imagination.
Dr Seuss started a revolution in children’s books, writing over 60 books for young readers. They are fun to for kids to read and fun for parents to read aloud.
March 2 would be his 105th birthday, so invite the Cat, Horton, Fox in Sock, the Grinch and all your other favorites to the party. Of course, you will serve Green Eggs and Ham.
March 2, 1904-September 24, 1991
Happier Cats
Posted by: claireneelymd on: February 17, 2009
For some time, it was thought that washing your cat frequently 
would decrease the allergens and decrease allergic reactions to cats.
A recent study shows that this is not true.
This will make a lot of cats happy.
Bullies, Victims and Health
Posted by: claireneelymd on: February 7, 2009
- In: Children | Teens
- Leave a Comment
It’s hard to ferret out when teens are being bullied. When I see teens with tiredness, school avoidance, headaches, I wonder about it. Too often teens are embarrassed that they are a victim or the bully. Too often parents think that there is nothing they can do, or that it is a problem for schools to address.
But, bullying is more than a school problem. It is more that “kids just being kids.” Bullying is increasingly being associated with negative health outcomes for the bullies and for the victims.
Bullying is associated with accidental and intentional injuries, substance abuse, depression and suicide, missing school, carrying weapons, chronic headaches, sleep problems, bed-wetting and fatigue.
“This should not be considered normal childhood behavior but a marker for more serious issues.” -Dr Joseph Wright, Director of the Child Health Advocacy Institute, Washington DC.
What is bullying? Read the rest of this entry »
Haemophilis influenza, type b (Hib)
Posted by: claireneelymd on: January 26, 2009
There are some things that make me feel old. One is caring for the second generation of patients, seeing the children of those I saw when they were young. This makes me feel old, but it is also a joy to see how these kids turned out and what kind of adults they have become.
Another thing that makes me feel old is remembering diseases and illnesses that are now rare. Haemophilis influenza, type b (Hib) is one of these . I remember the scores of febrile babies who I did a spinal tap on, while they cried. I remember the toddlers who could barely breath because their epiglottis was swollen and blocking their airway. I remember children who died. Read the rest of this entry »
Peanut Butter and Salmonella
Posted by: claireneelymd on: January 21, 2009
There have been cases of Salmonella in Minnesota from the recent outbreak associated with peanut butter products. The involved company does not sell peanut butter in grocery stores, it is sold mainly in large lots to institutions. It does sell a peanut paste that is used in lots of food products.
The information on this is changing, but here is the latest.
From the FDA (January 20, 2009):
Major national brands of jarred peanut butter are not affected by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) recall. PCA does not sell peanut butter directly to consumers. PCA only sells peanut butter to institutions and food manufacturers (some of which use it as an ingredient in other processed/packaged foods). Some food manufacturers use PCA peanut butter or peanut paste in baked or processed foods, such as crackers, cookies, cakes or ice cream to name a few. The FDA and food manufacturers are working to identify products that may be affected, and to track the ingredient supply chain of those products to facilitate their removal from the marketplace.
To check for food recalls:
FDA has created a searchable list of products and brands associated with the expanded PCA recall. This list is available on the FDA website at:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm and will be updated on a regular basis as additional sub recalls occur and information is received by FDA from the industry. Read the rest of this entry »
Brain Health
Posted by: claireneelymd on: January 20, 2009
- In: Children | Pre-schoolers | Teens | Young Adults
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There are some conversations that I have over and over again with kids and families. A 12-year old boy and I just had one of these. He was telling me that he had learned to snowboard this winter and was already “catching air” in the terrain park. When I asked about a helmet, he told me that he was always careful to wear it when doing tricks, but didn’t wear it when cruising down the runs. He is right in thinking that he is more likely to have fall in the terrain park and there are more objects to hit his head on there. But wearing a helmet all the time is a better idea.
Head injuries account for about 18 % of injuries in skiers and snowboarders. Children have 3 times higher risk of head injury than adults and beginners 2x higher risk than experienced skiers. In a study done at a Norwegian ski resort, helmets decreased the risk of head injury by 61%. (1)
Helmets can prevent or reduce the effects of 53% of head injuries according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Read the rest of this entry »
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