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AP GIVES UPDATED ADVICE ON DROWNING PREVENTION
What's New On HealthyChildren.org?
AAP Gives Updated Advice on Drowning Prevention
Sports Physicals - Preparticipation Evaluations
Launch of www.healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics (external link - will open up a new page)
Get Smart About Antibiotics (external link - will open up a new page from the C.D.C.)
Children's Health Topics - (Allows you to browse many health topics as they relate to your child) (external link - will open up a new page from A.A.P.)
Southeastern Pediatrics Supports Our Troops
Immunization Information
Parental Vaccine Refusal
Parents Don't Understand Over The Counter Drug Labels
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information - Parents & Caregivers
2011 Holiday Safety Tips
Brief on Sexting
External Links
For more information relating to childhood immunizations visit www.aap.org, under Children's Health Topics click on "Immunizations".
AAP's Children's Help Topics
For More Information about Safety Recall's or Safety Tips - Please visit the web site for The American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org
2011 HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
Consejos de Seguridad Para Las Fiestas (PDF File)
The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of the source.
Trees
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
- Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Lights
- Check all tree lights--even if you've just purchased them--before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
- Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
Decorations
- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them. Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
- Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.
Toy Safety
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully. To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated. Children under age three can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death -- after swallowing button batteries and magnets. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one. Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons; do not allow young children to play with them. Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
- Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.
Food Safety
- Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits. Be sure to keep hot liquids and food away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens. Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
- Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Happy Visiting
- Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots.Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby-sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
- Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Fireplaces
Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
- Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
- Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
Copyright 2011 - American Academy of Pediatrics
Below is a release on a study appearing in the January issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
STUDY FINDS 2.5 PERCENT OF YOUTHS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SEXTING IN PAST YEAR
An increasing number of adolescents participate in “sexting,” which is sending sexually explicit images of themselves or other minors by cell phone or the Internet. In the study, “Prevalence and Characteristics of Youth Sexting: A National Study” in the January 2012 Pediatrics (published online Dec. 5, 2011), 1,560 Internet users ages 10 through 17 were surveyed about their experiences with appearing in, creating, or receiving sexual images or videos. The study found that 2.5 percent of youth surveyed have participated in sexting in the past year, but only 1 percent involved images that potentially violate child pornography laws. If sexting is defined as transmitting sexually suggestive images, rather than sexually explicit images, that number increases to 9.6 percent. Most kids who have participated do so as a prank or while in a relationship, and a significant number of the incidents (31 percent) included alcohol or drug use. Only a small number of youth admitted to forwarding or posting the images, but half of the incidents occurred more than once. Study authors feel that more young people need to be educated on the consequences of possessing or distributing sexually explicit images, which is currently treated as a criminal offense.
Editor’s Note: a related study, “How Often Are Teens Arrested for Sexting? Data From a National Sample of Police Cases,” will also be published online in the Dec. 5 Pediatrics.
GIRLS, TEENS MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER HEADACHES AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
More than half a million children in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. Adults who suffer TBI often report headaches afterward, but little is known about how often children suffer headaches after similar injuries. In the study, “Headache After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cohort Study,” in the January 2012 Pediatrics (published online Dec. 5, 2011), researchers analyzed the prevalence of headaches three and 12 months after mild and moderate or severe TBI in children ages 5 to 17. Three months after a mild TBI, 43 percent of children reported headache, compared to 37 percent of children who had a moderate to severe TBI, and 26 percent of children in the control group. The risk of headache was highest in adolescents and in girls. Study authors conclude that the response to and recovery from TBI is different for children, adolescents and adults, and that boys and girls are likely to have different symptoms and recovery. Because of the high number of children suffering TBI every year, the study findings indicate many children and adolescents suffer from TBI-associated headaches every year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.
21 HEALTHY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR KIDS
The following New Year tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please feel free to use them in any print or broadcast story, with appropriate attribution of source.
Preschoolers
- I will clean up my toys.
- I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
- I won’t tease dogs – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.
Kids, 5- to 12-years-old
- I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
- I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.
- I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
- I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
- I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
- I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school
- I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.
Kids, 13-years-old and up
- I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and I will limit the amount of soda I drink.
- I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
- I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.
- I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
- I will wipe negative “self talk” (i.e. “I can’t do it” or “I’m so dumb”) out of my vocabulary,
- When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
- When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.
- When I notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviors, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.
- I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence.
- I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
- I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.
American Academy of Pediatrics, 12/09
The information provided throughout the Academy's CISP Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Variations in treatment may be recommended by your pediatrician based on individual facts and circumstances.
Every Child by Two has launched a Web site that is a central resource of vaccine information for parents and others who want to get the facts about vaccines. (8/7/08, Exit Site)
Vaccines - In the News
Flu shots for pregnant moms protect babies A flu shot given to a pregnant woman can help shield her newborn against the potentially deadly infection. (9/18/08, Exit Site)
- Facts for parents about vaccine safety (7/22/08) Click here for facts in Spanish
- Vaccine safety handout (9/5/08)
- Audio files from Dr Joe Bocchini on the importance of immunizing (5/2/08)
Many young parents today have never seen a case of measles or polio. The AAP has assembled a collection of photos of vaccine-preventable diseases that illustrate how serious these diseases can be. (9/17/08, Exit Site)Letter to Parents about Vaccines from the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2/14/08)
Vaccine Safety
Information About Frequently Asked Questions
Answers from the AAP to frequently asked questions about thimerosal used in vaccines and the MMR vaccine.Gardasil (HPV Vaccine) Safety
Information from the CDC about the safety of Gardasil and responses to recent news stories. (7/28/08, Exit Site)Vaccines and Autism: Studies on Mercury
This Web page, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides information and links on vaccines and autism. (Exit Site)AAP Parenting Book: Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: An Informed Parent's Guide
This common-sense parent guide clears up the confusion and answers key questions on the functionality, necessity, efficacy, and safety of vaccines. To order a copy of the book, click here. (PDF, 565KB)Locating Immunization Records
Click here to see various types of immunization records or to find tips for locating lost records.Information for Teens
For more information on adolescent immunization, click here.
Over the past 40 years, childhood immunization has eliminated or reduced many vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella. In the study, “Parental Refusal of Pertussis Vaccination Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Pertussis Infection in Children,” researchers identified 156 confirmed cases of pertussis (whooping cough), and 595 control subjects. Children of parents who refused pertussis immunization were at 23 times the risk for infection compared to vaccinated children. Herd immunity does not appear to completely protect unvaccinated children from pertussis, which highlights the need to develop an effective way to explain the risks and benefits of this and all immunizations to parents. Future research needs to focus on the community impact of vaccine refusal and the risks to other vulnerable groups including young children and older adults.
Editor’s Note: The June issue of Pediatrics also includes the study, “New Vaccines Against Otitis Media: Projected Benefits and Cost-effectiveness.” A 2005 AAP clinical report, “Responding to Parental Refusals of Immunization of Children,” is also available.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medications in children under 2 years of age, and many of these products were removed from the market following a public health advisory from the FDA in 2007. However, various cough and cold products remain on the market, including products aimed at children age 4 and older. In the study “Parental Misinterpretations of Over-the-Counter Pediatric Cough and Cold Medication Labels,” which was conducted prior to the removal of these products from the market, researchers found that parents frequently believed that “infant” OTC cough and cold medications were appropriate for children under age 2 without consulting a physician. When parents looked at the front of the package, 86 percent of the time they thought the medicine was appropriate for children younger than 2. Dosing directions were often not examined or properly understood; more than half the time, parents said they would give these over-the-counter medicines to a 13-month-old child with cold symptoms, despite label instructions to first consult a physician. Pictures of infants, teddy bears and droppers, and the word “infant” on labels influenced parent perceptions that the products are appropriate for young children. Caregivers with lower math skills were more likely to answer inappropriately. Based on this study, the authors suggest that if pediatric cough and cold products remain on the market, they need labels that avoid misleading graphics and are written at lower literacy and math levels.
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information (Updated on August 14, 2009)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the global spread of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. This reflects that the virus has spread to other parts of the world, but it does not mean that the virus has changed or become more severe.
Families should continue to follow the same recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of germs.
The U.S. is working with vaccine manufacturers on the development of a vaccine against swine flu. Infectious disease experts are studying the H1N1 virus and how it behaves in the southern hemisphere this summer. That information will help public health leaders make recommendations about the vaccine and other preventive measures in the fall.
Listen to Joseph Bocchini, MD, FAAP, chairman of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, discuss what families can do to protect themselves from swine flu in an audio interview.The H1N1 virus is a hybrid, with genetic elements of swine influenza, avian influenza, and human influenza. There is no vaccine yet to protect humans against swine flu. Because this is a new strain, seasonal flu shots do not protect people, so good hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of germs. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. The CDC recommends:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands
- Put used tissues in the trash.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. People should stay home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
People cannot get swine flu from pork or pork products.
If you suspect your child has influenza, call your pediatrician. Antiviral medication, if taken soon after infection, can shorten the duration of the illness. These medications are effective against swine flu.
Additional resources:
For Parents/Caregivers:
- CDC Updates Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like Illness should be Away from Others
- The American Academy of Pediatrics Has Put Together a List of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Parents and Caregivers About H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
- Key Facts About Swine Flu (CDC)
- Hand Washing (CDC)
- Talking to Children About Swine Flu (H1N1): A Parent Resource
- What Pregnant Women Should Know About H1N1 (formerly called Swine Flu) Virus
- Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and Feeding your Baby: What Parents Should Know
- Considerations for Pregnant Women Who are More Likely to be Exposed to H1N1 (formerly called Swine Flu) Virus at work; Information for Women in Education, Child Care, and Health Care
- H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You
- What to Do If You Get Flu- Like Symptoms
- Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About H1N1 Flu (formerly Swine Flu) Concerns
- The CDC will answer questions from the general public about swine flu 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact CDC INFO at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
For Child Care Programs and Schools:
- Interim CDC Guidance for Colleges, Universities, and Post – secondary Educational Institutions in Response to Human Infections with Novel A H1N1 (H1N1) Virus
- CDC Resources for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Excerpts from “Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools: A Quick Reference Guide, Second Edition” (Copyright American Academy of Pediatrics 2009).
- As the outbreak has continued to unfold, the U.S. Department of Education, in conjunction with the CDC and the Homeland Security Council, has provided updated guidance to school personnel.
- Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work and School (CDC)
The Physicians and Staff collected necessities for a female unit out of Ft. Stewart, GA about to be deployed to Iraq; US Army, F-Company, 3-69. They are to be "boots on ground" December 22nd. One member of the unit is the niece of an employee.
Preparticipation Evaluations
(Sports Physicals)Before participating in any sport, children are encouraged to have a complete preparticipation evaluation by a pediatrician to promote the health and safety of the athlete in trainings and competitions. These exams are not designed to stop children from participating, but to make sure they are in good health and can safely play the game.The new edition of Preparticipation Physical Evaluation spotlights the importance of sports physicals for children, and the need to use effective and consistent screening tools.
AAP GIVES UPDATED ADVICE ON DROWNING PREVENTION
Before families head to the beach or pool this Memorial Day, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated guidance on water safety and drowning prevention. In its updated policy, the AAP has revised its guidance on swimming lessons and highlights new drowning risks – including large, inexpensive, portable and inflatable pools – that have emerged in the past few years.
Fortunately, drowning rates have fallen steadily from 2.68 per 100,000 in 1985 to 1.32 per 100,000 in 2006. But drowning continues to be the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 19, claiming the lives of roughly 1,100 children in 2006. Toddlers and teenaged boys are at greatest risk.
“To protect their children, parents need to think about layers of protection,” said Jeffrey Weiss, MD, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement and technical report, which will be published in the July print issue of Pediatrics and released early online May 24.
“Children need to learn to swim,” Dr. Weiss said. “But even advanced swimming skills cannot ‘drown-proof’ a child of any age. Parents must also closely supervise their children around water and know how to perform CPR. A four-sided fence around the pool is essential.”
A fence that completely surrounds the pool – isolating it from the house – can cut drowning risk in half. Unfortunately, laws regarding pool fencing may have dangerous loopholes. Large, inflatable above-ground pools can contain thousands of gallons of water and may even require filtration equipment, so they are left filled for weeks at a time. But because they are considered “portable,” these pools often are exempt from local building codes requiring pool fencing. From 2004 to 2006, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 47 deaths of children related to inflatable pools.
“Because some of these pools have soft sides, it is very easy for a child to lean over and fall headfirst into the water,” Dr. Weiss said. “These pools pose a constant danger.”
In the new policy, the AAP reinforces its existing recommendation that most children age 4 and older should learn to swim, but the AAP is now more open toward classes for younger children. In the past, the AAP advised against swimming lessons for children ages 1 to 3 because there was little evidence that lessons prevented drowning or resulted in better swim skills, and there was a concern parents would become less vigilant about supervising a child who had learned some swimming skills.
But new evidence shows that children ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. The studies are small, and they don’t define what type of lessons work best, so the AAP is not recommending mandatory swim lessons for all children ages 1 to 4 at this time. Instead, the new guidance recommends that parents should decide whether to enroll an individual child in swim lessons based on the child’s frequency of exposure to water, emotional development, physical abilities, and certain health concerns related to pool water infections and pool chemicals.
“Not every child will be ready to learn to swim at the same age,” Dr. Weiss said. “Swimming lessons can be an important part of the overall protection, which should include pool barriers and constant, capable supervision.”
The AAP does not recommend formal water safety programs for children younger than 1 year of age. The water-survival skills programs for infants may make compelling videos for the Internet, but no scientific study has yet demonstrated these classes are effective, the policy states.
The updated policy also outlines the danger of body entrapment and hair entanglement in a pool or spa drain. Special drain covers and other devices that release the pressure in a drain can prevent such incidents.
AAP offers specific advice for parents:
- Never – even for a moment – leave small children alone or in the care of another young child while in bathtubs, pools, spas or wading pools, or near irrigation ditches or standing water. Bath seats cannot substitute for adult supervision. Empty water from buckets and other containers immediately after use. To prevent drowning in toilets, young children should not be left alone in the bathroom.
- Closely supervise children in and around water. With infants, toddlers and weak swimmers, an adult should be within an arm’s length. With older children and better swimmers, an adult should be focused on the child and not distracted by other activities.
- If children are in out-of-home child care, ask about exposure to water and the ratio of adults to children.
- If you have a pool, install a four-sided fence that is at least 4 feet high to limit access to the pool. The fence should be hard to climb (not chain-link) and have a self-latching, self-closing gate. Families may consider pool alarms and rigid pool covers as additional layers of protection, but neither can take the place of a fence.
- Children need to learn to swim. AAP supports swimming lessons for most children 4 years and older. Classes may reduce the risk of drowning in younger children as well, but because children develop at different rates, not all children will be ready to swim at the same age.
- Parents, caregivers and pool owners should learn CPR.
- Do not use air-filled swimming aids (such as inflatable arm bands) in place of life jackets. They can deflate and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
- All children should wear a life jacket when riding in a boat. Small children and nonswimmers should also wear one at water’s edge, such as on a river bank or pier.
- Parents should know the depth of the water and any underwater hazards before allowing children to jump in. The first time you enter the water, jump feet first; don’t dive.
- When choosing an open body of water for children to swim in, select a site with lifeguards. Swimmers should know what to do in case of rip currents (swim parallel to the shore until out of the current, then swim back to the shore).
- Counsel teenagers about the increased risk of drowning when alcohol is involved.
