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| Performance Pediatrics Patient Newsletter |
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| Autism Spectrum Disorders: Fact, Fiction and Future |
SPEAKER: Generoso Guetierrez Gascon, MD, Pediatric Neurologist, RHCI for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: RHCI, 311 Service Road, East Sandwich
PRE-REGISTER: Call (508) 833-4008 |
| PLEASE NOTE: We are not involved with this event, but when we heard about it we thought many of our families would want to attend. |
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
 As symbolized by the G-clef in our logo, we believe emotional expression/mental health is a critical part of primary healthcare. Discovering and treating behavioral health issues early and properly can make a significant difference in the life of our patients.
Starting today, February 1, 2008, we are implementing a new behavioral health screening program. In the past, Dr. McAllister relied on verbal communication to screen patients who may be in need of behavioral health services. Starting today, with support from the State-run MassHealth system, we are utilizing a series of written screening tools that have been proven to be effective in detecting mental health problems. To read more about MassHealth's Children's Behavioral Health Initiative, follow this link.
We use several age-specific brief questionnaires that cover topics that range from post-partum depression to drug abuse. Patients and parents are, of course, free to decline the screening. We hope, however, that you will take advantage of this valuable tool. Keep in mind that the helpfulness of the tool depends upon the honesty of your answers.
If we have your email address on file we will email the questionnaire to you before your visit. You can fill it out ahead of time and bring it with you. If you need to fill out the form in our office, be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to give yourself enough time to thoughtfully answer all of the questions.
You don't have to wait for a well-child exam. At any time, if you have any concerns that your child may have an emotional or behavioral problem call Dr. McAllister to discuss the issue. |
| FDA Issues New Warning Against Cold Medicine
Last month the FDA issued a new Patient Health Advisory for parents and caregivers stating that over-the-counter cold medicines should not be given to children less than 2 years of age. Read the FDA Press Release here.
This latest warning follows closely on the October FDA warning which we also alerted our families about. Read our October alert by clicking here.
Cold and flu season can seem endless especially if your little one has chronic ear infections, congestion, cough and other cold symptoms. We encourage all of our families to contact Dr. McAllister prior to administering over-the-counter medications to children under 6 years of age and to heed the FDA's warnings to date. |
Preventing Food Allergies in Children
The rate of food allergies in children has risen dramatically in the past several years. It is now estimated that 6-8% of all children will develop a food allergy before they are one year old. The most common foods that children develop allergies to are cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, and strawberries.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released a clinical report titled, "Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods, and Hydrolyzed Formulas." The report concludes that atopic disease (eczema, asthma, and/or food allergy) may be delayed or prevented in high-risk infants (babies with at least one parent or sibling with atopic disease) if they are breastfed for at least four months or given certain hypoallergenic formulas without cow milk protein. Hypoallergenic formulas are also called hydrolyzed formulas and include Nutramigen, Pregestimil, Alimentum, and Carnation GoodStart.
In addition the experts conclude that there is no evidence that restrictions to Mom's diet during pregnancy or while breastfeeding have any affect on development of allergies. Nor is there sufficient evidence that any dietary intervention after 4-6 months of age prevents allergic disease, however starting solid foods prior to 4 months does increase the risk of developing food allergies.
If you have a family with a history of allergies, asthma, or eczema it may be wise to either breastfeed for the first four months of a new baby's life or to use one of the hypoallergenic formulas if you choose not to breastfeed. | |
Reminder: Deadline for Anti-Tobacco Poster Contest is February 15
Entries must be received by the Massachusetts Medical Society by Friday, February 15, 2008. We will be sending an overnight package, so if you want us to submit it for you, be sure to have your entries to us by noon on Thursday, February 14. | |
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Sincerely,
Dr. Terence McAllister
Performance Pediatrics |
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