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Patient Newsletter
April 2008 |
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| We are currently looking to hire two part-time receptionists at Performance Pediatrics. If you know of anyone currently looking for this type of work, please direct them to the job description here. |
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 COLIC All infants cry, and during the first three months of life babies will cry more than at any other time. How much a baby cries varies quite a bit and studies have found that most babies cry from 42 minutes to 2 hours per day. Colic is defined as excessive crying and a general definition uses "the rule of three" or crying for more than 3 hours per day, on more than 3 days a week, and lasting for more than 3 weeks duration.
True colic involves more than just excessive crying, at least in some infants. Colic tends to have very abrupt onset and ending, unrelated to what was happening before the onset started, and often occurs in the evening. Colic episodes are more intense, louder, and higher pitched than "normal" crying. Infants with colic may seem very tense with rigid muscles and are difficult or impossible to soothe.
There are many theories about the causes of colic but nobody is sure of the exact cause. Most infants with colic do not have an underlying medical condition that causes them to cry excessively. Colic probably results from a number of different factors, including gastrointestinal, biologic, and psychosocial factors.
There are a number of reasons, other than colic, that an infant may cry excessively; these can range from simple problems such as hunger to more serious problems such as infection. A parent should first check for manageable causes of crying such as hunger, being too hot or too cold, pain (such as from clothing or a diaper that is too tight), fatigue, or over stimulation.
There are a number of strategies parents can try to soothe a colicky baby. You can try carrying your baby in your arms or a sling and gently rocking him. Trying giving her a pacifier, going for a ride in the car, giving a warm bath, or placing the infant near a white noise source (such as a clothes drier or vacuum cleaner).
Dealing with a colicky baby can be very frustrating, if you find you are getting upset or angry with yourself or your baby be sure to get help from family or contact me for assistance.
The diagnosis of colic is often made after it has run its typical three- to four-month course. Parents who are concerned about their infant's crying should call me to discuss their concerns and possible management strategies. Other causes of excessive crying must always be considered and ruled out in any infant who is suspected to have colic. |
 THE CHOKING GAME
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 AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS LAUNCHES 2008 NATIONAL ART CONTEST FOR CHILDREN
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites children to participate in a national art contest with a chance to win a trip to Boston, Mass.
The Academy's contest is open to boys and girls in two groups, grades 3-5 and 6-8. The winner in each group and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the 2008 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Boston on October 11. Both winners will receive $500 and up to $1,000 for travel-related expenses. The two second place winners will each receive $250. The four winners' schools will receive matching cash amounts. Winners and some other entrants will have their artwork featured on the AAP Web site and in promotional materials. The contest theme is "How I Can Be Active".
To enter, children should submit an original piece of artwork to: American Academy of Pediatrics, Art Contest, 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Official entry forms and consent forms must accompany all entries and are available online at http://www.aap.org/75/2008artcontest/. Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2008. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges including pediatricians, and announced in the summer.
Dr. McAllister is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 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. |
 ASTHMA & ALLERGY
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP
Meets 7 - 9 pm at North Pembroke Elementary School, 72 Pilgrim Road in Pembroke
April 2: Food Allergy Parent Roundtable
May 2: Food Allergy Update: What's New in Research and Prevention?
FREE and open to the public
www.asthmaandallergies.orgPlease note: Performance Pediatrics is not directly connected to this organization. We are passing along this infomration as we believe many of our families may be interested in attending. | |
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Sincerely,
Dr. Terence McAllister
Performance Pediatrics |
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