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21 | 2018-04-19 03:01:39 | Hirschsprung Disease | Hirschsprung Disease Page Content Article BodyIf your new baby has only rare bowel movements, his stools are hard, and his abdomen appears bloated, your pediatrician will examine him to determine whether retained stool is swelling the abdomen while the rectum is empty. This group of symptoms can indicate Hirschsprung disease, a rare condition in which the baby lacks the nerves needed for having bowel movements. Hirschsprung disease is treated with surgery. Left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening complications, so be sure to bring early constipation that occurs just after birth or in early infancy to your pediatrician’s attention. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Nutrition: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © American Academy of Pediatrics 2011) |
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22 | 2018-04-19 03:01:42 | Infant Vomiting | Infant Vomiting Page Content Article BodyMy baby vomits a lot. Is this a sign of a problem? Because many common childhood illnesses can cause vomiting, you should expect your child to have this problem several times during these early years. Usually it ends quickly without treatment, but this doesn’t make it any easier for you to watch. That feeling of helplessness combined with the fear that something serious might be wrong and the desire to do something to make it better may make you tense and anxious. To help put your mind at ease, learn as much as you can about the causes of vomiting and what you can do to treat your child when it occurs. Vomiting vs Spitting Up First of all, there’s a difference between real vomiting and just spitting up. Vomiting is the forceful throwing up of stomach contents through the mouth. Spitting up (most commonly seen in infants under one year of age) is the easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth, frequently with a burp. Vomiting occurs when the abdominal muscles and diaphragm contract vigorously while the stomach is relaxed. This reflex action is triggered by the “vomiting center” in the brain after it has been stimulated by: Nerves from the stomach and intestine when the gastrointestinal tract is either irritated or swollen by an infection or blockage Chemicals in the blood (e.g., drugs) Psychological stimuli from disturbing sights or smells Stimuli from the middle ear (as in vomiting caused by motion sickness) Causes of Vomiting The common causes of spitting up or vomiting vary according to age. During the first few months, for instance, most infants will spit up small amounts of formula or breastmilk, usually within the first hour after being fed. This “cheesing,” as it is often called, is simply the occasional movement of food from the stomach, through the tube (esophagus) leading to it, and out of the mouth. It will occur less often if a child is burped frequently and if active play is limited right after meals. This spitting up tends to decrease as the baby becomes older, but may persist in a mild form until ten to twelve months of age. Spitting up is not serious and doesn’t interfere with normal weight gain. Occasional vomiting may occur during the first month. If it appears repeatedly or is unusually forceful, call your pediatrician. It may be just a mild feeding difficulty, but it also could be a sign of something more serious. Persistent Vomiting Between two weeks and four months of age, persistent forceful vomiting may be caused by a thickening of the muscle at the stomach exit. Known as hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, this thickening prevents food from passing into the intestines. It requires immediate medical attention. Surgery usually is required to open the narrowed area. The important sign of this condition is forceful vomiting occurring approximately fifteen to thirty minutes or less after every feeding. Anytime you notice this, call your pediatrician as soon as possible. GERD Occasionally the spitting up in the first few weeks to months of life gets worse instead of better—that is, even though it’s not forceful, it occurs all the time. This happens when the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus become overly relaxed and allow the stomach contents to back up. This condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition usually can be controlled by doing the following: Thicken the milk with small amounts of baby cereal as directed by your pediatrician. Avoid overfeeding or give smaller feeds more frequently. Burp the baby frequently. Leave the infant in a safe, quiet, upright position for at least thirty minutes following feeding. If these steps are not successful, your pediatrician may refer you to a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist. Infection After the first few months of life, the most common cause of vomiting is a stomach or intestinal infection. Viruses are by far the most frequent infecting agents, but occasionally bacteria and even parasites may be the cause. The infection also may produce fever, diarrhea, and sometimes nausea and abdominal pain. The infection is usually contagious; if your child has it, chances are good that some of her playmates also will be affected. Rotaviruses are a leading cause of vomiting in infants and young children, with symptoms often progressing to diarrhea and fever. These viruses are very contagious, but are becoming less common than in the past, due to the availability of a vaccine that can prevent the disease. The rotavirus is one of the viral causes of gastroenteritis, but other types of viruses—such as noroviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses—can cause it as well. Occasionally infections outside the gastrointestinal tract will cause vomiting. These include infections of the respiratory system, infections of the urinary tract otitis media, meningitis , and appendicitis. Some of these conditions require immediate medical treatment, so be alert for the following trouble signs, whatever your child’s age, and call your pediatrician if they occur. Blood or bile (a green-colored material) in the vomit Severe abdominal pain Strenuous, repeated vomiting Swollen or enlarged abdomen Lethargy or severe irritability Convulsions Signs or symptoms of dehydration, including dry mouth, absent tears, depression of the "soft spot", and decreased urination Inability to drink adequate amounts of fluid Vomiting continuing beyond twenty-four hours Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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23 | 2018-04-19 03:01:47 | Inguinal Hernia | Inguinal Hernia Page Content Article BodyIf you notice a small lump or bulge in your child’s groin area or an enlargement of the scrotum, you may have discovered an inguinal hernia. This condition, which is present in up to five of every hundred children (most commonly in boys), occurs when an opening in the lower abdominal wall allows the child’s intestine to squeeze through. This inguinal hernia is frequently confused with a more benign condition, a communicating hydrocele. The testicles of the developing male fetus grow inside his abdominal cavity, moving down through a tube (the inguinal canal) into the scrotum as birth nears. When this movement takes place, the lining of the abdominal wall (peritoneum) is pulled along with the testes to form a sac connecting the testicle with the abdominal cavity. A hernia in a child is due to a failure of this normal protrusion from the abdominal cavity to close properly before birth, leaving a space for a small portion of the bowel to later push through into the groin or scrotum. Most hernias do not cause any discomfort, and you or the pediatrician will discover them only by seeing the bulge. Although this kind of hernia must be treated, it is not an emergency condition. You should, however, notify your doctor, who may instruct you to have the child lie down and elevate his legs. Sometimes this will cause the bulge to disappear. However, your doctor will still want to examine the area as soon as possible. Rarely, a piece of the intestine gets trapped in the hernia, causing swelling and pain. (If you touch the area, it will be tender.) Your son may have nausea and vomiting as well. This condition is called an incarcerated (trapped) hernia and does require immediate medical attention. Call your pediatrician immediately if you suspect an incarcerated hernia. Treatment Even if the hernia is not incarcerated, it still should be surgically repaired as soon as possible. The surgeon also may check the other side of the abdomen to see if it, too, needs to be corrected, since it is very common for the same defect to be present there. If the hernia is causing pain, it may indicate that a piece of intestine has become trapped or incarcerated. In that case, consult with your pediatrician immediately. He may try to move the trapped piece of intestine out of the sac. Even if this can be done, the hernia still needs to be surgically repaired soon thereafter. If the intestine remains trapped despite your doctor’s efforts, emergency surgery must be performed to prevent permanent damage to the intestine. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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24 | 2018-04-19 03:01:54 | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Page Content Article BodyIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often referred to inaccurately as “colitis” and “mucous colitis.” But the suffix “itis” in a medical condition’s name denotes inflammation, which is not a hallmark of IBS. Rather than inflaming the colon, IBS sensitizes the nerves responsible for the contractions (called peristalsis) that propel partially digested food through the organ. As a result, the muscular inner wall overreacts to mild stimuli like milk products and emotional stress, and goes into spasm. Irritable bowel syndrome produces cramplike pains and bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation. The more serious disorders, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are both forms of inflammatory bowel disease. IBD damages the tissue of the small bowel and the large bowel, respectively, through the process of inflammation. As the body’s response to injury, inflammation is characterized by blood-carrying, infection-fighting white blood cells that rush to the site of the injury. Their presence accounts for the painful swelling, warmth and redness associated with an inflammatory reaction. Among children, Crohn’s is two times more prevalent than ulcerative colitis. Whereas ulcerative colitis affects only the inner lining of the intestine and is confined to one section, “Crohn’s disease can penetrate the full thickness of the bowel and tends to occur in more than one area,” explains Dr. Alan Lake, a pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In colitis, however, ulcers form where inflammation has destroyed the tissue. The open sores ooze blood, mucus and pus. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease has yet to be discovered, although theories abound. Heredity is a factor: 15 to 30 percent of IBD sufferers have a relative with either disorder. Symptoms that Suggest Irritable Bowel Syndrome may include: Cramplike pain and spasms in the lower abdomen Nausea Bloating and gas Headache Rectal pain Backache Appetite loss Alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation Fatigue Depression Anxiety Difficulty concentrating Symptoms that Suggest Inflammatory Bowel Disease may include: Crohn’s Disease Cramping abdominal pain and tenderness, particularly after meals Nausea Diarrhea General ill feeling Fever Appetite loss possibly leading to weight loss Bloody stool Swelling, pain, stiffness in the knees and ankles Cankerlike sores in the mouth Eye inflammation Irritation or swelling around the rectum Fatigue Depression Anxiety Difficulty concentrating Delayed growth and sexual development in younger teens, due to lack of nutrition Ulcerative Colitis Pain and cramping in the left side of the abdomen Intermittent episodes of bloody, mucus-like stool Swelling, pain, stiffness in the knees and ankles Canker-like sores in the mouth Fatigue Depression Anxiety Difficulty concentrating Growth retardation in younger teens, due to lack of nutrition Acute attacks may include: Up to twenty bloody, loose bowel movements a day Urgent need to move bowels Severe cramps and rectal pain Profuse sweating Dehydration Nausea Appetite loss Weight loss Abdominal bloating Fever up to 104 degrees F You can see that many of the symptoms overlap, making diagnosis complicated at times. In general, says Dr. Lake, “the patient with ulcerative colitis has more bloody bowel movements, and the patient with Crohn’s disease experiences more pain.” He goes on to say that while ulcerative colitis is usually picked up quickly, “with Crohn’s disease, many months can pass between the onset of symptoms and the time of diagnosis. Not only are the symptoms subtle, but they can be minimized by cutting back on eating. So it can be difficult for parents to recognize that something is the matter. “Frequently, kids are diagnosed because they develop inflammation elsewhere, like the eyes, the mouth and the rectum. If your child has irritation or swelling around the rectum,” he advises, “never assume that it is hemorrhoids, which is all but unheard of in children. The concern should be that he or she has Crohn’s disease.” How Irritable Bowel Syndrome is Diagnosed: Physical examination and thorough medical history, plus one or more of the following procedures: Urinalysis Urine culture Complete blood count Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood test Stool blood test Sigmoidoscopy How Inflammatory Bowel Disease is Diagnosed: Physical examination and thorough medical history, plus one or more of the following procedures: Complete blood count Prothrombin time blood test Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood test Stool blood test Urinalysis Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium swallow) Still other laboratory tests may be ordered. How Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are Treated All of these chronic conditions are incurable but treatable, meaning that steps can be taken on several fronts to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. Changes in diet: Boys and girls with IBS or IBD are able to eat relatively normally when the disease is in remission, which is much of the time. During flareups, though, they need to be conscientious about avoiding certain foods. Your pediatrician will work with a nutritionist or a GI specialist to tailor an eating plan for your youngster.In irritable bowel syndrome, adding roughage to the diet may be all that’s necessary to ease cramping and soften hardened stool or eliminate diarrhea. However, high-fiber foods induce the opposite effect in a teen with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, who should stick to easy-to-digest low-residue items like broth, gelatin, skinless poultry, fish, rice, eggs and pasta. Fried foods and dairy are also taboo when the disease is active.Memo to Mom and Dad: Help spare your son or daughter some of the unwelcome consequences of IBD by serving five or six small meals a day instead of the customary big three. Drug therapy: If diet alone doesn’t bring relief from an irritable bowel, occasionally a pediatrician will prescribe an antispasmodic agent to slow down its activity. Medication is usually indicated in Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, where the favored drugs include corticosteroids such as prednisone (“the cornerstone of treatment,” according to Dr. Lake), and the 5-ASA agents sulfasalazine, olsalazine and mesalamine. Should these fail to stem the inflammation, your pediatrician might prescribe one of the following immunomodulators: azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate or 6-mercaptopurine. They work by altering the body’s immune response. An IBD patient’s medicine cabinet often contains antibiotics and antidiarrheal medicines as well. Dietary supplements: From a child's perspective, one of the most upsetting effects of inflammatory bowel disease is its suppression of growth and sexual maturity. Large doses of prednisone can decelerate physical development; accordingly, pediatricians lower the dose or gradually take young people off the drug once it has controlled the inflammation.The main cause of poor growth, however, is insufficient nutrition. Adolescents with IBD sometimes fall into the habit of skimping on breakfast and lunch in order to avoid repeated trips to the bathroom while at school. As a result, they may be lacking in calories, nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Protein is especially crucial for growth.Your pediatrician will monitor your child’s eating patterns. Most nutritional deficiencies can be corrected by tinkering with the diet. If necessary, though, she can prescribe oral supplements and/or high-calorie liquid formulas. Surgery: Cases of inflammatory bowel disease that resist drug therapy or develop complications may require an operation to remove part or all of the colon. This route is rarely taken during the teen years. Mental health care: Emotional stress does not cause IBS or IBD, but it can aggravate either condition. Therefore, patients may benefit a great deal from seeing a mental health professional who can teach them stress-reduction techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation and progressive guided imagery. As with other chronic ailments, inflammatory bowel disease can be frustrating for teenagers. Flareups often leave them more dependent on their parents than they want to be and make them feel different from their friends. They may feel as though their body has betrayed them. If you suspect that your son or daughter is having a hard time coping, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a suitable counselor. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Adapted from Caring for Your Teenager (Copyright © 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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25 | 2018-04-19 03:02:01 | Malabsorption | Malabsorption Page Content Article BodySometimes children who eat a balanced diet suffer from malnutrition. The reason for this may be malabsorption, the body’s inability to absorb nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodstream. Normally the digestive process converts nutrients from the diet into small units that pass through the wall of the intestine and into the bloodstream, where they are carried to other cells in the body. If the intestinal wall is damaged by a virus, bacterial infection, or parasites, its surface may change so that digested substances cannot pass through. When this happens, the nutrients will be eliminated through the stool. Malabsorption commonly occurs in a normal child for a day or two during severe cases of stomach or intestinal flu. It rarely lasts much longer since the surface of the intestine heals quickly without significant damage. In these cases, malabsorption is no cause for concern. However, chronic malabsorption may develop, and if two or more of the following signs or symptoms persist, notify your pediatrician. Signs and Symptoms Possible signs and symptoms of chronic malabsorption include the following: Persistent abdominal pain and vomiting Frequent, loose, bulky, foul- smelling stools Increased susceptibility to infection Weight loss with the loss of fat and muscle Increase in bruises Bone fractures Dry, scaly skin rashes Personality changes Slowing of growth and weight gain (may not be noticeable for several months) Treatment When a child suffers from malnutrition, malabsorption is just one of the possible causes. She might be undernourished because she’s not getting enough of the right types of food, or she has digestive problems that prevent her body from digesting them. She also might have a combination of these problems. Before prescribing a treatment, the pediatrician must determine the cause. This can be done in one or more of the following ways. You may be asked to list the amount and type of food your child eats. The pediatrician may test the child’s ability to digest and absorb specific nutrients. For example, the doctor might have her drink a solution of milk sugar (lactose) and then measure the level of hydrogen in her breath afterward. This is known as a lactose hydrogen breath test. The pediatrician may collect and analyze stool samples. In healthy people, only a small amount of the fat consumed each day is lost through the stool. If too much is found in the stool, it is an indication of malabsorption. Collection of sweat from the skin, called a sweat test, may be performed to see if cystic fibrosis is present. In this disease, the body produces insufficient amounts of certain enzymes necessary for proper digestion and an abnormality in the sweat. In some cases the pediatrician might request that a pediatric gastroenterologist obtain a biopsy from the wall of the small intestine, and have it examined under the microscope for signs of infection, inflammation, or other injury. Ordinarily, these tests are performed before any treatment is begun, although a seriously sick child might be hospitalized in order to receive special feedings while her problem is being evaluated. Once the physician is sure the problem is malabsorption, she will try to identify a specific reason for its presence. When the reason is infection, the treatment usually will include antibiotics. If malabsorption occurs because the intestine is too active, certain medications may be used to counteract this, so that there’s time for the nutrients to be absorbed. Sometimes there’s no clear cause for the problem. In this case, the diet may be changed to include foods or special nutritional formulas that are more easily tolerated and absorbed. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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26 | 2018-04-19 03:02:06 | Oatmeal: The Safer Alternative for Infants & Children Who Need Thicker Food | Oatmeal: The Safer Alternative for Infants & Children Who Need Thicker Food Page ContentCertain diet textures are often prescribed to help infants and children with special needs eat more safely and easily. Children with dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux, for example, may need their food to be thicker in order to swallow safely or reduce reflux.In response to concerns over arsenic in rice, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends parents of children with these conditions use oatmeal instead of rice cereal. Why Oatmeal?Children with these conditions were exposed to more rice cereal (and, therefore, more arsenic) for a longer period of time. For infants, this increased exposure also comes at a time when they are developing most rapidly and may be at the greatest risk for side effects of arsenic. Therefore, a safer alternative was needed.Oatmeal is not a member of the wheat family (i.e. oatmeal is gluten-free), so it's also safe for kids with celiac disease.Tips for Parents: Talk with your child's pediatrician or feeding specialist about the different types of oatmeal cereals on the market and how to arrive at a just-right consistency. The amount of oatmeal to add to the liquid (formula, breast milk, etc.) is dependent on your child's condition. It is important to follow the recommendations of your pediatrician or feeding therapist.If you are mixing oatmeal cereal in pumped breast milk: It is best to do it right before your infant will feed. If you mix it too early, the enzymes in the breast milk will break down the oatmeal—making it ineffective.If you are mixing oatmeal cereal in formula: It is most effective if done no more than 20 to 30 minutes before your infant will feed. If your child is drinking it from a bottle, you may need to go up to a larger nipple size in order for the oatmeal to flow. Most feeding specialists now recommend either a faster flow nipple or commercially precut, cross-cut nipples provided by the hospital.Be certain that your child is sitting in an appropriate position, as it can affect his or her ease and enjoyment with the meal. Make sure you are not over feeding your child. If he or she is gaining weight rapidly, but spitting up a lot, try decreasing the amount at each feeding. Infants with reflux, for example, tend to do better with smaller, more frequent meals. The commercial thickening agent, Simply Thick, should not be used in any infant. It increases the risk of developing a life-threatening condition called necrotizing enterocolitis.Additional Information on HealthyChildren.org:GERD/RefluxTips to Reduce Arsenic in Your Baby's Diet Working Together: Breastfeeding and Solid FoodsStarting Solid Foods Article Body Last Updated 4/18/2016 Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2016) |
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27 | 2018-04-19 03:02:10 | Peptic-Ulcers | Peptic-Ulcers Page Content Article BodyThe highly acidic digestive juices in the stomach and bowel can erode the delicate lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing sores known as ulcers. The most common site is the duodenum: the portion of the small intestine that receives the soupy mixture of semidigested food from the stomach. Both duodenal ulcers and gastric (stomach) ulcers are referred to as “peptic” ulcers. The name alludes to pepsin, the digestive enzyme responsible for breaking down the protein in food. Doctors used to believe that all ulcers were caused by diet and stress. We now know that a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori is behind many adult ulcers. The percentage of adolescent ulcer patients infected with H. pylori may be in the neighborhood of 25 percent. Scientists believe that this common microorganism enters our bodies via food and water, and possibly through kissing. Half of all men and women over sixty carry the bacteria. Why the majority of them never develop peptic ulcer disease is a question still in search of an answer. Symptoms that Suggest Peptic Ulcers may Include: Sharp, burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen that lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to three hours and comes and goes Appetite loss Weight loss Weight gain Nausea and vomiting Blood-tinged vomit Bloody stool Bloating Belching Anemia How Ulcers Are Diagnosed Physical examination and thorough medical history, plus one or more of the following procedures: Endoscopic exam of the stomach (gastroscopy) or the upper bowel (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), including tissue biopsy, to detect H. pylori bacteria To locate the source of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may order one or more of the following: Stool blood test Complete blood count Prothrombin time blood test Angiogram Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy Scintigraphic studies CAT (CT) scan Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan How Ulcers Are Treated Drug therapy: “When I started in gastroenterology in the 1970s,” says Dr. Alan Lake, a pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “I was subjecting six to eight patients a year to partial removal of their stomachs to treat chronic peptic ulcer disease. But since the mid 1980s, I haven’t sent a single patient to surgery. The medication options that are now available have virtually eliminated the need for an operation.” Several types of drugs are typically incorporated into treatment: Nonprescription antacids, taken intermittently to neutralize excess stomach acid and relieve abdominal pain. H2 blockers (cimetidine, rantidine, famotidine), which reduce acid production in the digestive tract. Antibiotics, if diagnostic tests reveal the presence of H. pylori. Acid pump inhibitors (omeprazole). Mucosal protective agents (sucralfate, misoprostol). Youngsters taking H2 blockers should begin to feel significantly better after several weeks. The medication can then be discontinued. Your child can also resume eating normally; the bland diet of old has not been found to help treat or prevent ulcers. Should the disease recur—as happens in half to four-fifths of all cases—most pediatricians would recommend staying on the drug for six months to two years. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Adapted from Caring for Your Teenager (Copyright © 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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28 | 2018-04-19 03:02:17 | Rare Infections: Yersinia Enterocolitica and Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis | Rare Infections: Yersinia Enterocolitica and Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis Page Content Article BodyYersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are bacterial infections that are uncommon, but can cause problems when they occur. Y enterocolitica causes a condition called enterocolitis, which is an inflammation of the small intestine and colon that occurs, and often recurs, mostly in young children. These infections appear to be acquired by eating contaminated food, particularly raw or inadequately cooked pork products, and drinking unpasteurized milk. They might also be contracted by touching an infected animal, drinking contaminated well water, or on rare occasions, from contaminated transfusions. The infections are increasing in frequency among children whose immune system is weakened. The incubation period is around 4 to 6 days. Signs and Symptoms When a Y enterocolitica infection is present, it not only causes an inflamed small intestine and colon, but also symptoms such as diarrhea and a fever. A child with this infection may have stools that contain blood and mucus. These symptoms may last for 1 to 3 weeks, sometimes longer. Along with these more common symptoms, very young children who have too much iron stored in their bodies, such as those who receive blood transfusions, or whose immune system is already suppressed or weakened because of another illness, may be susceptible to bacteremia (the spread of bacteria to the blood). Older youngsters may also have symptoms that mimic appendicitis (a pseudoappendicitis syndrome), with right-sided abdominal pain and tenderness. On rare occasions, this infection may be associated with conditions such as a sore throat, eye inflammation, meningitis, and pneumonia. In older youngsters, joint pain or a red skin lump (erythema nodosum) on the lower legs may develop after the infection itself has gone away. Children with Y pseudotuberculosis will likely develop a fever, a rash, and abdominal pain, including the pseudoappendicitis syndrome. Some children may also have diarrhea, a rash, and excess fluid in the chest region or spaces around the joints. When to Call Your Pediatrician Contact your pediatrician if your child’s stool is streaked with blood. Look for signs of dehydration that could be caused by your youngster’s diarrhea, including dry mouth, unusual thirst, and a decline in the frequency of urination. How Is the Diagnosis Made? Your pediatrician can order tests to detect the presence of Yersinia organisms in your child’s stool. Evidence of the infection may also be seen by taking throat swabs and evaluating them in the laboratory, examining the urine, or testing the blood for antibodies to the bacteria. Because these are relatively rare infections, most laboratories do not routinely perform tests looking for Yersinia organisms in feces. Treatment In most children, the infection will go away on its own. In some cases, Yersinia infections need to be treated with antibiotics. As with all cases of diarrhea, fluids are given to prevent or treat dehydration. Prevention Make sure your child does not consume raw or undercooked pork, unpasteurized milk, and contaminated water.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw pork intestines (chitterlings). No vaccine is available to prevent Yersinia infections. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: An Informed Parent's Guide (Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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29 | 2018-04-19 03:02:24 | Reye Syndrome | Reye Syndrome Page Content Article BodyReye syndrome (often referred to as Reye’s syndrome) is a rare but very serious illness that usually occurs in children younger than fifteen years of age. It can affect all organs of the body, but most often injures the brain and the liver. Reye syndrome is preceded by a viral infection, most commonly chickenpox or influenza. Although no one knows precisely what causes Reye syndrome, it affects only a small number of children, and is strongly associated with aspirin or aspirin-containing medication during the viral infection. Signs and Symptoms Whenever your child has a viral illness, be alert for the following pattern typical of Reye syndrome: Your child may develop a viral infection, such as influenza, an upper respiratory illness, or chickenpox, and then seem to be improving. However, then he abruptly starts to vomit repeatedly and frequently every one or two hours over a twenty-four to thirty-six-hour period, becoming lethargic or sleepy, which then turns into agitation, delirium, or anger. Then he may become confused or even become unresponsive. If the disease progresses, there is a strong chance he will have seizures and go into a deep coma. Call your pediatrician as soon as you suspect that your child’s illness is following this pattern. If your doctor is not available, take your child to the nearest emergency department. It is very important to diagnose this illness as early as possible. Prevention Since the medical community issued a public warning against the use of aspirin during viral illnesses, the number of cases of Reye syndrome has decreased greatly. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not give aspirin or any medications containing aspirin to your child or teenager when he has any viral illness, particularly chickenpox or influenza. If he needs medication for mild fever or discomfort, give him acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is approved for use in children six months of age or older; however, it should never be given to children who are dehydrated or who are vomiting continuously. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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30 | 2018-04-19 03:02:31 | Shigella Infections | Shigella Infections Page Content Article BodyShigella bacteria cause a diarrheal illness that can occur in children. Four species of Shigella bacteria (S boydii, S dysenteriae, S flexneri, and S sonnei) have been identified as infecting the lining of the intestines. These bacterial illnesses are highly contagious. They are spread through the feces of people with the infection, particularly in close contact environments such as within families and in child care centers. They can also be contracted by consuming contaminated food or water or by touching an object on which the bacteria may be present. Children aged 2 to 4 years are particularly vulnerable to developing the disease. The incubation period is usually 2 to 4 days. Signs and Symptoms A Shigella infection can cause mild watery or loose stools with no other symptoms, or it can be more serious, with fever, abdominal cramps or tenderness, crampy rectal pain (tenesmus), and mucous-filled and sometimes bloody stools. When to Call Your Pediatrician Call your pediatrician if you notice blood in your child’s stool, there’s no improvement in her diarrhea, or she is showing signs of dehydration. How Is the Diagnosis Made? A pediatrician may order laboratory tests in which a culture of the child’s feces is examined for evidence of Shigella bacteria. Treatment If your child’s symptoms are mild, your pediatrician may decide that it’s not necessary to prescribe medicine to treat the infection. These children generally get better rapidly without any medicine. However, antibiotics such as cefixime, ampicillin, or trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole may be prescribed in more severe cases. These drugs can kill Shigella bacteria in the child’s stools, shorten the duration of the diarrhea, and lower the chances of spreading the illness. If your child is having lots of watery diarrhea, be sure to give her extra fluids to avoid dehydration. It is important that the fluids contain salt because salts are lost in the diarrhea. Rehydration fluids are sold over the counter, but you can also make these at home. Talk to your pediatrician to be sure you have the correct amount of salt and water. In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required. Do not self-prescribe antidiarrheal medicines, which can actually make your child worse. What Is the Prognosis? In most cases, Shigella infections run their course in 2 to 3 days. Occasionally, complications may develop, including bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), hemolytic uremic syndrome (a disorder characterized by kidney failure and anemia), and Reiter syndrome (painful urination, joint achiness). Prevention If your child attends a child care facility, make sure staff members practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, particularly before food preparation and after diaper changes, and regularly disinfect toys. At home as well as at these child care settings, food should be stored, handled, and prepared according to good sanitation guidelines. People with a diarrheal illness should not be involved in preparing food for others. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: An Informed Parent's Guide (Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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31 | 2018-04-19 03:02:39 | Stomachaches in Children & Teens | Stomachaches in Children & Teens Page Content Article BodyChildren complain of stomachaches for all sorts of reasons—not uncommonly, to stall at bedtime. Or perhaps they’re trying to avoid school. Or maybe their “eyes were bigger than their stomach” and they ate too much for dinner. Recurrent abdominal pain (often simply called stomachache) is common but luckily usually not serious in children. In some cases, no physical cause can be found, and the pain is termed functional or nonspecific pain, possibly related to emotional stress. At times, spasms in the digestive tract may cause pain. A crying child may swallow gas, which can cause abdominal discomfort. What’s essential to remember is that the pain can be real, even though there is no obvious cause. Other Causes of Stomachaches Include the Following: Constipation, although rarely a problem in younger babies, is more common in older children. Urinary tract infections are more common in 1- to 5-year-old girls than in younger children and cause discomfort in the abdomen and bladder area. Strep throat is a throat infection caused by bacteria (streptococci), with symptoms that include a sore throat, fever, and abdominal pain. Appendicitis is very uncommon in children younger than 5 years; the first sign is a complaint of constant stomachache in the center of the abdomen, which later moves down and over to the right side. Milk allergy, a reaction to the protein in milk, produces cramping abdominal pain. Lactose intolerance is when the body lacks the enzyme needed to break down lactose in milk and other milk products. Lactose intolerance is different from a milk allergy and is more common in African American and Asian children. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea or constipation, increased gassiness, and cramping abdominal pain. Emotional upset, particularly in school-aged children, may cause recurrent abdominal pain that seems to have no other cause. When to Call Your Pediatrician: Abdominal pain that comes on suddenly or persists may require prompt attention, especially if your child has additional symptoms, such as a change in his bowel pattern, vomiting, fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher), sore throat, or headache. Even when no physical cause can be found, the child’s distress is genuine and should receive appropriate attention. Call your pediatrician promptly if your baby is younger than 1 year and shows signs of stomach pain (for example, legs pulled up toward the abdomen, unusual crying); if your child aged 4 years or younger has recurrent stomachache; or if abdominal pain awakes him or stops him from getting to sleep. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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32 | 2018-04-19 03:02:45 | Surviving the Stomach Bug: Truths & Tips for Parents | Surviving the Stomach Bug: Truths & Tips for Parents Page Content Article BodyStomach bugs tend to be the nastiest illnesses our children bring home from school. 7 Truths & Tips for Survival of Stomach Bugs When They Hit Your Home Hand washing and keeping things clean are your best defenses from getting ill with a stomach bug. Not surprisingly, this is particularly true after touching or supporting your child and when preparing food and eating. Some viruses will survive on surfaces for days. And some viruses like Norovirus can even survive hand sanitizer. You have to use soap and water to kill it. But even with ridiculous, meticulous attention to hygiene, every parent knows that when the vomit is flying, it’s hard to lasso every single errant particle. So simply commit to do your best. Change the sheets and clean up areas of vomit immediately after supporting your child. Soapy warm water is your friend. Wash surfaces immediately, use hot water for the wash, and use high heat in the dryer. 24 hours (or so): In general, most pediatricians will tell you that vomiting doesn’t exceed 24 hours with typical gastroenteritis. Occasionally it can. Many kids don’t follow the rules. Once a virus that causes gastroenteritis takes hold of a child, vomiting starts. Children tend to vomit more than adults. Part may be an easy gag reflex. With most viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” as the infection moves through the stomach and intestines, vomiting stops after about 24 hours. But not always. If you advance liquids too quickly or children eat more solids than they are ready for, even after the first meal 1 to 2 days into eating again, they may have a vomit encore. If you have one of those, start back where you started (sips of clear liquids) and go very slow advancing their diet. If vomiting is accelerating at 24 hours, it is time to check in with your child’s doctor. Disgusting and terrifying: It’s creepy-eepy to take care of a child with vomiting. Not only is it entirely gnarly and disgusting to remove and clean chunks from vomit-laden carpet, sheets, and clothing, it’s also terrifying to provide support to a vomiting child because you can get equally uneasy about catching the virus. You’re not alone in this. It’s absolutely nauseating to see your own child ill, unwell, and retching. And it’s awful to imagine having to provide care while getting miserably sick. Do your best to keep your hands washed and keep the love going. As all of us know, when you find yourself picking out vomit bits from the carpet at 3:00 am, it really can only get better from there. Medication: Children rarely need medication when recovering from gastroenteritis. Although some antinausea drugs are available for use in children, most children don’t need prescription medications. Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you feel you child is vomiting longer than 24 hours or becoming dehydrated. Remember that vomiting is a protection reaction of your child’s body to clear infection. Soap, water, and bleach: William Osler said, “Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants.” Cleaning your home to avoid spreading infection is a must. You don’t need expensive products, just vigilance. With some highly infectious viruses that cause vomiting, even 10 viral particles can cause illness. So in addition to soap and water, consider using a dilute bleach solution to clean hard surfaces. Detective work: Sometimes you’ll simply never know where it all came from. But it won’t stop you from playing the role of infectious detective. The only issue: this is simply wasted time. Yummy, clingy love: There is an occasional perk to a terrible stomach bug. And we have to find one to maintain a sense of optimism. When our children are ill, they really turn over and show us they want us over anything else on earth. Then there is resilience. Children do very well recovering from typical viral gastroenteritis, although diarrhea can last for days. Even so, our children’s resilience will long astonish us. Additional Information: Stomachaches in Children & Teens Food-Borne Illnesses Prevention Treating Vomiting Diarrhea Drinks to Prevent Dehydration in a Vomiting Child Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care or School Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness Author Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE, FAAP Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Mama Doc Medicine: Finding Calm and Confidence in Parenting, Child Health, and Work-Life Balance (Copyright © 2014 Wendy Sue Swanson) |
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33 | 2018-04-19 03:02:52 | Treating Dehydration with Electrolyte Solution | Treating Dehydration with Electrolyte Solution Page Content Article BodyFor severe dehydration, hospitalization is sometimes necessary so that your child can be rehydrated intravenously. In milder cases, all that may be necessary is to give your child an electrolyte replacement solution according to your pediatrician’s directions. The table below indicates the approximate amount of this solution to be used. *Note: This is the smallest amount of fluid that a normal child requires. Most children drink more than this. Body Weight (lbs) Minimum Daily Fluid Requirements (oz)* Electrolyte Solution Requirements for Mild Diarrhea (oz/24 hrs) 6-7 10 16 11 15 23 22 25 40 26 28 44 33 32 51 40 38 61 Exclusively breastfed babies are less likely to develop severe diarrhea. If a breastfed infant does develop diarrhea, generally you can continue breastfeeding, giving additional electrolyte solution only if your doctor feels this is necessary. Many breastfed babies can continue to stay hydrated with frequent breastfeeding alone. Once your child has been on an electrolyte solution for twelve to twenty-four hours and the diarrhea is decreasing, you gradually may expand the diet to include foods such as applesauce, pears, bananas, and flavored gelatin, with a goal of returning to his usual diet over the next few days as he tolerates. In children over age one, milk can be withheld for one to two days until the diarrhea begins improving. In infants on formula, you can mix the formula with twice as much water as usual to make half-strength formula for a few feeds until the diarrhea seems to be improving and then you can mix it as usual. (Add an equal volume of water to your child’s usual full-strength formula.) As the vomiting and diarrhea improve, an older child may be able to eat small quantities of bland foods such as rice, toast, potatoes, and cereal, and should be moved to an age-appropriate diet as soon as possible. You can continue to give the electrolyte replacement solution if your child likes it or they are not taking usual amounts of their regular fluids. It is usually unnecessary to withhold food for longer than twenty-four hours, as your child will need some normal nutrition to start to regain lost strength. After you have started giving him food again, his stools may remain loose, but that does not necessarily mean that things are not going well. Look for increased activity, better appetite, more frequent urination, and the disappearance of any of the signs of dehydration. When you see these, you will know your child is getting better. Diarrhea that lasts longer than two weeks (chronic diarrhea) may signify a more serious type of intestinal problem. When diarrhea persists this long, your pediatrician will want to do further tests to determine the cause and to make sure your child is not becoming malnourished. If malnutrition is becoming a problem, the pediatrician may recommend a special diet or special type of formula. If your child drinks too much fluid, especially too much juice or sweetened beverages as mentioned earlier, a condition commonly referred to as toddler’s diarrhea could develop. This causes ongoing loose stools but shouldn’t affect appetite or growth or cause dehydration. Although toddler’s diarrhea is not a dangerous condition, the pediatrician may suggest that you limit the amounts of juice and sweetened fluids your child drinks (limiting fruit juice is always a good idea). You can give plain water to children whose thirst does not seem to be satisfied by their normal dietary and milk intake. When diarrhea occurs in combination with other symptoms, it could mean that there is a more serious medical problem. Notify your pediatrician immediately if the diarrhea is accompanied by any of the following: Fever that lasts longer than twenty-four to forty-eight hours Bloody stools Vomiting that lasts more than twelve to twenty-four hours Vomited material that is green-colored, blood-tinged, or like coffee grounds in appearance A distended (swollen-appearing) abdomen Refusal to eat or drink Severe abdominal pain Rash or jaundice (yellow color of skin and eyes) If your child has another medical condition or is taking medication routinely, it is best to tell your pediatrician about any diarrheal illness that lasts more than twenty-four hours without improvement, or anything else that really worries you. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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34 | 2018-04-19 03:02:55 | Treating Vomiting | Treating Vomiting Page Content Article BodyWhat's the best way to treat vomiting? In most cases, vomiting will stop without specific medical treatment. The majority of cases are caused by a virus and will get better on their own. You should never use over-the-counter or prescription remedies unless they've been specifically prescribed by your pediatrician for your child and for this particular illness. When your infant or young child is vomiting, keep her lying on her stomach or side as much as possible. Doing this will minimize the chances of her inhaling vomit into her upper airway and lungs. Watch for Dehydration When there is continued vomiting, you need to make certain that dehydration doesn't occur. Dehydration is a term used when the body loses so much water that it can no longer function efficiently. If allowed to reach a severe degree, it can be serious and life-threatening. To prevent this from happening, make sure your child consumes enough extra fluids to restore what has been lost through throwing up. If she vomits these fluids, notify your pediatrician. Modify Your Child's Diet For the first twenty-four hours or so of any illness that causes vomiting, keep your child off solid foods, and encourage her to suck or drink small amounts of electrolyte solution (ask your pediatrician which one), clear fluids such as water, sugar water (1/2 teaspoon [2.5 ml] sugar in 4 ounces [120 ml] of water), Popsicles, gelatin water (1 teaspoon [5 ml] of flavored gelatin in 4 ounces of water) instead of eating. Liquids not only help to prevent dehydration, but also are less likely than solid foods to stimulate further vomiting. Be sure to follow your pediatrician's guidelines for giving your child fluids. Your doctor will adhere to requirements like those descibed below. Estimated Oral Fluid and Electrolyte Requirements by Body Weight Body Weight (in pounds) Minimum Daily Fluid Requirements (in ounces)* Electrolyte Solution Requirements for Mild Diarrhea (in ounces for 24 hours) 6–7 10 16 11 15 23 22 25 40 26 28 44 33 32 51 40 38 61 1 pound = 0.45 kilograms1 ounce = 30 ml*NOTE: This is the smallest amount of fluid that a normal child requires. Most children drink more than this. In most cases, your child will just need to stay at home and receive a liquid diet for twelve to twenty-four hours. Your pediatrician usually won’t prescribe a drug to treat the vomiting, but some doctors will prescribe antinausea medications to children. If your child also has diarrhea, ask your pediatrician for instructions on giving liquids and restoring solids to her diet. When to Call the Pediatrician If she can’t retain any clear liquids or if the symptoms become more severe, notify your pediatrician. She will examine your child and may order blood and urine tests or X-rays to make a diagnosis. Occasionally hospital care may be necessary. Until your child feels better, remember to keep her hydrated, and call your pediatrician right away if she shows signs of dehydration. If your child looks sick, the symptoms aren’t improving with time, or your pediatrician suspects a bacterial infection, he may perform a culture of the stool, and treat appropriately. Last Updated 8/1/2017 Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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35 | 2018-04-19 03:02:58 | ADHD Medication Daily Routines | ADHD Medication Daily Routines Page Content Article BodyAs the parent of a child with ADHD, you may already be aware of certain times of day that are more difficult than others. If your child has begun taking a stimulant medication, you may notice fluctuations in her attention and behavioral control throughout the day as each dose of medication begins to take effect, works well, and then wears off. With stimulant medications, effects such as behavioral rebound (a short period of irritability or moodiness as the medication is wearing off in about 4, 8, or 12 hours) may lead to difficulties at around dinnertime or bedtime that had not generally occurred before. You can help your child adjust to these changes by observing how and when her emotions and behavior tend to fluctuate each day and arranging her schedule as much as possible to accommodate these ups and downs. If you know, for example, that she is usually somewhat unsettled and irritable for a half hour after her arrival home from school, schedule her homework for after that time. If her medication suppresses her appetite at certain times during the day, schedule meals to avoid these periods. Take special care to prepare her for transitions between activities because these are likely to be especially difficult times for her. Another issue to consider is the way a specific length of time can sometimes feel to your child with ADHD. For a child who struggles with managing her behavior or retaining focus for more than a few minutes at a time, tedious, repetitive, or boring activities can seem exceedingly long and soon become absolutely unbearable. Forcing your child to participate in such an activity (requiring her to sit still for long periods while you chat with a friend, introducing her to clubs or groups that involve little physical action and too much down time, expecting her to pick up all the toys at once in a disorderly room) will probably only lead to failure and the probability of subsequent punishment. Even fun activities can be strenuous in the same way. For example, baseball, which includes long periods of inactivity while on the field, may not be as good an activity for children with ADHD as soccer, which has a much faster and continuous pace. By avoiding such situations or breaking up activities (including homework) into short chunks of time, you can help your child experience success as she struggles to manage her responses. It may also help to let your child know ahead of time how long a particular activity will last, and even to place a timer in view to help her awareness of how much time has passed. If she knows she has already been working on her homework or practicing the piano for more than half the allotted time, she may be able (with your support and coaching) to continue to the end. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide (Copyright © 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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36 | 2018-04-19 03:03:01 | ADHD and Homework | ADHD and Homework Page Content Article BodyOur eleven-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD, has been doing better since she began treatment with stimulant medication. However, we still have trouble getting her organized around homework. We have tried setting up an office in her room, taking away all the distractions, keeping the area quiet, and not allowing the television to go on until all her homework is done. We don’t seem to be making much progress and, in fact, we are all getting even more frustrated because nothing seems to work. Her teachers still complain that work is not getting turned in, and her grades are still suffering in spite of her teacher always telling us how bright she is. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the ideal homework setting. Some children with ADHD work inefficiently in an isolated, quiet setting like their room, and do better in the midst of some action, like at the kitchen table with a radio playing. You might need to try a few different settings until you find the most efficient one. In addition, you might need to figure out if any other factors are making homework difficult. Think about all the steps involved. Does your child know what all the assignments are? Does she bring the materials home that are necessary for doing the work? Does she have a nightly work plan that fits with her learning style? (She might need to schedule breaks between math and English, or between outlining the report and writing the first 3 paragraphs.) Does she have a system to check on whether all the nightly work is done? Is there a system for checking that her completed work gets turned in on the due date? How does she or you know that work is late? Have you or her teacher set up rewards for progress or consequences for late work? Is there a system for her teacher to communicate with you about late work? Once you have gone through this type of systematic list of questions, you can begin to solve the problem in an organized way—and you might discover some simple and obvious solutions. If she is taking stimulant medication and she does her homework primarily at a time after it has worn off, you could consider a short-acting extended dose of medication for the early evening. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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37 | 2018-04-19 03:03:07 | ADHD and Substance Abuse: The Link Parents Need to Know | ADHD and Substance Abuse: The Link Parents Need to Know Page ContentChildren and teens with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely than other kids to smoke, drink, or use drugs. They experiment with all three at younger ages than those children without ADHD. They are also at a greater risk for developing a substance use disorder. However, just because a child has ADHD does not guarantee he or she will have alcohol or drug issues as a teen. The key for parents is to be aware of the link between the two, step-up prevention efforts at home, and seek professional help if a drug problem is suspected. Why Are People With ADHD More Likely to Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?There are several theories as to why ADHD increases the risk for substance use:Impulsivity, poor judgment and school troubles that can go along with ADHD may increase the risk for initiating substance use. There could be a genetic link between ADHD and the vulnerability for developing a substance use disorder. Individuals with ADHD may try to use psychoactive drugs to self-medicate. Early Treatment of ADHD May Decrease the Risk of Substance AbuseThe timing of treatment matters. Children treated at a younger age for ADHD may be less likely to develop substance use disorders compared to those who begin treatment later. Treatment may delay the onset of substance use. Treating mental health disorders that often co-exist with ADHD, such as anxiety and depression, is also important and also increase the risk for substance use. Are Stimulant Drugs for ADHD Addictive? Stimulant mediations are considered "first line" treatment for ADHD. No study has ever found that stimulant treatment increases rates of substance use disorders, however stimulant medications can be misused, abused, or given to others. Close monitoring is recommended to prevent misuse. Your doctor may question you closely if your child loses pills or runs out early as those can be signs of misuse. Some types of ADHD medication are more likely to be misused compared to others. For example, short acting stimulant medications are abused more often than longer acting or non-stimulant medications. Talk to your child's doctor for more information about the risks and benefits of different types of medication used to treat ADHD. Does Your Teen Have ADHD, a Drug Problem, or Both?Alcohol and drug use can cause symptoms that are similar to ADHD, including:Attention problemsDifficulty completing tasksDisorganizationTrouble sleepingPoor appetite Reluctance to socialize with othersLoss of interest in school Discuss any new symptoms or a sudden change in ADHD symptoms during adolescence with your child's doctor. One of the big differences is ADHD starts in early elementary school while most substance use disorders begin in middle school and not first grade.What Parents Can Do:Pay close attention to any change in behavior, even if you think it could be attributed to your child's ADHD. Communicate with your teen about safe and acceptable behavior. Set an example by not misusing alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs yourself.Pay attention to your child's friends. If your child is hanging out with someone who is into drugs, it is very highly likely that your child may be exposed to drugs as well.Talk with your child about the importance of using all medications, including stimulants, exactly as prescribed. Discuss side effects and other concerns with your child's doctor. Sharing, selling, or distributing prescription stimulants is always illegal and is dangerous. Keep a close eye on your teens' ADHD medication, as prescription drug abuse among teens is on the rise. Make sure your child understands that he should never give his medication to anyone. Do not keep the medication in a public place such as in the bathroom or the kitchen or anywhere else people can see it. Make sure it's locked up or put away and monitored. Teach your kids to be responsible for their medication, too. Help her learn to manage her ADHD and to own her condition, and be aware that she is at higher risk for certain problems.Additional Information on HealthyChildren.org: Is Your Child Vulnerable to Substance Abuse? What You Need to Know About Stimulant Medication Drug Abuse Prevention Starts with Parents Article Body Last Updated 6/21/2016 Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2014) |
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38 | 2018-04-19 03:03:12 | Adapting a Style of Communication with Your Child with ADHD | Adapting a Style of Communication with Your Child with ADHD Page Content Article BodyChildren with ADHD frequently experience difficulty participating in elements of sustained and focused day-to-day conversation. But adapting your own style of communication to your child’s needs can help him maintain a connection. When necessary, pause to get your child’s attention (call his name before giving a command), maintain eye contact, and perhaps have him repeat back or explain what you have told him to be sure he has heard and understands. This approach works well not only when issuing commands but also when beginning any sort of conversation with your child. If he tends to interrupt, help him out by keeping your sentences brief and focusing only on what needs to be said. Avoid interrupting him frequently because he may not be able to stay engaged in this type of interaction. If you sense that his attention is wandering, touch his arm, take his hand, or otherwise make physical contact. Some parents find that conversation flows more smoothly if they are also involved in a physical activity with their child, such as washing dishes or making dinner. Finally, if you are telling your child something that you want him to remember, write it down in simple terms or encourage him to write it down himself. Introducing concepts such as “consequences,” “rewards,” and “positive and negative behavior” into the family vocabulary can go a long way toward clarifying communications. Where you might have previously instructed your child to “Go to your room!” following an unacceptable behavior, you can now inform him that his behavior has led to a “time-out”—and by the time you give this command, he will know the exact rules that apply to this term. Specific behavior therapy language strategies, such as when/then statements (“When you finish your homework, then you can go play baseball.”) may also prove useful when interacting with all of your children and can improve communication and morale in the family as a whole. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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39 | 2018-04-19 03:03:18 | Allergies and Hyperactivity | Allergies and Hyperactivity Page Content Article BodyParents often blame candies and other high-sugar foods when children get unruly. Some insist that sugar triggers hyperactivity. However, when put to the test, the sugar-behavior link does not hold up. In a carefully controlled study of preschool and school-aged children, researchers found no effect on behavior or ability to concentrate when sugar intake was far above normal, even among those whom parents identified as “sugar sensitive.” Another study found that sugar had the opposite effect to what was expected—when boys whose parents believed them to be sugar reactive were each given a large dose of sugar, they were actually less active than before. Finally, several studies comparing blood glucose levels have found that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have exactly the same response to sugar consumption as do children without ADHD. There is no scientific basis for claims that sugar and other sweeteners influence behavior or cause ADHD, even at levels many times higher than in a normal diet. The overactivity children show after a birthday party or Halloween may be due more to the stimulation of the event than the sugar. Special Diets Special diets for hyperactivity are based on the belief that allergies or reactions to foods cause undesirable behavior. The diets typically target artificial additives, sugar, or the commonly allergenic foods (ie, corn, nuts, chocolate, shellfish, and wheat). However, there is no evidence that links foods and behavior. Some studies show that chemical preservatives or dyes, presumably through a drug rather than allergic mechanism, might contribute to these problems, but the evidence is weak and not widely accepted by experts. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend special diets for treating hyperactivity. If your child behaves oddly or has unusual symptoms after eating a particular food, it will do no harm to avoid it, provided his diet includes other choices from the same food group. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source Nutrition: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © American Academy of Pediatrics 2011) |
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40 | 2018-04-19 03:03:22 | Applied Kinesiology and ADHD | Applied Kinesiology and ADHD Page Content Article BodyAdvocates of this approach, also known as neural organization technique, believe that learning disabilities are caused by the misalignment of 2 specific bones in the skull—a misalignment that creates unequal pressure on different areas of the brain and leads to brain malfunction. This misalignment is also said to create “ocular lock,” an eye movement malfunction that contributes to reading problems. Treatment consists of restoring the cranial bones to the proper position through specific body manipulations. This theory is not consistent with either current knowledge about the causes of learning disabilities or knowledge of human anatomy. (Standard medical textbooks inform us that cranial bones do not move.) No research has been done to support the effectiveness of this form of treatment. Because it is based on false assumptions concerning the causes of learning disabilities, it is not recommended as a treatment for these disabilities, nor for ADHD. Last Updated 11/21/2015 Source ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide (Copyright © 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics) |
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