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Preface and Introduction

Continuity Clinic Notebook:

Preface and Introduction:
Reviews of Each Talk Given in the First 3 Quarters of 2001-2002

After-Hours Phone Calls - What Do You Do?

Chapter I. The Prenatal and Well Child Visit:
The Prenatal Visit, Nursery and Well-Child Examination Issues

Chapter II. The Evaluation of the Sick Children

Chapter III. Adolescent Issues

Chapter IV. Ethics, Dealing with Death

Chapter V. Other Aspects of Private Practice, Business, Managed Care

Appendix: Well-Child Forms

 

2nd Quarter Review: January 2002

Breastfeeding: First week: advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding. 

  • Advantages: protection from infection: diarrhea, otitis, respiratory such as bronchiolitis, meningitis, sepsis; protection from allergy, SIDS, NEC; higher IQ (more protein particularly for preterm); protection for mother: breast/ovarian cancer.
  • Problems: local tenderness, engorgement, mastitis, jaundice, hypernatremic dehydration, FTT, caries, rickets.
  • Contraindications: HIV, galactosemia, tb, psychosis, neurosis, syphilis, malaria; medications: limited – reference Sept 2001 pg 776; drugs oabuse, cytotoxic drugs; give with caution: lithium, Phenobarb, primidone, antidepressants, antipsychotics.
  • Discussed meds and reference in September Peds 2001 describing which few medications are contraindicated in breastfeeding (cytotoxic drugs, drugs of abuse, a few to be concerned about).

Breastfeeding:  Second week: Frequently asked questions:

  • 3 phases of bf (colostrums: 0-5 days; transitional: 5-15 days; mature > 15 days.  Discussed foremilk and hindmilk of mature milk – latter: more calories, protein. 
  • Frequency of nursing: 10-15 minutes/side; how often: 2-2 ˝ hours between nursing; do not supplement until 3 weeks of age; how to combine formula and breastfeeding; how to wean.
  • Role of pediatrician in promoting breastfeeding (AAP policy statement 1997)

The Confusing World of Vitamins:

  • 54% of children in the US take supplemental vitamins.
  • Therapeutic effectiveness of Vits A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E, K and Folate reviewed.
  • Focus of Vitamin E in its role as an antioxidant for heart-healthy behavior and Folate in its role in reducing level of homocysteine (elevated in premature heart disease, stroke); this now being questioned.
  • Internet addresses – merging with herbs, other “naturally” occurring products.
  • What do we need to tell parents?  Routine supplementation is not indicated except in dark-skinned breastfed babies not getting much sunlight

Varicella Vaccine:

  • Now required in state of Georgia for school, so will increase; however in 1999: only 59% had received this vaccine. 
  • Effectiveness: 100% of serious infections prevented (such as necrotizing fasciitis), but total effectiveness: 80% - ie 20% get mild infection despite vaccine.
  • Give vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to varicella: effective prophylaxis.  
  • Side effects: cutaneous varicella in 4-5% about 5-26 days after shot – mean number of lesions = 5 versus natural infection: 250-500 lesions.  Can also get modified Varicella – about 10-100 lesions. 
  • Contraindications: pregnancy, immunosuppression, salicylate use, steroids (2 mg/kg of prednisone) over 14 days in a row; after VZIG or IVIG or blood products.

Sleep: discussion of average numbers of hours baby sleep, when they take naps and how that changes with age: 2 naps 2 hrs each 3mos-12mos; 1-2 naps totaling 2 hours 12-18 months; 1 nap for 1 hour between 2 and 3 years of age.

  • Sleep disturbances discussed: risk factors include co-sleeping, parental over-responsiveness; social stresses, medical disorders such as colic.
  • Treatment of sleep disorders: 4 age groups (under 2 months of age – most babies don’t sleep so no interventions usually needed for them):
    • 2 mos – 6 mos: feed 10PM and 6 AM not 7-8 PM; have child out of bedroom by 2 months of age.
    • 6 mos – 2 years: Ferber program.  Keys:
      • put down awake only
      • follow time interval instructions in chart
      • never pick up, change diapers, etc; 2-3 minutes/visit only
    • 2 – 5 years: control issues.  Use behavior modification techniques; may need to give meds to get sleepy for 4-5 days, or even eventually latch the door.
    • Over 5 years of age: nightmares, night terrors, phobias, school problems.

Pneumococcal Vaccine:

  • Review of Prevnar recommendations: under age 2; over age 2: different program depending on when start the series.
  • Anticipated effects: dec otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis
  • Role of Polysaccharide Vaccine (23 serotypes): over age 2: high risk – 2 shots

Teething:

  • Produces only irritability, drooling, facial rashes – no evidence that is associated with diarrhea or fever. 
  • Use only Tylenol or Ibuprofen; teething rings OK but don’t refrigerate first (cold panniculitis can result).  Sugar on pacifier may help, but the following also get used: chamomilla tea, viscous lidocaine, teething powders, paregoric, orajel, whiskey on pacifier, Phenobarbital.

Tooth Eruption:

  • Rule of 4’s: 4 teeth by 1 year then 4 teeth per 4 months after that up to 28 months.  
  • Avulsed deciduous tooth: no treatment needed; avulsed permanent tooth: transport in milk, water, saline – do not scrub the tooth; bruised tooth – look for abscess development: gumboil. 
  • Eruption blisters are normal and need no treatment; mucoceles on lips usually no treatment needed. 
  • Don’t suture lacerated tongue unless through and through injury;
  • Pediatrician should refer children with lacerations that cross the vermilion border.

Car Seats: Child faces back in back seat until 20 pounds and 1 year of age; booster seat at age 4 years; seat belt until age 7-8; back seat until age 12.  Learn how to install them!

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D., 
jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004