Tuesday, May 22, 2012
By Daniel Krowchuk, M.D., Pediatrician and Co-Director of Pediatric Dermatology, Brenner Children’s Hospital
One of the more vexing skin problems affecting children is molluscum contagiosum. What is it and what can be done about it?
Molluscum contagiosum (“molluscum”) is a viral infection of the skin. For reasons that are not known, molluscum is becoming more common. It is spread by close physical contact (skin-to-skin) or by contaminated objects, like a towel or wash cloth. Although very controversial, there is some evidence that molluscum may be spread via swimming pools. Any child may get molluscum but those who have eczema seem to be particularly prone. Read More
Feeling uncomfortable about being separate from mom and dad, or “separation anxiety” is most commonly thought to be something that impacts preschool children and kindergarten age. It does, but also common is the onset around 4th grade. It catches parents off guard because they think they are done with this sort of thing. 
It absolutely cracks me up when I hear people say, “Oh, I just loved being pregnant! I felt so full of life and always had a glow about me!” I have no way of relating to those statements. For me, there was definitely not a glow … I was usually white as a ghost because I was nauseous or about to throw up. I also had that horrible pain down the side of my inner thigh, awful back pain, and I felt like I waddled for the last three months. 
My two-year-old claims that her favorite food is brussel sprouts. I’m not convinced that she really likes them more than Chick-fil-A waffle fries, but she does like them. It may be the yummy way my husband cooks them (see recipe at the end of this blog), but it is also because so far she is not a picky eater. In my pediatric practice, older patients frequently turn up their noses when I ask if they eat some fruits and vegetables every day, and parents almost daily ask how to get their kids to eat more than chicken nuggets, french fries, and pizza. I believe that it is possible to prevent a picky eating habit and to change one already there. 
Well...I'm a little nervous as I type this post. Those of you who were with us in January may remember my "Some days are better than others" 
If I've learned one thing in my short life as a mom, it's the need to take things in stride. This should be the number one prerequisite for our job as "Mom." From the moment we become pregnant, it’s like a certain hormone kicks in and makes us all worry warts. We can’t help it, it just happens. That sense of worry seems to grow as fast as our babies grow. And all the information we receive – whether we ask for it or not – from doctors, teachers, our parents, society, friends, other moms, neighbors, you name it – is just fuel to the fire.
My first child was a boy, so since he was born, I have always taken him into the Ladies’ Restroom with me when we are out in public. He just turned six, and I guess I got so used to doing this that it never really crossed my mind that there will come a point when he needs to go into the Men’s Room alone. My family went out for dinner a few months ago, and when I got up to use the restroom my son said he had to go as well, so we trotted off together to the ladies room. When we got back my husband immediately said, “You can’t do that anymore! He is way too old to be in there with you!” For the first time I had to stop and think, “How old is too old?” 
"Seventeen." That is the first thought I had yesterday when an old, dear friend called to tell me she is expecting a baby in June. "I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed, yet in my head, I was thinking "seventeen." You see, she is the seventeenth person who has had a successful pregnancy since I had a miscarriage last August. Seventeen! It's like a joke. It was especially ironic since I'd just been to the doctor that morning to discuss my fertility options. Deep breath... 
“Just pee in the cup and we’ll go get ice cream as soon as we leave here.” I find myself negotiating with my five-year-old daughter, Claire, who is refusing to provide a specimen at the pediatrician’s office. “This won’t take long. We just need to see if you have an infection.” She finally cooperated, through her tears. She was a bit out of sorts, not her usual bubbly, cooperative self. 
If you have children, then your life has been touched by the 
One of a mother's first decisions is "Should I breastfeed my new baby?" There are many opinions as to what choice a new mom should make. As a pediatrician and neonatologist, I am always encouraging new mothers to breastfeed their infants. In my opinion, it’s one of the most important first decisions a new mom makes and can significantly impact how a baby develops and grows. 
Many parents worry at some point whether their child is developing normally and when they should be concerned about sitting up, walking, talking and interacting with others. It is commonly stated that children, and particularly siblings, should not be compared to each other. However, because children’s developmental skills develop in an orderly and predictable manner, it is quite possible and appropriate to compare children to the skill set they should have at any age and to be aware of developmental “red flags”. 
Spring has sprung! The weather has been beautiful lately and nothing made me happier than the fact that my children played outside for literally seven hours on Saturday! They have usually been the type to beg for TV or Wii after just 20 minutes of being outside, but they are slowly starting to realize that a day with nothing to do can be terrific! Neighbors came over and they played on the swingset, made up obstacle courses, played "dragon slayer," zoo keeper, and many other made-up games. My hope is that this will continue throughout the spring and summer months! 
Although you will hope to never stay in this house, if fate determines that you do so, it is a place that will quickly feel like home. I had the pleasure of touring the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem this past weekend. An addition was recently put on the existing house and it is nothing short of gorgeous.
I would like to introduce you to our Guest Blogger today, Emily Halsey. Emily graduated with a BS in Communication Disorders and a minor in Psychology from ASU, and then went on to receive her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University. She has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for the past 12 years in three different cities - Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Fayetteville, Arkansas - in school systems as well as with private speech and language centers - and with patients of all ages from children to seniors. She has also provided evaluation and remediation services for clients who had a wide variety of speech-language disorders, additionally patients whose diagnoses included autism, cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental delay, and legally blind.
Everyone has a different strategy when it comes to potty-training your children. I have even heard of different tactics for boys vs. girls. Today, we are going to get a doctor's perspective on the entire issue. I hope some of these ideas from Dr. Hodges will help you when it comes time to train your little one.
I knew my daughter had a small bladder when we potty trained her at age three. All my friends were telling stories of their children, the “camels” who were going hours and hours without ever having to go on the potty. This was so foreign to me. My daughter easily went every 30 minutes. Gradually, her bladder matured and she can now make it several hours without going. 
Technology … a word that evokes both fear and awe. It is bigger than our understanding of it and it will always grow faster than we can possibly keep up. I myself, have little expertise when it comes to technology. I’m learning at a pace much slower than my children, but I suppose that makes me normal. The internet is a place I sense my own fear about the things that hardly ever happen but can, and yet is the first place I turn to for unanswered questions. So how do we live in a relationship with technology and role model for our children the appropriate way to do so? 
Surgery! Parents react to the news that their child will need an operation with a wide range of emotions, but let's face it, no one is happy to hear the "S" word when it comes to their child. Moms and dads would have an operation a thousand times over if it could spare their child from needing an operation at all. Being prepared can help manage the stress of an inherently stressful time. How can you get ready if your child needs an operation? 
Does my child have ADHD? How is it treated? And what can I do to help my child do his/her best? These are questions parents often ask.
Happy Fathers’ Day! We hope that all of our readers are enjoying this day with the dads in their lives. Since today is all about dads, we thought it was a perfect time to run a guest blog from a dad whom I truly admire, Dr. William Satterwhite. He is our pediatrician at Twin City Peds, and always seems to have the best advice. I hope you enjoy his story below and enjoy an everlasting day of your own! - RH
I honestly believe that some people are put on this earth to inspire and help others. After hearing Monica’s story and the optimism she exudes, I believe she is one of these people. Monica McGuire lives in High Point with her husband of 5 years, James, and her adorable 3 year-old son, Connor. James is an occupational therapist and Monica formerly worked as a registered nurse, but is now enjoying her role as a stay-at-home Mom where she gets paid in hugs, kisses, and smiles. We are happy to have her as a guest blogger today to share her story. Monica has encouraged any parent who may be facing a situation similar to hers, to reach out to her. A link to her blog is at the end of this post, and we encourage you to take a peek and follow along their journey. ... Rachel 
Last spring, the tooth fairy came really, really early to our house, and unfortunately it wasn’t cause for celebration. My then-14-month-old son lost his two bottom front baby teeth when his high chair (at a restaurant) tipped over and he had to be rushed to the emergency room. When we arrived, his teeth – root and all – were dangling from his gums but they hadn’t completely fallen out. I was initially told there was a chance the doctor could save his teeth by splinting them. But after careful X-rays and further examination, they decided to remove the teeth while reassuring me that there was no further trauma to his permanent teeth. 
