It’s not just “selective hearing!” True hearing loss in teenagers has become 30% more common.
A survey performed back in 1988-94 found that 15% of American teens suffered hearing loss, even if slight. Bu a repeat study in 2005-6 showed that the percentage has risen to almost 20%, a 1/3 increase.
Hearing loss is 50% more common [...]
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released professional TV and radio “spots”, encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated on time.
The ads recall a time when many children were crippled or killed by contagious diseases. Grandparents hold their own young grandchildren, while talking about members of their own families who died or were crippled by [...]
Most of the families in my practice accept the usual recommendations for routine immunization. They do so because they understand the benefits, and they can ignore the unfounded fears that some people promote.
Routine vaccination prevents illness. Another recent study has confirmed the value of these shots. In the June 2009 issue of Pediatrics, doctors in [...]
A new website, www.healthychildren.org, has been launched by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It’s excellent! The information is clearly presented, and the topics are very appropriate for families. I highly recommend, for example, the developmental information. Click on www.healthychildren.org and take a look!
– David Epstein, MD
How do you know when your school-aged child can safely come out of the car seat, and use a regular seat belt? It’s longer than you think.
The safety issue relates to the way that the safety belts themselves restrain the child. In order for the belt to restrain the child without causing injury, the belt [...]
We always try to prescribe the least expensive medication available that will treat your child effectively. And we usually use generic medications, which are just as effective as the branded drugs for most children.
But medications can be expensive! Your insurance plan’s drug benefit should help cover the cost, but sometimes there’s a problem.
If you arrive [...]
When patients in the past have asked me whether to give their kids vitamin supplements, my opinion has been lukewarm. Most foods are supplemented with vitamins, even junk food! There’s no harm in a daily supplement, but I have not felt strongly about it.
Until now! Recently, I have seen a steady stream of recent research [...]
A few parents are still asking about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine. Please be reassured! You and your children are much better off with the vaccine than without it.
This is certainly not a “new” vaccine; the H1N1 vaccines are just like the regular seasonal vaccine, made by the same manufacturers, who use the same [...]
We have received our next shipment of H1N1 vaccine. This batch is for infants and toddlers, younger than their 3rd birthday; it’s a shot, “without preservative.” I’ll offer it to infants and kids scheduled for their regular checkups, but you may call for an appointment just for the flu shot.
We’ve only received 100 doses of [...]
Do you believe that the magazines, movies and TV shows your kids watch don’t influence your kids’ behavior? Think again!
Children and teens copy the behaviors they see in the movies and on TV, according to research.
Cigarettes: If the characters in a show are smoking, kids who see the show are more likely to smoke. Research [...]
