 Antibiotic
alert
Most infants and young children will
develop an average of three respiratory infections each year, studies
show. Some infections are the result of viruses and will go away on
their own, but others are caused by bacteria and require antibiotics.
The difference isn’t always obvious and, in some cases, antibiotics
are prescribed when they aren’t needed, says Dr. Karen Jacobson, a
pediatrician with Aurora Advanced Healthcare in Menomonee Falls.
"We want to be aggressive in
treating things like ear infections and upper respiratory
infections," Jacobson explains. The problem is, antibiotics are
only effective against illnesses caused by bacteria, not those caused
by viruses, she says.
"Overuse of antibiotics has
created some resistant strains of bacteria," Jacobson says. These
bacteria have produced a generation of stronger, more resistant
"bugs" or infections. Consequently, some infectious diseases
are no longer responding to antibiotics unless a higher amount of the
drug is used, she says.
Oftentimes, parents will demand
antibiotics for their children, assuming that they are necessary
because they may have been effective for another illness. "They
need the kids to get back to school so they can resume their
routine," Jacobson says. "What they don’t understand is
that antibiotics won’t cure a virus."
That is not to say that doctors no
longer use antibiotics. "We don’t hesitate to use antibiotics
if someone needs them. And, we do want to encourage parents to bring
their child in to get checked, especially if there is a persistent
high fever. Even if antibiotics are not warranted, we may be able to
prescribe pain medication," she says.
 Stress
factors
Their lives may seem carefree on the
surface, but children still experience stress. School and social
situations can sometimes make them feel overwhelmed. And, even though
they may not initiate a conversation about what’s bothering them,
studies show that they want their parents to help them cope with their
feelings.
If you notice that a child is upset or
tense, say something, but don’t accuse the child or put them on the
spot. "When parents see changes in their child’s behavior, they
must address it," says Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
pediatric psychologist Kenneth L. Grizzle.
"It’s important to understand
where a child’s stress is coming from," Grizzle says. He adds
that stress may be a result of having too much to do. "If a kid
is stressed out about school, make sure they are capable of meeting
the expectations we place on them. The pressure to do well in
academics, sports and other activities may get to be too much,"
he adds. On the other hand, some kids feel pressure from within, he
says. "They put the pressure on themselves."
Look at the symptoms, Grizzle says.
"It’s so important for parents to be willing to listen on the
child’s terms," he says. Ask what is wrong and listen calmly
with interest and patience. Avoid the urge to judge or lecture.
Sometimes children don’t feel like
talking about what’s bothering them, so parents must respect that
and still make it clear that they will be there to listen when the
child feels like talking. "Especially with teens, you have to be
willing to leave the situation alone until they are ready to
talk," Grizzle says. However, if a child is withdrawn or losing
interest in things they used to like, it could be a more serious
situation, such as depression. "Maintaining a good relationship
with your children is critical," he says.
 Recognizing
ADHD
All kids get fidgety from time to time.
And, sometimes they have a tantrum. But when these things are the norm
for your child, it could be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, which can be a source of problems at school and at home.
ADHD is a developmental and behavioral
disorder that affects 3 to 5 percent of all school-age children,
according to statistics. "There are three major symptoms of ADHD,
including inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity," says Dr.
Kenneth Grizzle, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin pediatric
psychologist. "Kids often are unable to get started on a task,
they are forgetful and poorly organized, but they will pay attention
to things they like, such as video games, over homework," he
says.
Although the media suggests a
controversy around the over-diagnosis of ADHD, there is no such
controversy in the scientific community, Grizzle says. "The rate
of 3 to 5 percent of children holds pretty consistent across cultures
and over the years," he says.
It is important to know that even
though the exact cause of ADHD is not known, experts do know that
there are changes in the brains of people with the condition. "It
is not caused by home or school situations or by poor parenting,"
Grizzle stresses.
The first step in treating ADHD is not
medication, says Grizzle. "First, work with the teacher and
develop plans to work with the child. Also, speak to your pediatrician
and get his or her opinion," he says. "Most parents have
reservations about their children being on medication, but evidence
shows that medication can be incredibly helpful when combined with
behavioral intervention, and the side effects are relatively
minor," he says. "Studies have shown that it is very
difficult to parent a child who has ADHD and the parents’ skills
improve considerably after the child receives treatment."
 Weighty
issue
The prevalence of overweight children
age 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 7
percent in 1980 to about 19 percent in 2004, according to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control, while the rate among adolescents age 12
to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5 to 17 percent. A number of
factors have contributed to this alarming problem, says Dr. Ramin
Alemzadeh, a pediatric endocrinologist and director of the children’s
diabetic program at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
"Overweight is the result of
eating too much and a lower activity level, but there is a significant
genetic component to obesity, too," Alemzadeh says.
That is why the family — not just the
child — must be a part of the treatment plan, says Dr. Brian Fidlin,
program director of NEW (Nutrition, Exercise and Weight management)
Kids Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. "Kids are
referred to the program by their primary care physicians. A
multidisciplinary team meets with the family to set up a plan to see
what changes we can make," he says.
A large percentage of overweight young
people are at risk for type 2 diabetes or heart disease because of
high blood pressure or high cholesterol. "This is a very serious
problem, and by the time we see someone with weight issues, it is
often late in the game. The problem should have been addressed by
modifying eating behavior years earlier. They must be very
motivated," Alemzadeh stresses.
"Parents might not realize that
some small changes early on can make a big difference. If anyone is
worried about their child’s weight, the first thing I encourage them
to do is to talk to their pediatrician," Fidlin says.
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