View
220
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Children's Hospital & Medical Center
Citation preview
JustKidsSpring 2013ChildrensOmaha.org
SLEEP PROBLEMSCommon in Springtime 8
hEaLthy kOhL’S kidSNutrition and Fitness Resources 10
FaMiLy FitNESSMake Time for It 11
HELP CHILDREN OF ALL AGES FACE THEIR FEARS p6
Your Online Source for Health InfoFor the latest information and news, support groups, events, patient stories, recipes and perspectives from our physicians, check out these online resources:
Facebook.com/ ChildrensOmaha
YouTube.com/ ChildrensOmaha
Twitter.com/ChildrensOmaha
Pinterest.com/ChildrensOmaha
JustKids is published by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. © 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
➍ In Self-Harm, Children Embrace Pain
➎ Patient Profile: How Malicka Found Stardom
➏ Help Children Face Their Fears
➑ Lack of Sleep Is a Common Springtime Problem
➓ Healthy Kohl’s Kids Offers Resources
Make Family Fitness a Walk in the Park
Upcoming Parenting U Classes
Contents
ChildrensOmaha.org JustKids Gary A. Perkins President and CEO Martin W. Beerman Vice President, Marketing
& Community Relations David G.J. Kaufman, MD Medical Advisor Dannee Schroeder Senior Editor
2 To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100
What’sNew?By the Numbershere’s a closer look at the numbers for pediatric trauma at Children’s:
5,900 patients of all ages are
seen each year in the Children’s
Emergency department with a
trauma-related diagnosis.
349 patients under the age of
15 were admitted to Children’s for
trauma-related injuries in 2012.
339 patients under the age of
15 were admitted to Children’s for
trauma-related injuries in 2011.
PLaygROuNd EquiPMENt
FaLLS represent the greatest
percentage of trauma-related
injuries for patients underthe age of 15 admitted
to Children’s for observation
and/or treatment.
Concussions and fractures
RELatEd tO SPORtS are the
2nd highest cause of
trauma hospitalizations, followed
by non-accidental trauma.
The trauma center at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center has been verified as a Level
II Pediatric Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee, an ad hoc committee
of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT). Children’s is
the first and only hospital in Nebraska, and the only hospital serving western Iowa
and northwest Missouri, to receive pediatric trauma verification.
Meeting the “Gold Standard”ACS standards are considered the “gold standard” for trauma centers. Verification is
a voluntary process that requires an intensive review conducted by outside trauma
and medical professionals. ACS-COT Level II Pediatric Trauma Verification recognizes
Children’s pediatric expertise and immediate, 24/7 access to specialists who can
provide the best, most appropriate care for children who suffer an injury.
Better Care, Shorter Stays“Children’s ability to undergo the scrutiny of the verification process and successfully
‘pass’ demonstrates that we are the best place in our region for taking care of pediatric
trauma,” says Shahab Abdessalam, M.D., Children’s pediatric surgeon and co-medical
director of the hospital’s trauma program.
“ACS-COT Trauma Verification is a huge accomplishment,” says Thomas Deegan, M.D.,
Children’s emergency department physician and co-medical director of Children’s trauma
program. “The ACS sets the standards for trauma care and has a very rigid review process.”
Verified pediatric trauma centers are associated with improved trauma survival rates,
fewer surgeries and shorter lengths of stay.
Children’s Is State’s Only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center
Children’S reCeiveS pediatriC trauma verifiCation
ChildrensOmaha.org 3
They may slice their arms and burn their
legs, bang their heads against walls and hit
themselves. And they do it to feel better.
An alarming number of children respond to
their anger and anxiety, depression and general
distress with something called nonsuicidal
self-injury (NSSI). They purposely damage their
skin or body without intending to take their
lives. During or after the act, they often feel
emotional relief.
Forms of NSSI may include cutting,
branding, friction burns (i.e., with an eraser),
skin picking, hair pulling, hitting (with a
hammer or other object), multiple piercing or
tattooing (if pain or stress relief is a factor) or
drinking harmful chemicals. Cutting typically
appears on wrists, forearms, legs, stomach,
hips, thighs and even the chest area.
Children who self-injure have trouble talking
about their feelings, suffer from low self-esteem
or feel hopeless or unworthy. Nearly 8 percent
of sixth- through eighth-graders and up to
21 percent of high-schoolers engage in NSSI,
studies show.
Who’s At Risk?Ninth-grade girls are three times more likely
to engage in NSSI than boys their age. Often
thought to affect mainly teens and young
adults, NSSI is also seen in younger children
at a rate similar to that of early adolescents.
Girls tend to cut or carve their skin. Adolescent
boys hit themselves, as do younger children.
Those who self-harm typically experience
some relief from negative feelings or thoughts
after the act—but not for long. Most are
plagued with shame or guilt as soon as they
realize what they’ve done, and for most, the
urge is frequent.
Watching NSSI videos on YouTube or
reading about it on social networking sites
makes some children want to do it more,
or experiment with it in the first place.
Most videos tell the facts of NSSI without
discouraging it. Many show wounds and
bruises or people cutting or hitting themselves.
NSSI can lead to more serious
psychological problems, including
suicidal thoughts and actions.
Meanwhile, razor blades and
burning cigarettes leave marks
that become permanent scars that
children feel compelled to hide
out of embarrassment or fear.
Why Do Kids Hurt Themselves?Typically, adolescents talk about
engaging in NSSI after some form
of emotional pain or stressor in an
attempt to:
• Externalize pain so it can heal
• Communicate emotional pain
to others (“I need help”)
• Self-soothe
• Regain a sense of control
• Self-punish
The problem is that self-harming
has addictive qualities and is
habit-forming. In addition,
self-harm “works” in the sense
that it can provide temporary
relief, and it may be socially
acceptable in some of their
peer group circles.
Steps Parents Can TakeIf you think your child is engaging in NSSI,
what can you do?
• Watch for signs that your child
may be covering up injuries or scars
(wearing long sleeves or pants in
the summer, covering wrists with
multiple bracelets). Some will damage
tissues that you would not ordinarily
see, such as on the stomach, hips
or thighs.
• Encourage him to share his feelings.
Listen without judgment.
• Help her consider the pros and cons
of self-injury.
• Help him learn positive ways to manage
stress and self-soothe.
• Don’t hesitate to find her a mental
health professional. Children’s Hospital
& Medical Center’s behavioral health
specialists can help you and your child
tackle these difficult issues. If you need
a behavioral health specialist, call the
Children’s Find-A-Doctor service at
800-833-3100.
• Any child engaging in NSSI should
receive an assessment for suicidal
thoughts, as the two can sometimes
become linked.
Self-harm hurts. But with your help, your child can heal.
In Self-Harm, Children Embrace Pain
4 To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100
MaLiCka’S hEaRtHow Children’s Helped This Kindergartner
Go from Struggles to Stardom
Six-year-old Malicka Taffa loves the camera, so the sassy
Children’s heart patient was excited to take part in the
hospital’s latest advertising campaign. Now that
she’s seen the finished product in use, Malicka
loves her newfound fame.
“She thinks she’s a star,” says her mom,
Nafi Dieuguene. “At the school, all the kids
recognize her!”
Not a bad way to go into your
kindergarten year. However, kindergarten
is just one of many milestones that
Malicka’s mom wasn’t always sure
she’d get to experience.
Hidden Health IssueMalicka was born in November 2006, and her
mom remembers it like it was yesterday.
“She was barely 5 pounds—a little bitty
baby,” says Nafi.
While she may have been a little
bitty baby, she was otherwise healthy,
or so Nafi thought, until she noticed
that Malicka’s hands and feet would
turn purple. Malicka also was
colicky and often gasping for air.
After four months of
inconclusive diagnoses, doctors
led them to Children’s, where
cardiologist David Danford, M.D.,
discovered baby Malicka had tricuspid atresia, a heart defect
in which the heart chamber that should pump blood to the
lungs doesn’t develop. Not enough blood was able to flow
from her one remaining chamber to her lungs. Surgery
was her only option.
Heart surgeon Kim Duncan, M.D., operated
to redirect blood flow through her lungs to allow
her to survive with just one pumping chamber.
Malicka’s surgery was successful, leaving mom
and daughter forever grateful for Children’s
intervention in their lives.
“They definitely comforted me. This is the best
place for kids, without a doubt,” says Nafi.
A Happy KindergartnerMalicka and her mom have gone through a lot in
six years. Nafi knows her little girl is a fighter
and says the scar on her chest should serve
as a reminder of the battle fought and won
at Children’s.
Today, Malicka visits Dr. Danford once
a year, but is otherwise occupied with
being a normal, busy 6-year-old. Not only
does she love kindergarten, she loves
being a “celebrity” ambassador for
Children’s.
“She knows the hospital saved
her life,” says Nafi.
ChildrensOmaha.org 5
feature story
Childhood fears are nothing to be afraid of—once you realize they’re a normal part of your child’s development.
6 To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100
any children are afraid of monsters under their
beds. Some are panicked by spiders. Others are
consumed with dread that a natural disaster is
headed their way.
While children’s reactions to their fears
may worry parents, the good news is that most
children go through the same thing. Learning
to master their fears in childhood can help
them deal with greater and more damaging
concerns as adults.
By understanding the basis of childhood
fears, you can help your children face—and
conquer—them.
Age-Related FearsSome fears tend to occur at specific stages of
childhood. For example:
• Infants up to 1-year-old—loud noises, strangers
• 1- to 2-year-olds—separation from parents
• 3- to 4-year-olds—animals, monsters, dark
• 7-year-olds—movie and TV scenarios,
performance in school, dark spaces
• 8- to 9-year-olds—trouble in school,
judgment by friends, disease
• 10- to 12-year-olds—being bullied, criminals,
disasters, parental fury
• 13- to 18-year-olds—body changes, sex,
loneliness, global and national events.
Calming FearsThe most important factor is for parents to
model appropriate behavior. A parent who
models fearful behavior in front of a child
is teaching that child to be fearful. Instead,
parents should try to model calm behavior and
face, rather than avoid, fears. Your children’s
ages, temperament and other factors
will determine the strategies
you use to help them
overcome their fears.
Consider the following suggestions:
•Don’t make fun of your children or disregard
their fears. Acknowledge their concerns and
tell children you can help them.
• Maintain a predictable routine. Knowing
what to expect helps children build confidence.
• Don’t pressure your children to face a fear
before they’re ready. Letting them go at their
own pace gives them a sense of control.
• Provide an explanation of the feared thing
or situation. For example, thunder is a loud
noise, but it can’t hurt you.
•Tell your children how you’ve overcome
some of your own fears.
“Parents should avoid becoming angry with
a fearful child,” says Loren Conaway, Ph.D., a
pediatric psychologist with Children’s Behavioral
Health. “While the parent is aware that the fear
‘does not make sense,’ it is likely very real to the
child. The most loving parent can become
frustrated with childhood fears, but parental
anger only increases a child’s anxiety and distress.
Parents need to remain calm and remember that
most typical childhood fears do fade over time.”
If you know in advance about a situation that
will most likely be emotionally upsetting to
your child, plan ahead. For example, if you’re
taking a vacation without your children, make
sure the babysitter comes to the house a lot
before the vacation.
Easing NightmaresBad dreams and fear of going to bed are
common in childhood, especially among
preschoolers. In fact, they’re a normal stage of
development that reflects a child’s growing
imagination and understanding of the world.
It’s not possible to know for sure the reason a
child has a particular nightmare. Common causes
include going through a scary experience (such as
being in or witnessing a car accident), watching a
frightening or violent TV show or movie or being
sensitive to ongoing family conflicts or tensions.
To ease a young child’s nightmare fears:
• Install a night-light or keep the child’s
door ajar. Sometimes just having a little
light in the room is enough to banish fear.
• Provide a security blanket or soft toy.
Having something familiar to hold on to
helps many children through the night.
• Have your child tell you what she wants
to dream about before bed. Good thoughts
can help positively influence dreams.
• Teach your child some relaxation
exercises. Deep breathing or visualizing
a safe and relaxing place can ease anxiety.
• Play games in the dark. Playing with a
flashlight or using a particular air freshener
to dispel monsters can help make a dark
room less frightening.
• Reassure children that they’re stronger
than the monsters under the bed or in
the closet. Join them in a show of strength
to banish the monsters by yelling at them
or ordering them out of the room.
Listen and acknowledge worries, but help
your child maintain a normal routine. For
example, night-lights are good as long as they
are helpful, rather than disruptive, to sleep,
and your child continues to sleep in his or
her own bed. Fears become a greater concern
when they are controlling a child’s or family’s
routine, and additional intervention may
be necessary.
IS YOuR CHIlD ANxIOuS? The Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Children’s offers specialized diagnostic services and treatment groups for children and youth who have fear or anxiety symptoms. If you think your child and family may benefit, call 1-800-833-3100.
ChildrensOmaha.org 7
Many families like to blame the time change for
those irritable mornings and repeated attempts to
wake up the kids. There’s no doubt that lack of sleep
can be a common springtime problem for children,
adolescents and teenagers.
“This time can be considered a high-risk period
when it comes to sleep deprivation for our children,”
says psychologist Brett Kuhn, Ph.D., a behavioral
sleep medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital &
Medical Center in Omaha. “They are busy with
activities and with the nicer weather and extra hour
of sunlight in the evening, kids tend to go to bed
later. Yet, they still have to be up at their regular
time in the morning for school.”
He calls the next two months—through the end
of the school year—a “challenging time” for parents
and says it can be difficult to make sure our children
are getting enough sleep.
“We make sure our children are vaccinated, and
that they have good nutrition and exercise, but we
tend to forget about sleep as a significant factor in
growth and development. We need to make sleep
a priority,” he reminds families.
Chronic sleep deprivation can affect mood and lead
to a lack of focus. It also can weaken the immune
system’s ability to fight off illness. Behavioral
problems can become worse in children already
prone to having emotional outbursts or other issues.
How Much Is Enough?Average sleep requirements differ by age.
• 2-year-olds need about 12.5 hours of sleep,
nighttime and naps combined.
• 10-year-olds should get 10 hours of sleep
per night.
• Adolescents need about 9.25 hours.
“The large majority of teenagers need a little more
than nine hours of sleep per night, but research
suggests they are getting much less—seven to
seven and a quarter hours of sleep on school
nights,” says Dr. Kuhn.
Here are some ways to help your children
get the sleep they need:
• Make bedtime quiet time. Relaxing before
bedtime helps sleep come more easily.
Have your child read or take a warm bath.
• Turn off the TV and videos at least one hour
before bedtime.
• Do not allow children to have foods or drinks
that contain caffeine, such as soda and
chocolate. They can interfere with sleep.
While things like television, video games and
computers can interfere with or delay sleep,
Dr. Kuhn points out that a consistent wake-up
time, even on weekends, can be helpful when
it comes to managing better sleep routines.
“It is okay to sleep in some on the weekends,
but we want to try and maintain a reasonable
wake-up time. This is how we help our bodies
adjust to schedule changes and stay in sync,” he
explains. “It is okay to have a brief nap later in the
day. This is better than excessive oversleeping.”
The Snoring FactorA study of grade-school children showed that
those who snored most nights were at least
twice as likely to have trouble academically.
They scored lower on tests and report cards
than did non-snorers.
Why? For one thing, a child who snores may
not sleep well. A tired child may misbehave, have
a short attention span or fall asleep during class.
Children who snore also are more likely to have
trouble hearing. The root of the problem is often
swollen adenoids or tonsils—a source of snoring,
as well as constant ear infections in many children.
better sleep
DOES YOuR CHIlD HAVE SlEEP PROBlEMS?
Children’s hospital & Medical Center offers a Sleep disorders
Center specifically focused on children and adolescents
with serious sleep issues. For more information visit
Childrensomaha.org/SleepCenter.
Need More Sleep?Lack of Sleep is a Common Springtime Problem for kids
8 To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100
ChildrensOmaha.org 9
live well
When it comes to eating right and exercising, making healthy choices can be
a tough task for children and parents alike. But with tools and support from
the new Healthy Kohl’s Kids program, that challenge just a got a little easier.
What Is Healthy Kohl’s Kids?Healthy Kohl’s Kids is a partnership between Children’s Hospital & Medical
Center and Kohl’s Department Stores focused on educating children and
families on the importance of good nutrition and fitness. The program’s
website, www.HealthyKohlsKids.com, features up-to-date fitness and
nutrition information and advice for children and parents. The site also
contains an extensive library of healthy recipes with how-to videos of
young chefs making nutritious meals and snacks.
Children and parents are encouraged to explore the site together to share
the joy of cooking and to establish positive lifestyle habits that children
can take with them as they grow. Visit the site often—new fitness tips
and nutrition ideas are added regularly.
Navigating the Healthy Kohl’s Kids recipe library is easy. Under the
Recipes tab, simply choose from one of the categories, which include recipe
ideas for everything from snacks to vegetarian options, or use the search bar
to find a specific dish. Click on “How 2 Cook” for videos containing cooking
lessons and tips for your young chef.
Building CommunityHealthy Kohl’s Kids invites parents to engage via social media on Facebook,
Pinterest and Twitter (@HealthyKohlsKid). Share your own healthy recipes,
activity ideas and fitness- and nutrition-related links, and receive updates
about future Healthy Kohl’s Kids events.
The Healthy Kohl’s Kids van will make a number of visits this spring
and summer to Omaha-area Kohl’s Department Stores to promote healthy
lifestyles among families. The stops will include fun giveaways for children
to help encourage them to be active and exercise. Watch the Healthy Kohl’s
Kids website for times and locations of upcoming Kohl’s store visits.
Healthy Kohl’s Kids Gives You Nutrition and Fitness Resources
10 To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100
MakE FaMiLy FitNESS a WaLk iN thE PaRk
Pricey gym memberships. Boring treadmills. Muscle-bound weightlifters. If that’s your idea of exercise, think again.
Picking berries, flying a kite and going to family day at the park are all fun outdoor activities that double as workouts. Doing them regularly can help your family stay healthy.
Families Should Play TogetherYour children need about an hour of physical activity per day. They learn by watching you. So, plan ways to stay moving as a family.
You might not think your family has time to exercise. But think about all the things you do instead. Then, find a way to fit in fitness. For instance, turn off the TV after dinner and go for a walk. Bike instead of drive to get library books.
Enjoy the Great OutdoorsExercise makes you stronger, keeps your weight in check, and improves your balance. Taking your family’s workout outside gives you even more benefits. You can connect with nature and so can your children. You’ll be happier, less stressed and more tuned in to the world around you.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun outside. Some of the best activities are free. Try taking a hike through your local park. Or organize a game of tag in your front yard. Watch local calendars for family-friendly events.
JOIN THE FuN!Learn more about the healthy kohl’s kids program at www.healthyKohlsKids.com. the website features how-to videos of young chefs making healthy meals and snacks, and it enables people to share recipe and exercise tips via Facebook, twitter and Pinterest.
ChildrensOmaha.org 11
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center
8200 Dodge StreetOmaha, NE 68114402-955-5400
881MChildrensOmaha.org
SuBSCRIBE NOW To subscribe to health-e kids, our free monthly e-newsletter, visit ChildrensOmaha.org and click on the e-newsletter icon located on the right side of the home page.
eNewsletterSign-up
tuesday, april 9 Surviving the trying 2sMichelle Mogenson, d.O., F.a.a.P. Children’s Physicians
tuesday, april 16Sibling rivalryamy Lacroix, M.d., F.a.a.P. Children’s Physicians
tuesday, april 23 preparing for Your newbornJennifer Smith, M.d., F.a.a.P. Children’s Physicians
tuesday, april 30mastering potty trainingkatie anglim, M.d., F.a.a.P. Children’s Physicians
Here for You: Parenting U Classes This SpringWith the arrival of a child, there are some things you learn automatically, like how little sleep an adult actually needs to function, the importance of sippy cups and that polar bears may be hiding in your closets.
For other lessons, including the skills to get through those all-important first years, there’s Parenting u from Children’s hospital & Medical Center, FREE classes given by professionals known for their knowledge of children. along with a new topic each week, we’ll provide food, child care and prizes.
Each session will be held in the glow auditorium at Children’s hospital & Medical Center from 6 to 7 p.m. Call 1-800-833-3100, or log onto Childrensomaha.org/parentingu to register today.
PaRENtiNg u uPCOMiNg datES