just kids | summer 2015

Keep Kids Healthy with

Vaccines p6

SERVICE EXPANSIONWeight Management Clinic in Lincoln 2

GET MOVINGOlder Kids Need More Exercise 4

bREATH Of fRESH AIRFind Relief for Allergies 8

JustKidsSummer 2015ChildrensOmaha.org

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➍ 3 in 4 Teens and Tweens Don’t Get Enough Exercise

➎ Monster Mash Walk/Run

➏ Keep Kids Healthy with Vaccines

➑ Children’s Allergy & Immunology Clinic: A Breath of Fresh Air for Kids

➓ How to Avoid ‘Mom Always Liked You Best’

➓ Parenting U

Pacifiers Are Beneficial for Babies

Sports Medicine Clinic Tackles Concussion Treatment

Contents

ChildrensOmaha.org JustKids Gary A. Perkins President & CEO Martin W. Beerman Vice President, Marketing

& Community Relations David G.J. Kaufman, MD Medical Advisor Dannee Schroeder Senior Editor

To help even more area children maintain a

healthy lifestyle, Children’s Hospital & Medical

Center’s HEROES (Healthy Eating with Resources,

Options and Everyday Strategies) weight

management program has expanded to Lincoln.

Combining medical management, nutrition,

exercise, behavior modification and therapy,

HEROES is the only multi-disciplinary obesity

treatment program in the region designed

specifically for pediatric patients.

Obesity is a national epidemic that increasingly

impacts children and teens. Approximately 13.5

percent of children between the ages of 2 and

5 and 31.5 percent of children ages 10 to 17 in

Nebraska are overweight or obese.

Karla Lester, M.D., serves as the pediatrician

for the Lincoln HEROES program. She is

joined by a multi-disciplinary team of

specialists including a dietitian, exercise

consultant, nurses, psychologist and social

worker. Together, they are dedicated to helping

children succeed and develop skills needed to

manage weight.

Dr. Lester says she is proud to work for

a program that empowers children to live

a healthier lifestyle.

“I am passionate about making a difference

in the lives of young patients suffering from

obesity,” Dr. Lester says. “Children’s program is

comprehensive and truly one of a kind, so I’m

pleased to be a part of expanding this medical

service to the children and families of Lincoln.”

Obesity is a chronic disease, and Children’s

HEROES program provides long-term solutions.

Each patient receives an individualized

treatment plan that includes clinic visits

to monitor progress, weekly nutrition and

behavioral modification classes, fitness

classes and support groups.

Parents who are concerned about their child’s

weight and health should first visit with their

child’s primary care provider, who can refer the

child to the HEROES program if appropriate.

Dr. Karla Lester, Children’sSpecialty Physicians

CHIldHOOd WEIGHT MANAGEMENT ClINIC EXPANdS TO lINCOlN

2 To find a provider, call 1.800.833.3100

What’sNew?

Well-reSted and reWarded: Sleep Center earnS aCCreditation

ChilDreN NeeD Their ZZZ’S!

If you suspect your child is having trouble sleeping, call Children’s

Sleep Center at 1.800.833.3100.

Dr. Casey Burg, Children’s Specialty Physicians

Sleep is essential to a child’s growth and

development. It’s so important that not getting

enough of it can affect mood, academic

performance and general health. When counting

sheep is not enough to help a child get good,

sound sleep, Children’s Hospital & Medical

Center’s Sleep Center offers specialized care to

treat a wide variety of pediatric sleeping problems.

Now the only pediatric program accredited

by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

in the region, the Sleep Center at Children’s

displays and maintains proficiency in testing,

procedures and policies, patient safety and

follow-up care, as well as physician and staff

training. Children’s Sleep Center is the gold

standard for ensuring that a sleeping condition

doesn’t become a waking nightmare.

To help children get the sleep they need,

Sleep Center Medical Director Casey Burg,

M.D., and his staff treat a variety of conditions,

including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, snoring and

restless leg syndrome.

Children are often referred to the Sleep

Center by their pediatrician or other pediatric

specialists. In many cases, sleep problems can

be effectively managed and treated in the clinic

through one or a combination of therapies,

including lifestyle and behavioral changes,

medication management, continuous positive

airway pressure (CPAP) and/or surgical

recommendations.

Children’s newly-accredited Sleep Center

continues to provide excellent care and works

to increase awareness of sleep as an important

factor for health and quality of life for

children in the region.

“Sleep is such an important part of

children’s health,” says Dr. Burg. “It deserves

the attention of a qualified and certified

sleep center like ours.”

ChildrensOmaha.org 3


3 in 4 Teens and Tweens

Don’t Get enouGh exerCiSeDuring tween and teen

years, kids who once ran

around the playground for

fun might now have lost

interest in physical activity.

Between studying, spending

time with friends and family

and then starting first jobs, adolescents have

little time in their schedules to lace up their

sneakers for a visit to the gym. However, it’s

during these formative years that tweens and

teens are starting habits that will affect their

health for the rest of their lives, but a new

survey found that only one in four meet daily

fitness recommendations.

Conducted by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC), the survey

found less than 25 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds

exercise at least an hour every day. This is

despite the fact that government guidelines

say youth should get at least 60 minutes of

moderate to vigorous activity daily.

Most Teens Are Somewhat ActiveWhile only a quarter of tweens and teens are

getting an hour of exercise per day, the CDC

found that it was rare for teens to be completely

inactive. The key is to get them active early and

continue to encourage the behavior.

Kids who started out enjoying sports and

exercise tend to stay active throughout their

lives long-term. During their teen years,

they may just need a little encouragement.

Considering that teenagers spend more than

seven hours per day plugged in to TVs, cell

phones, computers and video games, the lag

in physical activity may easily be fixed through

a readjustment of priorities.

Given the opportunity and interest, tweens

and teens find health benefits from a myriad

of activities, including skateboarding, yoga,

swimming, dancing or participation in

afterschool sports. Whether your teen isn’t aware

of the full benefits of exercise or is struggling to

find a way to get started with a fitness regimen,

parents can help their somewhat-active teens

learn to sweat for 60 minutes each day.

“I think it’s true that physically active

families tend to be healthier – physically,

mentally and socially – than sedentary

families. I encourage my patients to choose

fun, not necessarily competitive activities,” says

Patrick Specht, M.D., Children’s Physicians.

exercise Offers Kids Many BenefitsPhysical activity improves children’s mental

and physical well-being. Exercise builds

strong bones and lowers the risk for obesity,

diabetes and heart disease. Self-esteem and

concentration may also improve with

regular activity.

To make the most of these remaining

warm summer days, encourage your family

to go outside and move. How about a game

of one-on-one basketball? Or a walk around

the park? Parents can help their teen work

up to 60 minutes of exercise a day by

following these tips:

• Be an active role model. Show your

personal commitment to fitness, and don’t

be a “do as I say, not as I do” parent.

• To respect their drive for independence,

give teens control over how they

decide to be active and just emphasize the

importance of regular physical activity.

• Provide equipment, transportation or companionship to support your kids’

fitness choices and goals.

• Make workouts enjoyable. Help your

teens find an activity they find fun and will

look forward to doing again and again.

Given the opportunity and interest, tweens and teens find health benefits from a myriad of activities, including skateboarding, yoga, swimming, dancing or participation in afterschool sports.

Dr. Patrick SpechtChildren’s Physicians

to schedule an appointment with Dr. Specht or any of our board-certified Children’s Physicians providers, call 1.800.336.0304.

leArN MOre ONliNe WiTh heAlThY KOhl’S KiDSThe Healthy Kohl’s Kids program can help you find fitness activities for your children at www.HealthyKohlsKids.com. The website features up-to-date fitness and nutrition info, and advice for children and parents. Healthy Kohl’s Kids invites parents to engage via social media on facebook, Pinterest and Twitter (@HealthyKohlsKid).


teen health


SCare aWay

CHildHood obeSity at monSter

maSH WalK/runTo get your tween or teen up and moving, encourage them to

participate in the Monster Mash Walk/Run on Sunday, oct. 11

at Rockbrook Village. Presented by Suburban Rotary and Children’s

Hospital & Medical Center, all proceeds from the 1

Mile Walk, Kids dash and 5K Run benefit Children’s

childhood obesity prevention programs. All ages are welcome. bring the family and wear your Halloween costumes. for

more information, visit monstermashomaha.com.


prevention


Watching your child get a shot isn’t easy.

It’s even harder if you have fears or concerns

about the safety or necessity of the vaccine.

As a parent, you want what’s best for your

child. Vaccines are a safe way to help your

little one grow up healthy and happy.

Immunizations protect infants and children

early in life before they’re exposed to

diseases that can be serious or even deadly.

“I encourage parents to have a dialogue

with their child’s pediatrician about

vaccines. Parents and physicians are both

working toward the same goal—to keep

children healthy,” says Rachel McCann, M.D.,

Children’s Physicians. “If parents have

concerns about potential side effects,

pediatricians can provide them with

accurate information regarding these issues.”

Vaccines contain a dead or weakened form

of the disease-causing virus or bacteria. These

enable the body to produce antibodies that

protect the child from the disease. Each

vaccine has undergone long and careful review

by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for

safety before they were approved for use. You

will receive more information on each vaccine

from your child’s pediatrician, including the

benefits of each immunization.

Vaccines also protect others you care

about, like your neighbors and friends.

Maybe you know someone with a weak

immune system because of cancer

treatments. Or, maybe your sister just had


KEEP KIdS HEAlTHy WitH

VaCCineSa baby who’s too young to be fully

vaccinated. Getting your child vaccinated

reduces the chance that these people will

be exposed to diseases.

Why Vaccines?Recommended for young children, vaccines

help protect kids against serious infections

before their immune systems are fully

mature. These serious illnesses can be caused

by viruses or bacteria, which can include

pneumonia, ear and sinus infections,

meningitis, respiratory illnesses and severe

rashes. Illnesses immunizations protect

children from include:

• Pneumococcal diseases

• Chickenpox

• Measles, mumps, rubella

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

• Polio

• Hepatitis A and hepatitis B

• Rotavirus

While the risk for serious complications

from vaccines is so small it’s too difficult

to even document, some children have

minor side effects like a slight fever or

swelling at the injection site. Claims that

vaccines cause autism or other diseases have

been carefully researched and disproved.

The disease-prevention benefits of getting

immunizations are much greater than

possible minor side effects.

how Can Vaccines help?Certain diseases, such as measles and mumps,

may seem like enemies of the past. That’s

because vaccines have eliminated some

diseases in the U.S. But that doesn’t mean

they no longer exist in other countries.

Continuing to vaccinate children is the only

way to help keep these illnesses away.

You may have heard about whooping

cough in the news. In 2012, there were more

than 41,000 cases of whooping cough in the

U.S., and 18 people died. Most were children

younger than 3 months of age. This is likely

due to a drop in vaccination rates in certain

areas. If you’re pregnant, be sure to get your

Tdap vaccine between weeks 27 and 36 of

pregnancy. It will help protect your newborn

against whooping cough until it’s time for

your infant to start receiving vaccines.

With school starting again, it’s important

for parents to make sure their children

are up-to-date on vaccines as classes start.

Immunizations will keep your child safe

from contracting or spreading illnesses

throughout the school year.

Dr. rachel McCannChildren’s Physicians


FiND The riGhT PrOViDerSelecting a provider who’s a good fit for your family is important. you—and your child—should feel comfortable with the provider. To find the right one for you and your family, call the Children’s Physicians find-A-Provider service at 1.800.336.0304.

asthma and allergies

CHildren’S allergy &

immunology CliniC:A Breath of

Fresh Air for Kids

8 To find a provider, call 1.800.833.31008 To find a provider, call 1.800.833.3100

Hana Niebur, M.d., a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Children’s, knows one of her busiest seasons is about to blossom: fall allergy season.

“Ragweed is one of the most prolific and potent allergy producers in the

Midwest. The season in Nebraska is quite difficult to manage,” she says.

“Kids with a ragweed allergy are likely to experience some increase in

symptoms in the fall, which might require some adjustments in their

medications.”

Whether they suffer from seasonal allergies, or food, medicine or insect

allergies, Dr. Niebur says young patients will receive expert, compassionate

care at the Pediatric Allergy & Immunology Clinic at Children’s.

“I think the best thing is the time and the resources we have to spend

on patients, particularly our new patients. It’s important that we sit down

with parents and really explain what’s going on and what the treatment

options are so we can figure out the best route for their child together.”

hAVe A CliNiC QueSTiON?

Learn more about our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Clinic, including how to schedule an appointment, by calling us at 1.800.833.3100.

lining of the stomach, nose, sinuses, throat and/or lungs – places where

immune system cells are located to fight off inhaled, swallowed or

contacted “invaders.”

Although hundreds of ordinary substances could trigger allergic

reactions, the most common allergens include: tree, grass and weed

pollens, latex, molds, dust mites, foods, medicines and insect stings.

Confirming a diagnosis typically involves skin testing, blood testing or

challenge testing, which involves taking a very small amount of allergen

by mouth, inhalation or a combination of both methods.

“Skin testing is still the most accurate form of testing for environmental

allergens. For food allergies, it can be a bit trickier, but it usually requires

a combination of skin testing and blood testing,” Dr. Niebur says.

Allergic reactions typically may result in:

• Seasonal or allergic rhinitis (nasal stuffiness, sneezing, nasal

itching, nasal discharge, itching in ears or roof of mouth)

• Red, itchy, watery eyes

• Red, itchy, dry skin

• Hives or itchy welts

• Itchy rash

• Asthma (airway problems, such as shortness

of breath, coughing and wheezing)

Allergy sufferers may become used to chronic symptoms, but with the

help of an allergy specialist, these symptoms can usually be prevented

or controlled. Medications are available. In some cases, allergy shots are

needed to desensitize the immune system to the allergy. Treatments vary

based on a child’s age, overall health and other factors.

“If parents think their child needs to be evaluated by a specialist, the first

person they should talk to is their pediatrician,” Dr. Niebur recommends.

“Keeping their pediatrician involved throughout their care is really

important so they have someone to help them navigate the system.”

Dr. hana niebur, Children’s Specialty Physicians

Allergy sufferers may become used to chronic symptoms, but with the help of an allergy specialist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled. Medications are available.

Collaborative Care environment“The patient population that’s drawn here is exciting to work with, and

at Children’s, we have a lot of different specialists in one place, and we

can provide care as a group,” Dr. Niebur says.

She says she loves knowing that she can collaborate with those

colleagues to ensure the best possible outcome for her patients.

Dr. Niebur also understands it takes a special touch to treat children

with allergies.

“Children may not be as understanding as adults about why they have

restrictions,” she shares. “I think it’s important that kids are able to play

outside, to have fun and to be children. My approach is to make treatment

work for what a child can tolerate on a daily basis. My goal is to make

them feel like they can have a normal life.”

understanding AllergiesAllergies can affect anyone, but are generally more common in kids and

tend to run in families. An allergic reaction may occur in the skin, eyes,


Parenting U Schedule

Parents have a favorite TV show and

a favorite food, but moms and dads

love all their kids equally. However, a

parent’s actions toward their children

may unknowingly fuel feelings of

favoritism, no matter how unintentional

these actions.

As children develop their own sense

of self, they are keenly aware of their

parents’ actions and attitudes. Showing

favoritism to one child at any given time

can make siblings feel resentment toward

both parents and the favored sister or

brother. This can lead to the slighted

child acting out in anger or developing

low self-esteem.

To avoid illusions of favoritism within

your family, follow these tips:

• Take time for each child — Make a

special effort to spend some time alone

with each of your children. Set aside an

hour to bake cookies or play pickup

basketball, depending on the child’s

interests.

• Don’t compare siblings — Every

human is unique, so never compare a

child with his or her siblings. Quick

words can sting for a lifetime.

• Cheer loud for all to hear — Cheer on

all your children, supporting each of

their individual activities. Supporting

everyone’s interests and ensuring their

personal needs are met will help all

children feel important and loved.

Parenting U from Children’s Hospital & Medical Center offers free classes for parents. Space for each class is limited, so call 1.800.833.3100 or visit Childrensomaha.org/parentingu today to register for one or more of our upcoming educational sessions.

tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.Preparing for Your NewbornChildren’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.Mastering Potty Training Children’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.Baby’s First YearsChildren’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.Surviving the Trying TwosChildren’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

tuesday, oct. 6 at 6 p.m.healthy Sleep habits for ToddlersChildren’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

Sunday, oct. 18Baby Love Essentials Baby Fair• at 10:30 a.m. Preparing for Your

Newborn• at 11:30 a.m. Preparing for Your

Newborn• at 12:30 p.m. Avoiding Sibling

rivalries• at 1:30 p.m. healthy Nutrition for

Toddlersramada Plaza Convention Center

tuesday, oct. 27 at 6 p.m.effective Time Out TechniquesChildren’s hospital & Medical Center, Glow Auditorium

hOW TO AVOiD

‘Mom Always Liked

You Best’


Dr. Jayan VasudevanChildren’s Physicians

TiMe TO MAKe AN APPOiNTMeNT?

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vasudevan, or any of our board-certified Children’s Physicians providers, call 1.800.336.0304.

Pacifiers can be a helpful tool to assist parents

in calming a newborn or young infant.

Pacifiers help provide comfort to infants by

allowing them to engage in the sucking reflex,

even if they are not hungry. Pacifiers offer

other benefits as well.

Pacifier benefits include:

• Pacifiers help sooth a crying infant.

• Sucking on a pacifier can help reduce

an infant’s pain. In fact, pacifiers are

often used as comfort during painful

procedures.

• Studies show that pacifiers can shorten

hospital stays for premature babies and

help tube-fed babies learn to use a bottle.

• Pacifiers decrease the risk of sudden infant

death syndrome (SIDS).

• Pacifiers can ease discomfort for a baby

during flights by relieving ear pressure.

“Pacifiers encourage babies to self sooth. It

helps babies to relax and makes them feel

more secure,” says Jayan Vasudevan, M.D.,

Children’s Physicians. “Pacifiers also satisfy the

sucking reflex, which is the natural need to

suck even after breast or bottle fed.”

Selecting the right PacifierWhen selecting a pacifier, parents should look

for a few things. The pacifier should be a

one-piece unit. The shield should contain

at least two holes for ventilation. It’s also

important that the pacifier pass the

Consumer Product Safety Commission

pull-apart test. This ensures that the unit

will not come apart and create a choking

hazard for the infant.

Follow these tips for pacifier use:

• Avoid pacifiers with built-in gadgets,

moving parts or liquid interiors.

• Never hang the pacifier on a string

around the baby’s neck.

• Do not dip the pacifier in sugar, honey,

corn syrup or other sugary materials.

• Clean the pacifier regularly. Boiling is

recommended for pacifiers if the child

is younger than 6 months. An automatic

dishwasher is not adequate for all ages.

• Replace the pacifier if damaged, the

plastic begins to crack or the surface

breaks down into small pieces.

• Do not share pacifiers with other

children in your household.

• Never moisten or clean a pacifier by

putting it in your mouth.

• Talk with your pediatrician at your

child’s 9-month checkup about how and

when to wean your baby from using a

pacifier. As you limit pacifier use, make

sure everyone in the household is on

the same page to avoid confusion and

ease the transition.

PACIfIERSAre Beneficial for Babies


As the dog days of summer give way to

evenings spent under Friday night lights,

kids head back to school and to their

favorite fall sports.

Even with proper padding and safety

gear, as many as 3.8 million sports- and

recreation-related concussions occur across

the U.S. each year. To help young athletes get

back in the lineup and, more importantly,

back into the classroom safely, Children’s

Sports Medicine Clinic specializes in

diagnosing and managing post-concussion

recovery for children and teens.

The Sports Medicine Clinic is led by

Kody Moffatt, M.D., a pediatric sports

medicine specialist with Children’s Hospital

& Medical Center. Dr. Moffatt’s winning

game plan to help injured athletes transition

back into the classroom after a concussion

follows a process referred to as “return

to learn.”

“We know that a concussion has the

potential to impact a student athlete’s

ability to think and process information,”

Dr. Moffatt says. “We want to share this

knowledge with families, teachers and

school systems. Helping these kids regain

success in the classroom takes a team effort.”

If your child has a concussion, closely

monitor the recovery process. Report any

worsening symptoms—including headaches,

vomiting or abnormal movement—to a

doctor. Also watch for behavior changes,

such as grogginess or confusion. And above

all, tell your child to speak up if any head

injury—no matter how minor—occurs.

Prompt evaluation and treatment can

prevent lasting harm.

In addition to treating concussions,

Children’s Sports Medicine Clinic provides

diagnosis and treatment for sprains, strains,

sports-related infections and more. With

X-ray capabilities, surgical consultation and

heart evaluations on site, the clinic scores

big by helping children quickly return to

the sports they love.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center

8200 Dodge StreetOmaha, NE 68114402-955-5400

881MChildrensOmaha.org

TiP: When choosing health insurance, be sure to select a

plan that includes in-network (Tier 1) coverage for care provided by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and its physicians.

To learn more about our Sports Medicine Clinic at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, visit Childrensomaha.org/Sportsmedicine. To schedule an appointment with dr. Moffatt, call 402.955.play (7529).

CheCK uS OuT

ONliNe!

SPORTS MEdICINE ClINIC TACKlES CONCUSSION TREATMENT

Kody Moffatt, M.D., Children’s Specialty Physicians

just kids | summer 2015

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