your pediatrician in shares important information to help you understand if your child has a broken bone. 

• You or your child hears a snap or grinding noise as the injury occurs
• Your child experiences swelling, bruising or tenderness to the injured area
• It is painful for your child to move it, touch it or press on it
• The injured part looks deformed

What Happens Next?

• Call 911 - If your child has an 'open break' where the bone has punctured the skin, if they are unresponsive, if there is bleeding or if there have been any injuries to the spine, neck or head, call 911. Remember, better safe than sorry! If you do call 911, do not let the child eat or drink anything, as surgery may be required.
• Stop the Bleeding - Use a sterile bandage or cloth and compression to stop or slow any bleeding.
• Apply Ice - Particularly if the broken bone has remained under the skin, treat the swelling and pain with ice wrapped in a towel. As usual, remember to never place ice directly on the skin.
• Don't Move the Bone - It may be tempting to try to set the bone yourself to put your child out of pain, particularly if the bone has broken through the skin, do not do this! You risk injuring your child further. Leave the bone in the position it is in.

At some point in our childhood, we might have experienced chicken pox. While chicken pox most often occurs in children under the age of 12, it can also occur in adults who never had it as children.

Chickenpox is an itchy rash of spots that look like blisters and can appear all over the body while accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Chickenpox is very contagious, which is why your pediatrician in places a strong emphasis on keeping infected children out of school and at home until the rash is gone. 

What are the Symptoms of Chickenpox?

When a child first develops chickenpox, they might experience a fever, headache, sore throat or stomachache. These symptoms may last for a few days, with a fever in the 101-102 F range. The onset of chicken pox causes a red, itchy skin rash that typically appears on the abdomen or back and face first, then spreads to almost any part of the body, including the scalp, mouth, arms, legs and genitals. 

The rash begins as multiple small red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites, which are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide. These bumps appear in over two to four days and develop into thin-walled blisters filled with fluid. When the blister walls break, the sores are left open, which then dries into brown scabs. This rash is extremely itchy and cool baths or calamine lotion may help to manage the itching. 

What are the Treatment Options?

A virus causes chickenpox, which is why your pediatrician in will not prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. However, your child might need an antibiotic if bacteria infects the sores, which is very common among children because they will often scratch and pick at the blisters—it is important to discourage this. Your child’s pediatrician in will be able to tell you if a medication is right for your child.

If you suspect your child has chickenpox, contact your pediatrician right away!

How immunizations from your pediatrician in Conroe, TX, can protect your child

There is a lot of information available about immunizations, and you may be asking yourself, are they really that important? The truth is, child immunizations are the best way to prevent infectious diseases and serious complications from a medical condition.

Children are among the most vulnerable when it comes to serious complications due to the flu and other conditions. Your pediatricians at Northside Pediatrics Associates in Conroe, TX, offers a full range of pediatric services including immunizations to help your child stay healthy.

Immunizations are important because:

• They prevent your child from getting diseases like meningitis, hepatitis, and flu.
• They prevent the spread of illnesses and diseases to others, including your child’s playmates, teachers, and members of your household.
• They are required for your child to attend daycare and school.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that children be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth. You should plan on bringing your child in at one to two-month intervals until your child is six-months old. After that, regular visits are recommended up to age 18.

The current CDC immunization recommendations are listed below:

• (Hep B) Hepatitis B
• (Dtap) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
• (Hib) Haemophilus influenza type B
• (IPV) Polio
• (PCV13) Pneumococcal conjugate
• (RV) Rotavirus
• (MMR) Measles, mumps, rubella
• (Varicella) Chickenpox
• (HepA) Hepatitis A
• (HPV) Human papillomavirus
• (MCV4) Meningococcal conjugate
• (Influenza) Flu

Immunizations are safe and effective. In fact, each vaccine is rigorously tested for both safety and effectiveness and approved by the Food and Drug Administration before it can be released for public use. You can be sure that you are safeguarding your child’s health when you get your child immunized. You can have peace of mind, knowing that your child is protected against serious, and potentially deadly conditions like meningitis, hepatitis, or the flu.

For more information about immunizations and other pediatric care services, call your pediatricians at Northside Pediatrics Associates in Conroe, TX, today!

A hearing screening is the easiest way to determine if your child is suffering from hearing loss. Thanks to a hearing screening, your pediatrician can determine the degree of hearing loss and how best to help your child hear well again. If your child’s hearing loss goes undiagnosed, it can lead to problems with normal development, learning disabilities, and problems socializing with others.

Your child could be suffering hearing loss from a variety of causes including a family history of hearing problems, infection during pregnancy, or birth complications. Hearing problems can also be caused by middle ear infections, infectious diseases, or even loud noises.

So, how do you know if your child needs a hearing screening? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) these are some of the most common signs and symptoms of hearing loss in babies and children:

• Not turning toward sounds at 6 months
• Not saying single words at 1 year
• Not hearing all sounds
• Not answering to their name
• Delayed or unclear speech
• Difficulty following directions

Hearing screenings are often performed at well-child visits and during school physicals. If your child hasn’t had a hearing screening, and you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed above, you should schedule a hearing screen as soon as possible. Early detection of hearing difficulties leads to early treatment, which is much better for your child.

If your child has hearing difficulties, don’t worry. There are many effective ways to help with hearing loss including:

• State-of-the-art hearing aids, cochlear implants and other hearing devices
• Medications if the hearing loss is caused by an ear infection
• Surgical treatment to correct structural issues which may be causing the hearing loss
• Alternative communication techniques
• Educational and supportive services for the family

A hearing screening is important to the health and well-being of your child. You don’t want your child to miss out on all of the beautiful sounds of life. Your pediatrician can help you schedule a hearing screening to get your child started on the road to hearing well.

Could your child have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? The disorder can affect every aspect of your child's life and make it difficult to form friendships. Your Conroe, TX, pediatricians, Drs. Ayotunde Faweya and Michael Okogbo of Northside Pediatrics Associates offer strategies and treatments that can help kids with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and usually begins before children are 7. Although hyperactivity is a common sign of the disorder, some children have a subtype of ADHD and don't experience hyperactivity.

What are the signs of ADHD?

Kids who have ADHD can't stop moving. They constantly squirm and fidget, which can cause problems at school, particularly if they leave their seats and wander around the classroom.

In fact, teachers are often the first ones to spot signs of ADHD. Children who have ADHD may daydream when a school subject bores them or forget to turn in completed homework. They may have difficulty following directions, can't resist talking in class or find it hard to concentrate for long periods of time.

ADHD also affects your child's social life and may make it difficult for your child to make or keep friends. Kids who blurt out inappropriate comments, refuse to share, or don't understand social cues often find the social aspects of school especially challenging.

At home, you may notice that your child needs frequent reminders to put away toys or start homework, misplaces belongings or can't sit quietly through a TV show.

How is ADHD treated?

Some parents are reluctant to seek treatment for their children because they assume that medication is the only solution for ADHD. Although some kids do find that life is easier if they take medication, many benefit from behavioral therapy and social skills groups that teach children how to control impulsive behaviors and strengthen relationships. Your Conroe, TX, pediatrician can discuss appropriate treatment options for your child during your next visit.

Does your child have several of these symptoms? Call your Conroe, TX, pediatricians, Drs. Ayotunde Faweya and Michael Okogbo of Northside Pediatrics Associates, at (936) 270-8655 to schedule an appointment for your child.