2020
February
14,
2020
|
14:00 PM
America/Chicago
Desperation or neglect, whatever the reason the story is devastating.
In the wake a baby is dead and her mom has been charged with her murder. In addition, the baby’s dad has been charged with aggravated battery and cruelty to a child for diluting...
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2019
October
16,
2019
|
14:40 PM
America/Chicago
“His cough is sooo croupy!”
When parents report a croupy cough, it means different things. Some parents call bad/deep/dry/wet/rattly coughs croupy.
When I think of “croupy cough,” I mean “barky” like a dog or a seal. We are seeing quite a bit o...
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July
23,
2019
|
09:31 AM
America/Chicago
I read the report on essential oils from the Tennesee poison center with great interest. The report said that reports of toxic exposure to essential oils doubled from 2011 to 2015.
I've been interested in essential oils for a while now, beginning ...
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July
23,
2019
|
09:30 AM
America/Chicago
Previously, I looked at the safety and research of essential oils and children. Today, I will answer more questions asked on my Facebook page.
Effectiveness/General Use
Do they really work or is it a mind over matter thing?
I think that ther...
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2018
November
26,
2018
|
14:38 PM
America/Chicago
RSV has arrived at Cook Children's.
Last week, 178 kids tested positive for RSV, compared to only two who tested positive for Influenza A.
RSV is a virus. It’s short for respiratory syncytial virus. It causes a disease in young children (especi...
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August
27,
2018
|
10:19 AM
America/Chicago
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is among 18 states that allow families to opt out of vaccines for personal or moral beliefs. The Morning News reports that Plano, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston all ranked among the 15...
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March
07,
2018
|
10:11 AM
America/Chicago
The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a letter warning parents and cheerleaders from 39 states and nine counties that they may have been exposed to mumps at a cheerleading competition last month in Dallas.
The Dallas Morning Ne...
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2017
May
31,
2017
|
15:31 PM
America/Chicago
Some kids have a hard time going to sleep. No matter what time you set bed time, even with the perfect routine, they toss and turn and get out of bed for hours. What is a family to do?
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January
20,
2017
|
09:58 AM
America/Chicago
When our 18-month-old son, supposedly napping in his crib, came strolling into the kitchen, we realized it was probably time to make the transition to a “big-boy” bed (even though it was a little earlier than we had planned).
Most children transit...
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2016
November
22,
2016
|
10:58 AM
America/Chicago
Just in time for the holidays a reader wrote in with this question:
“My friend...was told by her grandson’s pediatrician that her grandchildren who are vaccinated should never be around any unvaccinated children. Well, the parents of her other...
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November
10,
2016
|
10:24 AM
America/Chicago
1. All ear pain is an ear infection.
Ear pain can be caused by many different factors. Often kids just play with or point to their ears. If the child is otherwise cranky, sick or not sleeping well, parents will assume there is an ear infection. Ho...
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September
16,
2016
|
15:30 PM
America/Chicago
Teething.
Every kid goes though it and yet, it’s universally misunderstood. Poor teething. It gets blamed for just about everything and probably causes very few symptoms.
I thought I would clear up some of these misconceptions and I asked Sheel...
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July
01,
2016
|
14:22 PM
America/Chicago
Baby frogs like funny dogs. Baby hogs like daddy’s dogs.
That’s how I remembered this:
Blood, frogs, lice, flies, disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death.
You might ask, why was I learning the order of the plagues? Obviously, for a bi...
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January
11,
2016
|
03:09 AM
America/Chicago
The last week in my house has been terrible.
Currently, I am the lone survivor of the war on Smith-Summertime-Flu-Like-Illness-2015.
You name the symptom and someone in my family has had it: fever, cough, runny nose, congestion, headache, sore ...
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2015
December
15,
2015
|
09:34 AM
America/Chicago
Generally Child Protective Services is called to a home because someone notices bruising on a child or hears a story in which a witness suspects that a child is being abused.
Last week, a Plano CPS agent responded to a different type of call after...
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November
09,
2015
|
09:14 AM
America/Chicago
There is not a topic in pediatric medicine that has more myths surrounding it than fevers.
I hear statements like these:
1. “She must’ve been about 103 because she felt really hot.”
Touching a child to determine if you should check their tem...
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August
04,
2015
|
10:22 AM
America/Chicago
It’s that time of year again, coaches are pressuring you for your child’s athletic forms and school nurses are sending out letters threatening that your children can’t start school until they have their shots.
School physical season is one of my f...
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July
14,
2015
|
09:38 AM
America/Chicago
Your baby has turned blue while teething.
Well, it is not from teething but it could be from the treatment you are using for it.
Fever, congestion, diarrhea, fussiness, putting things in their mouth, not sleeping well, you name it and someone h...
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June
23,
2015
|
11:56 AM
America/Chicago
Today's "My Kid Minute" topic is diarrhea.
Watch the video below for five key facts about diarrhea that every parent needs to know in only a minute.
In today's video, Doc Smitty explains:
What are the common causes?
How long can it last...
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May
29,
2015
|
10:34 AM
America/Chicago
It’s midnight. You wake up with a tear-streaked face staring at you.
“Mom, my legs hurt.”
It wouldn’t be so concerning except that it’s happening four nights a week, for months. Right?
So, what do you do?
Watch The Doc Smitty in Cook Chil...
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May
18,
2015
|
15:33 PM
America/Chicago
When your dad’s The Doc Smitty, you don’t get to keep the turtle that wanders into your pool (see photo to the right).
Here's why:
There has been an outbreak of severe flu among dogs in the Midwest. Cases of the H3N2 strain have now been seen i...
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May
14,
2015
|
11:25 AM
America/Chicago
Have a minute? The Doc Smitty discusses your kid's vomiting. Watch to learn the most common causes, the symptoms that are more concerning and how to keep your kid well hydrated.
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April
22,
2015
|
10:06 AM
America/Chicago
Give it to the Jenners, they sure know how to get attention. But right now 17-year-old Kylie Jenner may not be enjoying the spotlight as much as usual.
A disturbing trend on social media, the #kyliejennerchallenge, has left some teenagers in pain ...
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April
07,
2015
|
14:05 PM
America/Chicago
"Breast is best."
Advocating for breastfeeding is a big part of a pediatrician’s job in the first few months of life. We state the benefits of breastfeeding. We encourage families who are struggling and provide help with troubleshooting issues. We...
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April
07,
2015
|
10:40 AM
America/Chicago
When is a stomach bug not just a stomach bug?
How do you know when it is something else or when it could be more dangerous?
A report last week from the CDC described a cluster of infections caused by shigella, a bacteria that can cause severe d...
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April
02,
2015
|
11:22 AM
America/Chicago
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
There are three core symptoms of ADHD:
1. Inattention
2. Impulsivity
3. Hyperactivity
Inattention
Inattention can present itself in many ways. Some of the mo...
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March
31,
2015
|
11:01 AM
America/Chicago
Track season is up and running and many of our junior high and high school athletes are training themselves to run faster and jump higher. Physical activity is clearly beneficial for our students. It can lead to increased health, decreased risky beha...
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March
26,
2015
|
10:18 AM
America/Chicago
How does one go about picking a pediatrician these days?
If you want to start, visit Cook Children's guide to choosing a pediatrician. Then, go check out your doctor on healthgrades.com or vitals.com or any of the other rating sites you can find. ...
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March
17,
2015
|
14:11 PM
America/Chicago
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland retired yesterday after a very successful rookie season.
He’s not hurt and had a presumably bright future in the NFL.
Why did he retire?
In light of the recent focus on repetitive trauma, concussi...
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March
12,
2015
|
09:00 AM
America/Chicago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
HPV vaccines are given as a series of three shots over 6 months to protect against HPV infection and the health problems that HPV infection can cause. There are tw...
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