just kids | spring 2011

spring 2011

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

justkids

Regular Exercise Beats Interactive Video Games

• Pediatrician Visits Are Important for Teens • Crib Safety Tips

2 | To find a physician, call 1-800-833-3100

gameOn!

Check Spring’s School To-Do List

Fall may seem like a long time away, but now is actually the time to start working on that back-to-school list.

❏ Set sleep routines. Parents are tempted to let children stay up late and sleep in over the summer months, but experts advise not to give in to this habit. Having your child follow a set routine is the key to peaceful bedtimes and pleasant mornings. Make sure this routine includes “quiet time” to allow your child to unwind, as well as relaxing activities like a bath or reading. If you don’t disrupt the routine during the summer, you won’t have to adjust for the new school year.

❏ Schedule physicals. If your child needs a school or sports physical, schedule the appointment now. Physician offices have a limited number of appointment schedules available, so parents who wait until the last minute to schedule appointments often have difficulty meeting school deadlines. By scheduling now, you’ll ensure you get a ti me that meets your family’s needs.

❏ Get immunized. Making sure children of all ages receive vaccinations on time is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure their children's long-term health. Each state has immunization requirements for children entering school. In Nebraska, children can’t attend classes in public or private school until the school has written proof of their immunization status. New for the 2011-2012 school year is that Nebraska now requires all students to have two varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations or documentation of having had the disease. Contact your child’s physician to be sure your child meets this new requirement.

With a little planning and action now, you can ensure a smooth transition this fall into the new school year.

Many parents concerned about their children’s sedentary lifestyle rejoiced when video game manufacturers introduced Wii Sports™ and other games that require players to get up and get moving. But parental hopes about the fitness benefits of such games may be overly optimistic, in light of results from a recent study.

Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom compared activity levels of 11 teens playing motion sensor–controlled active games (like Wii) and traditional joystick–controlled games. During 15 minutes of both types of gaming, the scientists tracked three key measurements: energy expenditure, caloric burn and heart rate.

As you might expect, when the young players used body movements to control the game, their energy expenditure increased 156 percent above resting rates. In contrast, during traditional seated gaming, energy expenditure increased just 60 percent above resting rates. The children’s heart rates were significantly higher during interactive games than during sedentary games.

Real Sports Still Burn More Studies show that people who play

video games log an average of 12.2 hours of gaming per week—and for games requiring body movement, this translates to an estimated 1,830 calories burned per week, say the U.K. researchers. Although that may sound impressive, the study’s authors were quick to assert that body movements for video versions of bowling, baseball or tennis require significantly less energy than if a child were actually playing the real sport.

Their conclusion: Active consoles such as the Wii require more energy from players than traditional joy-stick games—and they may also provide a means of motivating children who are less active. Still, the researchers cautioned that the energy expended

during interactive video games “was not of high enough intensity to contribute towards the recommended daily amount of exercise in children.”

“Practicing and playing real sports also offers the additional benefits of socialization, teaching teamwork skills and promoting healthy lifestyle habits that video games do not,” says Kody Moffatt, a pediatrician with Children’s Physicians.

Get MovingCurrent recommendations for

children and adolescents are to participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week—and preferably every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This activity is very important for a child’s physical, mental and social well-being. It not only builds muscle strength and contributes to a healthy body weight, but is essential for cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness, bone strength, healthy blood pressure and decreased anxiety and stress.

If you want to incorporate more exercise into your child’s routine, the CDC suggests taking the lead. Be active yourself and carve out time for family bike rides, walks or playing in the park. Provide children with active gear, such as a bike, skates, a jump rope, balls and sports gear. Finally, limit the time your children spend in front of the computer or television and encourage and praise them for trying new, active pursuits.

ChildrensOmaha.org | 3

How Much Is Enough?Are you concerned that your child

isn’t getting enough exercise? If so,

talk with your child's primary care

provider. To find a physician for your

child, call Children’s Find-A-Doctor

service at 1-800-833-3100.

Interactive Games Still Don’t Beat ExercisegameOn!


Do You Know If Your Baby's Crib Is Safe? The crib is supposed to be a safe place

for your baby to sleep, but there can be unexpected dangers. Follow these tips to keep your baby’s crib safe:■ Throw away those crib bumpers. Cushy bumper pads—intended to prevent injury—can act like pillows, causing suffocation. A baby’s head could also get wedged between the bumper and the crib rails, cutting off air. Another danger: A baby could strangle on the cord fastening the bumper. ■ Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress that fits snugly in the crib. Never let a baby sleep on a waterbed or other very soft surface.■ Crib slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so a child’s head cannot become trapped between them. ■ Make sure your baby’s crib is sturdy and has no loose or missing hardware. Do not use drop-side cribs, which have been banned by the U.S. government after the cribs have caused the deaths of over 30 infants in the past 10 years.

■ Don’t place the crib or changing table near window blinds or curtain cords. ■ Be sure the crib and changing table are not printed with lead paint. Use a lead-paint tester kit on furniture if you’re not sure. These kits are available at hardware stores.

Also, be sure to dress your baby in sleepwear labeled “flame-retardant” and follow cleaning instructions to maintain flame resistance.

Preventing SIDSThe cause of SIDS remains a mystery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says SIDS occurs most often during a baby’s first 6 months of life, particularly between 2 and 3 months of age. What can you do to help prevent SIDS?■ Place infants on their backs to sleep.■ Don’t put pillows, stuffed toys, soft blankets or heavy covers in a crib. These can block a baby’s nose and mouth.■ Avoid letting your baby overheat during sleep.■ Offer your baby a pacifier at sleep

times (wait until breastfed babies have established feeding). ■ Don’t smoke during pregnancy or expose an infant to smoke.■ Don’t let an infant share a bed with other family members.

Always CommittedChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center is

committed to the health and well-being of all children. The Kohl’s Keeps Kids Safe program, a partnership between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Kohl’s department stores, is dedicated to reducing the number of accidental injuries in children. Since 2000, Kohl’s has donated more than $1 million in support of child injury prevention programs.

For more information on safety

programs sponsored by Children’s

Hospital & Medical Center, visit

ChildrensOmaha.org. Simply click

on “Health and Safety,” then on

“Injury Prevention Program.”

When you signed on for parenting, you found it requires skills and knowledge never mentioned in Algebra 101 or American Lit.

Fortunately, 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 800-833-3100 or log onto ChildrensOmaha.org to register today.

Parenting U Upcoming DatesTuesday, April 5

Baby’s First Years

Monique Macklem, MD, FAAP – Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, April 12

Everyday Discipline for Toddlers

Ashley Harlow, PhD, NCSP – Children’s Behavioral Health

Tuesday, April 26

Preparing for Your Newborn

Kirstin Grahn, MD, FAAP – Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, June 21

Preparing for Your Newborn

Betsy Stephenson, MD, FAAP – Children’s Physicians

Physicians Clinic

Tuesday, April 27 Preparing for Your Newborn John Andreson, M.D., Children’s Physicians


Expecting Another Baby?Tell Your Children What to Expect

We Know ChildrenAfter a new infant arrives, an older

child sometimes resorts to baby-like behavior. For example, she may follow you around or carry an old teddy bear again. If your child regresses like this, realize that it is normal behavior. It is your child’s way of ensuring that he still has your love and attention.

The best way to approach this behavior is to use positive reinforcement. Praise big boy and big girl behavior instead of expecting the child to act his or her age.

Over the next few months, you can help your child get more comfortable with the idea of a new brother or sister. While each child’s reaction will differ depending on the child’s age and general personality, the following suggestions

can help ease the transition to becoming an older sibling.■ Help children feel like it’s their baby, too. Take them shopping for baby items, and find other ways to involve them in the preparation. Allow the older siblings to feel that they have a role to play in caring for the baby.■ When you’re out and about, point out other “big siblings” and babies as an example of how it will be when the baby comes.■ Set aside one-on-one time every day for you and each child. Read, play games or show them their own baby pictures. After you bring the new baby home, keep this routine so children continue to get the attention and reassurance they need.


As children get older, they may not feel comfortable visiting their childhood pediatrician. And, in fact, adolescents’ trips to the doctor often drop off. Their rate of primary care visits is lower than that of any other American age group.

Yet adolescence is a vital time for routine health care. Teens and ’tweens are forming habits that will affect their health for the rest of their lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts recommend that teens get a checkup once a year. During these visits, your teen’s pediatrician may:■ Provide guidance on how to prevent injuries.■ Discuss the benefits of a healthy diet and regular exercise.■ Check if your child has high blood pressure or high cholesterol.■ Give your teen any needed immunizations.■ Talk about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse.

■ Check to see if your teen might have an eating disorder or a problem with body image.

Remember that pediatricians have been trained to care for young adults up to age 21. And pediatricians are concerned with more than just physical well-being. Some teens today are being drawn toward risky behaviors that could endanger them now or in the future. Those behaviors may include sensitive topics like substance abuse or sexual activity, but some adolescents’ concerns about confidentiality may keep them from speaking up.

“The advantage of having your teen continue to see the pediatrician he or she has grown up with is that there is an established comfort level. This comes in handy when discussing sensitive issues,” says Children’s Physicians pediatrician Laura Nielsen.

Pediatricians are actively involved with the prevention, early detection and management of these problems that

affect children and adolescents, including:■ Behavioral difficulties■ Developmental disorders■ Functional problems■ Social stresses■ Depression or anxiety disorders

Remind your teens about the importance of regular health checkups. And when your teen visits the pediatrician, make sure they have some private time to talk with the doctor in confidence.

Find the Right DoctorSelecting a physician who’s a good

fit for your family is important.

You—and your teen—should feel

comfortable with the physician.

To find the right one for your

family, call Children’s Find-A-

Doctor service at 1-800-833-3100.

Pediatrician Visits Are Important for Teens

The digestive difficulty that causes heartburn is not only for adults. Acid reflux troubles babies and children, too. But they’re less likely to have the classic burning pain that grown-ups frequently experience.

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when the muscular ring at the lower end of the esophagus fails to close properly. As a result, food and digestive juices move upward from the stomach into the esophagus. The condition is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when it becomes a chronic problem.

Infants with GERD frequently spit up or vomit, but usually get over the condition by age 1. If reflux continues beyond then, it might signal GERD.

In babies with GERD, persistent reflux with vomiting irritates the esophagus. This can lead to fussiness, breathing difficulties and refusal to eat.

Symptoms of GERD in children include:■ Repeated vomiting ■ Trouble swallowing■ Nausea ■ Laryngitis■ Dry cough, wheezing, asthma, or pneumonia

Children may also experience heartburn, but they often describe it as a stomachache or chest pain. If your baby or child regularly has uncomfortable reflux-related symptoms, talk with your child’s doctor.

After-Hours Care for Your Family: Children’s Urgent Care Center

Fever, sore throat and a tummy ache. It’s Saturday afternoon and your doctor’s office is closed. Time to head to Children’s Urgent Care Center.

Staffed by board-certified pediatricians and pediatric nurses, Children’s Urgent Care understands that children aren’t just small adults. From appropriately-sized medical equipment to child-friendly bandages and extensive experience working with young patients, Children’s Urgent Care Center is designed to care for all ages, infants to teens, suffering from:

■ Ear infections

■ Sore throats

■ Minor burns

■ Minor asthma

■ Small lacerations/cuts

■ Sprains, fractures or broken bones

Hours of operation are weekdays from 6 to 10 p.m., and weekends and holidays from noon to 10 p.m. Children’s Urgent Care at West Village Pointe is located at 110 N. 175th Street, just southwest of Village Pointe Shopping Center. Please note that Children’s Urgent Care at Harvey Oaks has relocated to West Village Pointe. If you previously visited us at Harvey Oaks, please continue to see us at the new location.


Is It Acid Reflux?

Health Tip Changing eating habits and diet may curb acid reflux. Have your

child try eating small, frequent meals. And avoid foods that may trigger acid

reflux, including: chocolate, carbonated drinks, peppermint, fried or spicy foods,

and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage

PAIDChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center

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. © 2011. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Gary A. Perkins, President and CEOMartin W. Beerman, Vice President, Marketing and Community RelationsDavid G.J. Kaufman, MD, Medical AdvisorDannee Schroeder, Marketing Coordinator

Printed on Recyclable Paper 881M

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center has received accreditation or recognition from the following organizations for its delivery of extraordinary health care to children.

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You may think bubbly, ice-cold cola is a drink you and your children can share, but read this before you take your next sip: a recent study shows that cola may increase your risk for chronic kidney disease.

What Is Kidney Disease?Whether you’re pint-sized or full-

grown, kidneys remove toxins and extra water from your blood. With kidney disease, the filters inside these bean-shaped organs don’t work properly. Harmful toxins then build up in your blood. Kidney failure is about 20 times more common in adults than children. But birth defects, inherited conditions and injuries can affect kids’ kidney function.

The Cola ConnectionIn a recent study, people who drank

two or more colas per day—diet or regular—were more than twice as likely to have kidney disease than those who didn’t. Why? Soft drinks are linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, which—along with family history—are risk factors for kidney disease.

Plus, cola contains the mineral phosphorus. Too much phosphorus causes another important mineral—calcium—to leak from bones. Extra calcium can harden into stones in your kidneys, causing pain and boosting your odds for kidney disease.

Kidney Health TipsTeens especially love their cola. As

they get older, teenage girls drink less milk and triple their soda intake. But girls who drank the most soda had the highest body mass index (BMI), which measures body fat, and they took in the least calcium. Teens who drank more milk got the calcium girls need for bone growth.

To keep every member of your family healthy:■ Serve lots of water to flush harmful substances from the kidneys. ■ Make sure kids receive at least three servings of milk a day. Fat-free milk is an excellent choice for teens over cola. ■ If someone still wants to drink cola, limit it to 12 ounces a day. This also helps control weight and protect bones.

Subscribe NowTo subscribe to health-e kids, our

free monthly e-newsletter, simply

visit ChildrensOmaha.org and click

on the e-newsletter icon located on

the right side of the home page.

Kick Cola to Protect Your Kidneys

just kids | spring 2011

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