It's the season to prepare for back to school. Are you ready?! Houston Moms Blog chats with Dr. Manuela Murray, Pediatrician for UTMB. Dr. Murray discusses scheduling your child's annual check-up/sports physical, vaccinating your 12+-year-old for COVID-19, and who may not qualify for the vaccine. She also addresses mental health issues and what can parents/educators do to help students readjust.

After more than a year of “pandemic life”, we are all eager to return to some sense of normalcy. Experts now say that fully vaccinated people are safe to travel with some common-sense precautions. The pandemic is not over but as the vaccine rollout continues travel will be safer and more relaxing.

As April is Child Abuse Awareness month, we have discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their proven long-term effects on children and adults. There are many things you can do to minimize the negative impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and to bolster your child’s confidence. In this ACEs article Dr. Beach discusses relationships, discipline, education, when to get help, and to always remember to engage and have fun! [Click title for full article]

There have been dramatic changes in the routine of our lives, family interactions, and the constant presence of electronic devices in all our lives. Some of these changes are very, very good, and some are very, very worrisome. It is very easy for kids to access material that is not intended for them. It is very important that we are aware of what children are doing online. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Robinson lists advice for parents and the dangers of the internet. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Como abril es el mes de la concientización sobre el abuso infantil, hemos hablado de las experiencias adversas en la infancia (ACE) y sus efectos comprobados a largo plazo en niños y adultos. ¡Las familias o los hogares no son perfectos! Muchas familias se enfrentan a estos factores de riesgo sin tener la culpa. Los padres y las familias pueden participar en grupos comunitarios para disminuir los factores de riesgo y prevenir el abuso y la negligencia infantil. Este artículo puede ayudarlo a identificar esos factores de riesgo.

As April is Child Abuse Awareness month, we have discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their proven long-term effects on children and adults. Our main goal is to prevent ACEs for the children in our community. We hope these articles can help us work together towards that common goal. Families or homes are not perfect! Many families are confronted with these risk factors through no fault of their own. Parents and families can get involved in community groups to decrease risk factors and prevent child abuse and neglect. This article can help you identify those risk factors. [Click title for full article]

Traumatic events that occur in childhood can lead to levels of stress, “toxic stress,” that have long-term effects. Children are especially prone to physical changes in the brain from toxic stress. The negative effects of toxic stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are vast and well documented. When families, physicians, and communities work together, we can help prevent the negative impact of toxic stress and ACEs on our children. [Click title for full article]

Abril es el Mes de la Prevención del Abuso Infantil. Cada semana de abril, planeamos discutir diferentes aspectos de las experiencias adversas de la niñez y explorar las fortalezas en las familias y comunidades que pueden cambiar la vida de los niños al promover un ambiente más acogedor. Nadie tiene la familia "perfecta". Nuestro Equipo de Protección y Seguridad del Paciente de UTMB está comprometido a ayudar a las familias a evitar las consecuencias de las experiencias adversas de la niñez.

No one has the "perfect" family. Our UTMB Patient Safety and Protection Team is committed to helping families avoid the consequences of adverse childhood experiences. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Each week in April, we plan to discuss different aspects of adverse childhood experiences and explore the strengths in families and communities that can change children's lives by promoting a more nurturing environment. [Click title for full article]

(CLICK HEADING TO READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENTS ) ** Meet the new Pediatric Interns ** Allergy and COVID-19 symptoms can be difficult to differentiate. ** Does your infant have ECZEMA or an EGG Allergy?

(CLICK HEADING TO READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENTS ) ** FREE Interactive Activity for Kids - UTMB's Teddy Bear Clinic ** Allergy and COVID-19 symptoms can be difficult to differentiate. ** Does your infant have ECZEMA or an EGG Allergy?

UTMB primary care provider and associate professor Dr. Priya Kalia covered all things sleep during this recent interview with Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of the Houston Moms Blog. During the discussion, Dr. Kalia discussed optimal sleep times, sleep training, SIDS and how to counter interruptions that come with things like Spring Break and time changes

UTMB Health's Teddy Bear Clinic. Limited space is available, sign up now! Read full article and find out how you can register your child for a FREE virtual health fair session strictly for children.

(CLICK HEADING TO READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENTS ) ** February UTMB Health Pediatrics Grand Rounds for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ** Join the conversation—COVID & Kids Virtual discussion. UTMB's SCI-Cafe on Feb. 18th. ** Allergy and COVID-19 symptoms can be difficult to differentiate. ** Does your infant have ECZEMA or an EGG Allergy?

Infants fall. It happens all the time. Given these real and pervasive dangers, is it any wonder that there is little attention given to safe sitting? Falls from unsafe sitting can result in broken arms, clavicles, or even a fracture to the skull. One good habit is to survey your infant’s environment routinely, looking for unexpected dangers. Vigilance is an essential habit of healthy parenting! (Facts to consider can be found in full article.)

Lullabies are used to soothe babies to sleep. We have inherited them, and we pass them along. Although lullabies sound soothing and reassuring, their lyrics are often dark and far from comforting. Recent research has shown that lullabies sung live can have beneficial effects on premature infants' physiological function and development. Lullabies are associated with encouraging the rapid development of the neurological system. [Click Heading For Full Story]

Youth who want to return to physical activities and sports will need to be screened by their primary care pediatrician for heart symptoms. An abnormal screening evaluation requires referral to a pediatric cardiologist for an EKG or possibly additional cardiac tests. UTMB Health Pediatrics Division of Cardiology provides clinical services to children and youth from birth through 21 years of age. Pediatric cardiologists provide most of the necessary cardiac testing in an outpatient setting.

(CLICK HEADING TO READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENTS ) ** Kelly Carmichael, MD, presents, Splint Applications. UTMB Health Pediatrics Grand Rounds for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ** Allergy and COVID-19 symptoms can be difficult to differentiate. ** Does your infant have ECZEMA or an EGG Allergy?

Healthy New Year resolutions in 2021 for children—resolutions should be achievable and age-appropriate. In this Keeping Kids Healthy, Dr. Sally Robinson shares a great list of resolutions by age. Everyone wants a better year, and by working together, we can make it happen! #2021