just kids | fall 2008

Children’s Hospital, Omaha, NE

justkidsjustkids

Pediatric EDs Can Care for Your Teen

Making Your Home Safe for Children

Hope for Critically Ill Infants

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Fall 2008

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Chi ld ren ’s Hosp i ta l | Fa l l 2008

ou want to improve your family’s health by encouraging your children to eat better foods. So you stock up on products you consider “healthy.” But are you really improving your family’s diet? When it comes to nutrient claims on foods, be sure to read the fine print.

Deciphering nutrient claimsCompanies can’t put just anything on their labels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all claims to be truthful and not misleading. That’s why the FDA has established definitions for words that appear on labels.

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Can “nutritious” Foods Be Bad for You?

Chi ld rensOmaha.orgTo f ind a phys ic ian , ca l l 1-800-833-3100

For example, you may think the words “natural,” “low-fat” and “healthy” on a label mean the food inside is good for you. According to the FDA, “natural” means a food does not have any synthetic or artificial ingredients. So, high-fat cheddar cheese might be natural, but if you’re trying to feed your children less fat, this “natural” food isn’t so healthy.

Foods labeled “low-fat” cannot have more than three grams of fat per serving. But low-fat foods are not always lower in calories. So if you’re monitoring your child’s weight, you need to pay attention to total calories—not just fat calories. And “healthy” means a food must meet criteria for certain nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. So, foods with lots of sugar

may contain lots of vitamins, but a better option would be a product

that is lower in sugar and more nutrient-rich.

reaD the labelWhen it comes to choosing healthy foods, go beyond the food claims and get to the facts—the Nutrition Facts on the label.

1. Start with the serving size, which is a lot smaller than most people realize. Consume three servings of a low-fat food and you’ve likely eaten the same amount of fat you would have in one serving of the full-fat version.

2. Next, look at the “percent daily value” (%DV), which indicates the percentage of the recommended daily intake for a specific nutrient in a serving of food. A food that has more than 20 percent daily value of a nutrient is considered “high” in that nutrient, while 5 percent or less DV is considered “low” in a given nutrient. These percentages are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

3. Use the DV percentages on the food label to guide you to select foods with less Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium, and more Dietary Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals.

“The key to a healthy diet is to eat a variety of foods from all food groups in moderation,” says Julie Schreiner, RD, LMNT, chief clinical dietician at Children’s Hospital. “Choose fiber rich, low fat and nutrient dense foods more often, and high fat, high sugar items less often.”

Eating better to help your family avoid health risks is a great goal. Armed with the facts, you can be sure your family’s healthy

diet truly is good for them. ✷

Dealing with a PiCkY eater? Concerns about under-eating and its cousin, over-eating, plague many parents

through a child’s younger, middle and adolescent years. Struggles over food may bring harmful clashes of wills that neither side ever “wins.” if you’re dealing with a picky eater in your household, visit our website, childrensOmaha.org. Simply click on “health information,” then on “Pediatric hints” to access our “Picky eater” hint for advice on how using a few common sense techniques can help ease the food battle.

As a parent, you hope your teen never gets hurt or severely ill. But over 22 million children ages 19 and younger are treated in emergency departments every year. That’s why bringing your teenager to Children’s Hospital, which has the state’s only Emergency Department (ED) designed especially for kids, is a good decision.

nOt Yet aDultsWhile teens may look like adults on the outside, they’re still growing and changing on the inside. Adolescents are in the process of changing from boys and girls into men and women. With that comes a variety of physical, mental and emotional changes. Pediatric EDs, like the one at Children’s Hospital, are specially designed and staffed to handle child and adolescent medical emergencies.

speciallY traineD staffOur doctors and nurses are specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine. They have additional expertise in easing the pain and anxiety that can come with emergencies. They are skilled at:■ Explaining what is happening to your

child during treatment■ Understanding that children might react

differently than adults■ Providing instructions on how to care

for your child when you get home■ Assessing the unique treatment needs of

children and teenagers. Some treatments for adults aren’t appropriate for kids. And medical research done with adults may not apply to teens.

cOmfOrtable careCrowded adult EDs can lead to long waits and a frightening atmosphere for young

patients. Some hospitals don’t treat children in their ED at all. But the Children’s ED staff are used to the conditions and ailments typical of children and teenagers.

In the pediatric ED, your child may get special services such as depression screening. If you feel that your child or teen is a danger to themselves or others, he or she needs to be seen by a health care professional.

In addition, your teen will have access to the quality pediatric specialists and staff at Children’s Hospital.

urgent Or emergencY? When your child or teen is seriously ill or injured, Children’s ED is the best bet for prompt, thorough emergency care. But what if your child’s injury is less severe? Children’s two Urgent Care centers are staffed by the board-certified pediatricians and pediatric nurses from Children’s Hosptial.

urgent care centersEach Urgent Care center is open seven days a week—on weekdays from 6 to 10 p.m., and on weekends and major holidays from noon to 10 p.m. While no appointment is necessary, you can call ahead to receive wait times at either location.

Benefits of using a Children’s Urgent Care center include:■ Staff experienced in all varieties of

pediatric sports and other injuries.■ Digital X-ray and lab services on site.■ Cuts and lacerations can be treated with

stitches or sealed with Dermabond.®■ The only Urgent Care centers in the

area specializing in pediatric care, with experienced pediatric nurses and board-

certified pediatricians on staff. ✷

PeDiatriC eDs: Designed to Care for Your teen

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Can “nutritious” Foods Be Bad for You?


When your child is sick or hurt, it can be difficult to determine whether an Urgent Care or Emergency Department is the best choice.

UrgEnt CarEUrgent Care centers treat illnesses and injuries that require medical attention, but are not life threatening. they should be used when your primary care physician’s office is closed. Common conditions that can be treated at Urgent Care centers include:

■ Ear infections

■ Sore throats

■ Minor burns

■ Minor asthma

■ Sprains or minor pains

■ Small lacerations

■ Fractures or broken bones that are not crooked and do not cause severe pain

EMErgEnCy DEpartMEntIf you are ever unsure about whether your child needs emergency care, treat it as an emergency. In general, take your child to an Emergency Department anytime you think the problem needs immediate attention, including for the following:

■ Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

■ Blue or purple lips, skin or fingernails

■ Chest or stomach pain or pressure

■ Seizures

■ animal, snake or human bites

■ Head, spinal cord or eye injuries

■ Infants under 2 months of age with a fever

■ Signs of allergic reaction such as hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes or tongue; fainting or trouble breathing

■ Uncontrolled pain

Urgent Care vs. ED

nO matter the emergencY, We can help children’s hospital has the only dedicated pediatric emergency Department in the region. it provides services around the clock. the urgent care centers are located just north of 144th and West center road (402-955-7200) and 138th and West maple road (402-955-3600). hours are monday through friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and weekends and holidays from noon to 10 p.m.

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olorful toys fill store aisles, but if you have a baby at home, it just might be time to get back to the basics. Children’s Hospital wants parents to realize that modern-day toys are not always the top choice for baby.

“When babies are placed in devices that keep them standing and upright, they are strengthening their legs before they’ve had a chance to strengthen their arms,” explains Penny Warren, PT, PCS, physical therapist at Children’s Hospital. “This can interrupt typical stages of development and cause delays.”

Warren emphasizes that parents need to facilitate regular rounds of tummy time.

“Tummy time is very important when babies are awake,” says Penny. “They will try to push themselves up or reach for an interesting toy. As they do this, they are propping up on their forearms, and then extending their arms. This is how they initially learn to roll over. Sitting is next, followed by crawling. It is a natural progression.”

Many parents may avoid tummy time because their baby doesn’t seem to like it. Warren points out this is not uncommon since babies like to be upright so they can see the world around them.

“Tummy time provides such a rich development opportunity. The key is

starting young,” she says. “If

Children’s Spotlight

Stick with tummY time for Babies

If you’re looking for a doctor for your child, you probably have lots of questions. Is the doctor

available by phone or e-mail? What if my child has special medical needs? you can start your search by calling Children’s Hospital’s

physician referral service toll-free at 800-833-3100. the service is available 24

hours a day, seven days a week. Calls are

answered by professional advisors with knowledge about the physicians and staff practicing at Children’s, as well as the services they offer. Bilingual advisors are available to assist Spanish-speaking families. you can also go to ChildrensOmaha.org and click on “Find a Doctor.” you can search for doctors by name or by specialty. you also can have a live chat with an advisor via the web, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Children’s Can Help you Find a Doctor for your Child


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mom and dad aren’t trying tummy time by four, five or six months, the kids are not going to like it. Start out with small amounts early on and it will help them adjust.”

When it comes to play and development for babies, Penny offers the following recommendations:■ Never use walkers on wheels.■ Avoid jumpers, including

those that attach to a doorframe.

■ Limit exersaucer time to 15-20 minutes sessions, and only two sessions daily.

■ Make sure the floor is a safe area—no hard wood, tile, pets or young siblings.

■ Always supervise tummy time.■ Only engage in tummy time when

baby is awake and alert.“Babies learn by exploring their

environment. If there is a toy out of reach, they are going to roll, scoot or pivot to

reach it,” says Warren. ✷

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DiD You know? Children’s offers occupational and physical therapy for children from newborns through age 21. to learn more, go to childrensOmaha.org, click on “Programs and Services” and “outpatient Services.”

There are probably few things more important to you than your child’s health and well-being. That’s why parents should be as safety conscious in the home as they are outside the home. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 2.5 million children are injured or killed in the home each year. In fact, more children die from unintentional injury each year than from all childhood diseases combined.

“As the weather turns colder and children’s activities are focused inside the home, now is a good time to take a look around your house and safeguard against hazards,” says Tracy Rouse, Children’s Hospital injury prevention coordinator.

supervisiOn is keY According to the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the most impor-tant first step is to make certain your children are supervised at all times by informed care providers to help prevent injuries from occurring. In addition, NACHRI suggests the following tips to childproof your home:

stairs anD hallWaYsInstall safety gates at the top and bottom of a stairway to keep children out of these danger zones. Never use pressure gates at the top of the stairs. Instead, choose a gate that requires mounting hardware and is designed for use at the top of a set of stairs. In addition, keep the stairs

and hallways free of clutter and never use baby walkers with wheels. Stationary walkers are recommended.

fire safetYTo protect your family from a fire, install a working smoke detector at each level of your home and in every sleeping area. Test it monthly and change the batteries every six months when you change your clocks for daylight-saving time. Plan and practice a family escape plan with two ways out of each room and a safe meeting place outside.

In addition, install a carbon monoxide detector in each level of your house. Test it monthly and change the batteries according to the instructions that come with the detector or every six months.

Other fire safety tips include:■ Keep flammable materials locked away

and out of a child’s reach.■ Select a multipurpose fire extinguisher

that can be used on all types of home fires.

■ Never leave candles, fires or portable heaters unattended.

WinDOWsYour child may seem too small to reach a window, but he or she can climb on other nearby items to reach it. Open or unlocked windows, even those with a screen, can become a falling hazard. Use special window guards installed tightly and securely to prevent falls. Utilize window locks to make sure windows do not open more than four inches. If you rent and need assistance with this, speak with your building’s superintendent.

unsuperviseD rOOmsIt’s best to keep the doors closed to extra rooms when you’re not using them. Place door knob covers on all the doors off the hallway to keep your toddler from entering. If you have a home office or work area, it’s best to keep this room off limits to your child. There are many sharp and dangerous items that are common in offices, like pushpins, staples and paperclips. Be sure to keep these items out of your child’s reach. Store household products and medications

out of a child's sight and reach.✷

5Chi ld rensOmaha.orgTo f ind a phys ic ian , ca l l 1-800-833-3100

Putting Safety First Children’s hospital, with support from kohl’s Department Stores, is dedicated to preventing accidental injury and educating families to put safety first. Children’s is the proud leader of the Safe kids omaha Chapter. Safe kids omaha organizes activities and leverages resources through our valuable partners in an effort to protect children in our community from accidental injury. to learn more about our injury prevention program, visit childrensOmaha.org and click on the “Safe kids” link on the left side of the page.

making Your home Safe for Children

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Parents Spotlight

new, cutting-edge technology for infants who face a serious complication following birth is available at Children’s Hospital. The Olympic Cool-Cap system represents an important advance in treatment for babies with brain injuries.

The cap is intended for use on infants who suffer from a rare complication at birth called HIE. This complication can be caused by fetal stress from umbilical cord issues, detached placentas, infection or

other delivery issues that interfere with the oxygen supply to the baby’s brain.

“The vast majority of cases like this are the result of a natural, but devastating, occurrence toward the end of pregnancy,” explains Brady Kerr, MD, Children’s Hospital neonatologist. “While not common, it can cause severe disabilities or even death, which is why a therapy like this is significant.”

hOW it WOrksThe Cool-Cap resembles an oversized infant’s hat. It consists of a cooling unit, temperature probes and a water-filled cap covered with a reflective metal foil. When placed on the baby’s head, the cap helps to cool down the brain. This process reduces the brain’s need for energy, which can also help reduce damage caused by HIE.

“In cooling the brain, we’re helping to decrease cell activity,” says Dr. Kerr. “This


f a m i l y - c e n t e r e d c a r e a t c h i l d r e n ’ s

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leading-edge technology offers hope to Critically ill infants

The Olympic Cool-Cap system, which is used in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital, represents an important advance in treatment for babies with brain injuries. The Cool-Cap consists of a cooling unit, temperature probes and a water-filled cap covered with a reflective metal foil (pictured above).

means the injured brain cells don’t have to work as hard.”

timing is everYthingThe Cool-Cap is recommended for use within the first six hours after birth. The cooling therapy continues for 72 hours, and is then followed by a gradual re-warming process. Dr. Kerr points out that the timing of the treatment is important.

“Studies have shown that babies who are started on this therapy soon after birth have a better outcome,” he says. “The more quickly we can react, the better the chance that we can slow the damage and make a difference for this child.”

The Olympic Cool-Cap is used in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital. As a Level III-C NICU, providing the highest level of neonatal care, the NICU team at Children’s treats many of the most critically ill infants from throughout the region.

“In offering Cool-Cap therapy, Children’s Hospital is working to do all it can for babies who traditionally have not had many treatment options,” says Thomas Seidel, MD, neonatologist and medical director of the Children’s Hospital NICU.

“If we can intervene and try to prevent or lessen some of the

difficulties for these patients, we may improve long-term outcomes for them,” says

Dr. Kerr. ✷

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Free CarePages Service RedesignedCarepages, a free web-based communica-

tion tool available to Children’s Hospital’s

patients and families, has been redesigned.

Carepages are free, personalized web

pages created by patients or their loved

ones that connect people who care during

a health challenge.

Carepages give families greater

control over the flow of information

during and after hospitalization, since they

can share updates at a time that is right for

them. relatives and friends call less often

because they are automatically notified via

e-mail whenever Carepages are updated.

“Staying connected to family and friends

is an important part of the recovery

process,” says terry patterson, Family

resources Center manager. “Simply

knowing that loved ones care makes a

big difference, and Carepages offers a way

to stay connected.”

the redesign includes a new look and

feel, including new add-on features and

content that make the service easier for

families to use. the site redesign includes:

• Better navigation

• Easier login and registration

• new add-on features and tools, including

daily status posts, recent updates section,

patient profile section, and links directly from

the Carepages homepage.

Members can create a Carepage in less

than five minutes. Once the page is created,

families can share health updates and photos,

receive supportive messages from friends

and family and send a compliment to a

hospital staff member for providing

outstanding patient care.

to create a page, families simply need to

visit www.carepages.com/chsomaha and

click on the Carepage link. From there,

families can register and follow a few

simple steps to complete their Carepage.

For more information on Carepages,

go to the Children’s Hospital web site,

ChildrensOmaha.org, or the Carepages

website, www.Carepages.com.

neeD a DoCtor For Your ChilD? call the children’s hospital find-a-Doctor service at 1-800-833-3100.


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Visit our website at ChildrensOmaha.org.

Don’t let the Flu Bring Down Your Family

just kids is published by Children’s Hospital to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician. © 2008. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

Gary A. Perkins, President and CEO

Martin W. Beerman, Vice President, Marketing and Community Relations

David G.J. Kaufman, MD, Medical Advisor

Dannee Hartley, Marketing Coordinator

printed on recyclable paper 881M

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

icture it: You and your spouse are battling body aches and the sniffles. Your oldest child has an excruciating cough. Your little one is fighting a fever. Sound like a nightmare? It’s more like a portrait of your family coping with its very own flu outbreak.

“We tend to forget how serious the flu can be,” says John Andresen, MD, a pediatrician with Children’s Physicians Val Verde. “This is more than feeling ‘under

Postmaster: Please deliver between December 1 and 5.

the weather’ for a day or two. Influenza can be quite intense. Some children will become very ill.”

To help you and your loved ones dodge the flu, take the following steps: ■ Consider a flu vaccine, especially if your

family includes those who are at high risk for getting a serious case of the flu. These include people age 50 and older; adults and children with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma; children ages 6 months to 18 years; close contacts of children ages 6 months to 18 years; and women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during the flu season, which is typically November through March.

■ People who live with, or are in close contact with, these high-risk individuals also should be vaccinated.

■ Remember that doorknobs, phones and other surfaces have something in common: germs. Wash them frequently with a disinfectant.

■ Remind family members to wash their hands often with soap and warm water for 15 seconds.

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■ Don’t share drinking glasses or eating utensils with your loved ones.

■ Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise so your immune system stays charged. “Every parent, child and caregiver who

can be vaccinated, should be vaccinated. It really is an important step in preventing a wider community outbreak,” Dr. Andresen

explains. ✷

just kids | fall 2008

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