just kids | fall 2012

Fall 2012ChildrensOmaha.org

CYBERBULLYINGIs Your Child Affected? 4

HEALTHTEACHEROnline Wellness Program 9

HELICOPTER PARENTCould You Be One? 11

JustKids

Family Meals Promote

Children’s Healthy living

p6

Your Online Source for Health InfoFor the latest information and news, support groups, events, patient stories and perspectives from our physicians, check out these online resources:

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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. © 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

➍ Stop Cyberbullying

➎ Parenting U Classes

➏ Family Meals Promote Children’s Healthy Eating

➐ Cholesterol Tests for Children

➑ Kids’ Stuff: Be Wary When Buying Used

➒ HealthTeacher Online Educational Wellness Program

➓ Power Play: Why Children Need Time for Fun

Grounding the Helicopter Parent

Children’s Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

Contents

ChildrensOmaha.org JustKids Gary A. Perkins President and CEO Martin W. Beerman Vice President, Marketing

and Community Relations David G.J. Kaufman, MD Medical Advisor Dannee Schroeder Senior Editor

NeW FeTAl CAre CeNTer TAKeS ShAPeChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center, Alegent Creighton Health Strive to Fill Service Gap

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

What’sNew?Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Alegent Creighton

Health are working together to launch a new Fetal Care Center

available to serve families from across the region. The Fetal

Care Center at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in

affiliation with Alegent Creighton Health will focus on the

coordination of care for babies diagnosed with complex

congenital defects before birth.

“The Fetal Care Center represents a high level of medical

collaboration focused on doing what’s best for the patient,”

says Kathy English, executive vice president and chief

operating officer at Children’s. “We’re taking the pediatric

expertise of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and

combining it with the obstetrical experience and expertise

of Alegent Creighton Health to give very sick babies the

best chance of survival from birth and beyond.”

“Providing a seamless continuum of care for the families

that have babies with complex congenital conditions has been

our guiding force,” says Lisa Strasheim, operations leader for

women’s and children’s services at Alegent Creighton Health.

“From high risk medical management of the pregnancy to

delivery of the baby, our goal is to provide the best care for

these babies while also providing the safest environment

for the mother,” Strasheim added.

Planning for each StageWhile each situation will be unique based on diagnosis,

the service involves comprehensive care planning and

coordination that encompasses every stage from fetal

diagnosis through birth and post-delivery treatment.

“We are pleased to provide this new, higher level of care

to families together with Alegent Creighton Health,” says

English. “The Fetal Care Center gives our specialists the

opportunity to be involved early on and to develop a fully

integrated and multidisciplinary approach to treatment

that can begin at the moment of birth.”

A fetal care coordinator, based at Children’s, will interact

directly with expectant mothers who have been referred to

the Fetal Care Center due to a prenatal diagnosis of a complex

congenital defect. The fetal care coordinator will assist in

scheduling appointments with pediatric specialists and

others who will be involved in the baby’s post-birth care.

Alegent Creighton Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center

will be closely involved in perinatal aspects of care with the

mother, including labor and delivery.

“As a system that delivers more babies than anyone in the

region, Alegent Creighton brings the experience and expertise

needed to provide the best delivery and post-partum care for

mothers in whatever environment the family and physician

determines is best for the baby,” says Strasheim.

Choosing Where to DeliverThe location of delivery may be at a mother’s home hospital,

Alegent Creighton Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center, or

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.

“The decision on where the baby will be delivered will be

made by the team of physicians in collaboration with the

mother’s obstetrician rooted in what is best and safest for

mother and baby,” explains English. “Based on past experience,

we know that some babies should be delivered at Children’s

because they require immediate intervention in the operating

room or the pediatric hybrid heart catheterization lab.”

Children’s and Alegent Creighton Health anticipate the first

deliveries through the Fetal Care Center could occur in late

2012. Outpatient care coordination officially began on July 15.

We’re taking the pediatric expertise of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and combining it with the obstetrical experience and expertise of Alegent Creighton Health to give very sick babies the best chance of survival from birth and beyond.

— Kathy English, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

ChildrensOmaha.org 3

Kids suffer stress. And one big reason for back-to-

school stress is fear of bullies.

A study in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral

Pediatrics found that nine out of 10 third through sixth

graders answered “yes” to questions such as, “Other

students tease me” or, “At recess, I play by myself.”

Bullying hurts. Kids who often get bullied may:

• Feel depressed, lonely and anxious

• Have low self-esteem

• Want to stay home from school

• Get sick or cry more often

• Have trouble sleeping

• Think about suicide.

The New Face of Bullying Boys aren’t the only bullies. These days,

girls are increasingly likely to join them.

And kids’ bullying may go further than

hitting and kicking or teasing and excluding.

Cyberbullying can take place via instant

messaging (IM), email, chat rooms, web pages,

video games, and images and messages sent

via cell phones.

The worst thing about cyberbullying? It’s

anonymous, and it doesn’t end at the school

yard. Cybervictims can be attacked 24 hours

a day, every day of the week.

Making School a Safe PlaceDoes your child seem stressed? Symptoms may

include nightmares, eating disturbances and

new fears or behaviors, such as stubbornness.

To see if bullying is the cause, ask your child:

• Who sits with you at lunchtime?

• Have you ever gotten a mean email,

text or IM?

• Do you ever see someone picking on

another kid? What happens?

• Who could you ask to help a kid

who’s being bullied?

In addition, give your child the following tips:

• Always tell a trusted adult if you see bullying

going on. Bring a friend if you’re scared to

do this alone.

• Stay in a group. Join activities to meet

other kids.

• Try not to let the bully see you’re upset. Tell

him or her calmly to stop, or just walk away.

• Never reply to a cyberbully. If possible,

block communication from this person,

save the nasty message and tell an adult.

My Child, The BullyBullying is a learned behavior. If you suspect

your child is a bully, act quickly:

PuT A STOP TO BullYiNG

To learn more, enter the search term “bully” at our website at HealthLibrary.ChildrensOmaha.org.

Making School Days Happy for your Child

• Talk with your child. Explain that this

type of behavior is unacceptable and

will result in firm consequences.

• Learn what’s going on in your child’s life.

Is peer pressure involved? Is your child

bullying to avoid being bullied himself?

• Set a good example. Make sure you

handle problems or conflict in a mature

and calm manner.

• Seek professional help if needed.

“All children are potentially negatively

impacted by bully behavior, including the

victim, the witness and yes, even the bully,”

says Mike Vance, PhD, a pediatric psychologist

with Children’s Behavioral Health. “Open

communication with adults is key to establishing

prevention programs. Prevention programs are

superior to reaction programs because they stop

the problem before it hurts anyone.”


Children’s experts Offer helpful Tips with Free Parenting u Classes

PARENTING U UPCOmING DATEsEach 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 on to ChildrensOmaha.org/ParentingU to register today.

Here For You: Parenting U Classes This Fall

With the arrival of a child, there are some things you learn automatically, like how little sleep an adult actually needs to function, the importance of sippy cups, and that polar bears may be hiding in your closets. For other

lessons—including the skills to get through those all-important first years—there’s Parenting U from Children’s Hospital & medical Center. These are 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.

Free PAreNTiNG ClASSeS

Call 800-833-3100, or log on to ChildrensOmaha .org/ParentingU to register today.

Tuesday, Sept. 11 Preparing for Your Newborn steven sindelar, mD, FAAP, Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, Sept. 18 Baby’s First Yearsmichelle mogenson, DO, FAAP, Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, Sept. 25Effective Time Out TechniquesAshley Harlow, PhD, NCsP, Children’s Behavioral Health

Tuesday, Oct. 2Mastering Potty TrainingKatie Anglim, mD, FAAP, Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, Oct. 9Healthy Nutrition for ToddlersLaura Wilwerding, mD, FAAP, Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, Oct. 16Surviving the Trying Two’sTony Yaghmour, mD, FAAP, Children’s Physicians

Tuesday, Oct. 23 Childhood Obesity Prevention & ManagementCristina Fernandez, mD, FAAPChildren’s Weight management Clinic

Tuesday, Oct. 30Preparing for Your Newborn Jamie Drake, mD, FAAP, Children’s Physicians


feature story

In a new research review, scientists combined

the results of 17 different studies. Eating

three or more family meals per week reduced

children’s and teens’ odds of being overweight

by 12 percent.

Eating together also made children

24 percent more likely to eat healthy foods

such as fruits and veggies. They were also less

likely to munch on fried foods or unhealthy

snacks, or to develop eating disorders.

A New TraditionToday’s families are busy. So, how can parents

keep family meal time important despite

everyone’s hectic schedules? Make it a

family tradition.

During meals, casual conversation can be

an easy and natural way to learn about and

The newest weapon in the war on childhood obesity just might be the family dinner table.

become involved with your child’s life.

Reviewing family schedules and arranging

events during meals also can avoid future

confusion or misunderstandings.

With today’s busy lives, creating a mealtime

tradition may seem difficult. But eating doesn’t

have to occur at the same time every night.

And meals certainly don’t need to be elaborate.

Whether you’re doing the cooking or ordering

carryout, sitting down for a few minutes

together can do wonders for a family.

To get the most from family meals, invite

your children to help plan and prepare them.

When the table’s set, turn off the TV and

concentrate on catching up.

Meals on the GoYou can even keep your family meal tradition

when you’re on the go. Simply pack the family

meal ahead of time and take it with you. When

planning a healthy meal-on-the-go, keep these

tips in mind:

• Go with grain. Select healthy whole-grain

For Children’s and Kohl’s, Obesity Prevention = Cure

FAmILY mEALsPROmOTE HEALTHY EATING

Obesity is the top health issue facing families. A new health assessment co-sponsored by Children’s suggests 30 percent of children age 5 to 17 in Douglas, sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties are overweight or obese. Nearly half of the parents surveyed said their children don’t eat five servings of fruits and vegetables, and 20 percent

admitted that three or more of their child’s meals in the past week consisted of fast food.

These discoveries are the inspiration behind a new, community-based program at Children’s called Healthy Kohl’s Kids. With a focus on prevention, the program will dish up information to fuel smart choices for healthy eating

and exercise. Through outreach to schools and involvement in community events, Children’s hopes to shape healthy habits and build healthier families now and into the future. Funding will come in part from Kohl’s Department stores. since 2000, Kohl’s has donated more than $1.2 million to Children’s Hospital & medical Center.

bread, tortillas, pitas or crackers.

• lower the fat. Try low-fat versions

of lunchmeat. Tuna packed in water

is another good choice.

• Vary the veggies. Add thinly sliced

vegetables to sandwiches. Pack a

little bag of carrots or pepper strips.

• Favor fruit. Bananas, apples, sliced

kiwi, raisins or dried apricots are all

great choices.

• Don’t forget dessert. Choose a healthy

treat such as vanilla wafers, graham

crackers or a low-fat granola bar.

Looking for some ideas to eat healthier? Check out our wide variety of healthy recipes at http://health library.childrensomaha.org/Library/Recipes.

heAlThY reCiPeS ONliNe


Cholesterol Tests for Children? You Bet!When you think of health threats to grade-

schoolers, you probably don’t include cholesterol.

Yet children with high cholesterol face an increased

risk for heart attacks and strokes later in life.

So in November 2011, the American Academy of

Pediatrics and the National Heart, Lung and Blood

Institute announced new guidelines that promote

cholesterol screenings for kids. An expert panel

now recommends that children ages 9 to 11 should

receive at least one cholesterol screening, with one

more between ages 18 and 21.

Previous recommendations sought cholesterol

screening only in children whose parents had high

cholesterol or heart disease. But relying solely on

family history may miss as many as three out of

five cases of high childhood cholesterol—a major

risk factor for cardiovascular problems.

Controlling Kids’ Cholesterol Screenings can help parents and doctors find and

treat heart disease risk factors at an early age.

Parents can also promote healthy cholesterol levels,

in part by making healthy lifestyle changes:

• limit saturated fats. Chicken nuggets, pizza and

French fries should not be staples in a child’s

diet. Offer healthier unsaturated fats found in

nuts, peanut butter and other nut butters, salmon

and other fatty fish and cooking oils made from

canola, peanuts, corn, safflower or soy. Favor

low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt.

• Make fruits, veggies and whole grains a dietary

staple. Instead of handing your child a bag of

potato chips for a snack, offer cut-up carrot sticks

or apple slices. Encourage your child to eat at

least three or four servings of fruit and three or

four servings of vegetables a day. Offer whole-

grain breads, cereals and crackers.

• encourage your child to move. Limit screen

time (television, computer and video gaming) to

a total of two hours a day or less. Head outside

with your child to play. Make at least an hour of

physical activity a daily—and fun—part of your

child’s life.

• Watch your child’s weight. Discuss your child’s

body mass index with a pediatrician to make

sure its within the right range. If your child is

overweight or obese, find ways to cut calories

and fat and to work in more regular exercise.


If you’re a new parent

watching expenses, it

can be tempting to buy

secondhand toys, cribs,

playpens and car seats at

thrift stores or yard sales.

But doing so without

checking for safety problems

could put your child at risk.

In 2011 alone, the Consumer

Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) recalled more than

100 children’s products and

toys due to safety issues.

While a 2008 federal law

made it illegal to sell recalled

items, they often turn up at

yard sales, consignment

shops or online auction sites.

Knowing how to tell the good

from the bad can help you

save money while protecting

your family from harm.

Across the BoardNo matter what you need,

these general precautions

apply:

• Check for recalls. Visit the

CPSC website, www.cpsc.gov, to check for recalled products

and to sign up for recall updates via email.

• Don’t buy without a manual. This is especially important for items

such as car seats, playpens and cribs that must be adjusted or

assembled. A manual will include safety warnings for a product.

Without a manual, you run the risk of using or assemblying the

product improperly. This could endanger your child.

Cribs Don’t buy a used crib without double-checking that the item has not

been recalled. The CPSC has recalled more than 11 million drop-side

cribs in which infants have been injured, some fatally, since 2007.

Stricter CPSC safety standards for new cribs took effect in 2011.

Whether your baby’s crib is new or used, it’s important to check

it frequently for broken or loose parts.

KeeP YOur ChilDreN SAFeTo stay up-to-date with the latest safety information about a wide range of product recalls, visit us online at www.ChildrensOmaha.org/Recalls.

Car SeatsDon’t buy a used car seat

because:

• You don’t know whether

it’s been recalled or in

a crash.

• It doesn’t come with an

instruction manual that

specifies how to install

it safely in your vehicle

and restrain your child.

• It could have missing parts

or invisible crash damage.

Toys Buying used toys saves

money and keeps them out of

landfills. To make sure these

items are safe, look out for:

• lead paint. Exposure

to lead can cause brain

damage as well as hearing

and sight disabilities. To be

safe, avoid used toys and

jewelry made in China and

Mexico, as well as anything

with flaking paint.

• Toys made with PVC,

BPA or phthalates. Avoid

toys with a “V,” #3 plastic resin or #7 recycling stamp on the bottom.

• Mercury. In particular, necklaces made in Mexico are often filled

with mercury.

Remember, whether you’re buying new or used baby gear or accepting

free hand-me-downs, double-checking all items for safety is a must.

KIDs’ sTUFF: Be Wary When Buying Used


Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is putting

the wise old saying about “an ounce of prevention”

into action by sponsoring the HealthTeacher

online wellness educational program. Children’s

is offering the program free of charge to the

413 public and private schools in Douglas,

Washington, Dodge, Saunders, Sarpy and Cass

counties in Nebraska, and Pottawattamie,

Harrison and Mills counties in Iowa.

“HealthTeacher is an easy-to-access and use

health education tool that is proving its value

nationwide,” says Martin W. Beerman, vice

The MOre YOu KNOW

HealthTeacher Online Educational Wellness Program Helps Children

president of Marketing and Community

Relations at Children’s. “We are bringing it

to this area for the first time and presenting it

to 47 school districts and nearly 160,000

students as a gift to their good health.”

HealthTeacher is a series of online health

education lesson plans for teachers and

resources for parents. It includes a library

of more than 300 kindergarten-through 12th

grade sessions organized around 10 health topics

defined by National Health Education Standards:

nutrition, personal and consumer health,

physical activity, anatomy, alcohol and

other drugs, tobacco, community and

environmental health, family health and

sexuality, mental and emotional health, and

injury prevention. HealthTeacher addresses

the top six health risk behaviors identified

by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention.

“Good and bad habits form very early in

life,” Beerman says. “If we can plant the

seed for good health habits at school and

carry them over to the home, we hope to

teach children how to live a healthier

lifestyle through their adolescence and

into adulthood.”

The program seeks to:

• Increase the health literacy of all teachers.

• Enable teachers to overcome constraints

that limit health education in the

classroom.

• Provide the knowledge, skills and

tools that increase the health literacy

of all students.

• Engage parents and other key

community stakeholders to reinforce

healthy behaviors among children.

In addition to working with many educators

directly, HealthTeacher collaborates with its

healthcare partners to incorporate feedback

and to develop timely, new topics. The

program includes lessons that can be taken

home and used by the entire family to help

influence healthier habits.

“School districts are facing many

challenges today such as limited health

education resources and budget cuts,”

Beerman says. “Keeping children healthy

keeps them in school. An Alliance for a

Healthier Generation survey indicates that

nearly 95 percent of responding parents say

health education is as important as math,

science and English, and we at Children’s

agree with them.

“Comprehensive health education

prepares children for long, healthy lives.

That is why Children’s is taking the lead

by making HealthTeacher a resource for

teachers, parents and children throughout

the metropolitan Omaha area.”


Power Play: Why Children Need Time for Fun“OK, you’ve got soccer right after school, then

your violin lesson. On the way to French club

you can work on your finger puppets, and then

you’ve got to finish your science fair diorama

and practice your routine for ballet. That’s

tomorrow after school, right before youth

choir and right after karate class. Now hurry

up—we’re going to be late!”

Experts agree: For too many American families,

life is hurried and overscheduled for children and

parents alike. When you start seriously thinking

that your 6-year-old could use a BlackBerry, it’s

time to sit down, take a deep breath and consider

a recent report from the American Academy of

Pediatrics. In it, child-health experts offer a

ringing endorsement of something many

families aren’t getting much of: playtime.

The Meaning of PlaytimePlaytime means unscheduled time in which

children can just, well, play. Playing with

others—whether peers or parents—is

how children learn to explore the world,

experiment with rules, cooperate and

problem solve. Play encourages children

to exercise, helps them adjust more easily

to school, enhances their ability to learn

and teaches them vital social and

emotional skills.

exercise as Playtime Another benefit of playtime is it’s an excellent

way to keep your child physically active. It is

vital for children’s (and adults) overall health

and well-being that they are physically active.

Kids are much more likely to participate in

activities that they find enjoyable, and don’t

see as work. Active play with friends and

family is a great way for kids to get exercise–

and have a lot of fun at the same time.

“Parents need to lead by example,” says

Jamie Drake, MD, a pediatrician with

Children’s Physicians. “If parents have a

healthy, and active, lifestyle, their children are

more likely to have healthy habits as well.”

help Your Child Get Balanced“But they can’t just play their way into

Harvard, can they?” True. That’s why experts

say this is the key: a balance of school,

structured activities and unstructured

playtime. If you think your children could

benefit from better balance in their lives,

these tips may help:

• Limit children to two extracurricular

activities—ones that they really enjoy.

• Guard family time as precious. Make

family nights a priority over other activities.

• Value—and model—downtime. If your

children see you enjoying walks in the

park or daydreaming in a swing,

they’ll be more likely

to do so, too.

FiND The riGhT DOCTOrSelecting a physician who’s a good fit for your family is important. You—and your child—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.


Some parents say they’re advocating for

their child. Others say they’re just keeping a

watchful eye. No matter how they describe it,

helicopter parenting—the term used when

parents are too involved—can cause problems.

Traits of helicopter parents might include

arguing with teachers to have grades changed,

micromanaging playdates and considering

themselves their child’s best friend. Helicopter

parents often know about their tendencies and

don’t see anything wrong with them.

Not everyone agrees that parents can be too

involved. But some experts say excess attention

may leave children unhappy and unable to

form their own values. In the quest to create

a perfect world for children, helicopter

parents might be doing them an injustice.

Studies say children with helicopter parents

have been found to be more dependent,

neurotic and prone to unexplained aches

and pains—traits few of us want.

GROUNDING THE HELICOPTER PARENT

If you tend to hover, there’s good news. It’s

not too late for a safe landing. You can find the

right balance between providing advocacy and

support on one hand and fostering your child’s

independence and problem-solving skills on

the other hand.

These tips can help:

• Give yourself a time-out. Before you

intervene with the teacher, bring the

forgotten lunch or homework to school, or

sign up your child for something without

asking him, take a breath. Ask yourself if

your child really needs you to do this for

him. Consider the learning experience that

may result if you don’t act. This could be

the lesson that teaches your child to

remember to double-check he has

everything before leaving for school.

• Balance your reaction with common sense.

Your child didn’t share with a friend during

a playdate? Don’t blow your top and ban

those get-togethers until age 30. Instead,

talk with your child about your family’s

rules for sharing and your expectations.

• View failure as an opportunity for growth.

Remember that the painful moments

provide children with a better

understanding of who they are and

where they need improvement.

Not everyone agrees that parents can be too involved. But some experts say that excess attention can leave children unhappy.


Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center

8200 Dodge StreetOmaha, NE 68114402-955-5400

881M

Children’s ranked #44 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery and #47 in

Cancer. This is the first ranking for the hospital’s cancer program

and its second consecutive ranking for cardiology and heart surgery.

“We’re honored to be ranked among the best children’s hospitals

in the country. The patients and families we serve provide a constant

stream of inspiration as we challenge ourselves and our organization

to always provide the highest level of care,” said Gary A. Perkins,

FACHE, president and CEO of Children’s.

“We’re very pleased for the recognition of our excellence,” added

Dr. Carl Gumbiner, Children’s senior vice president of medical affairs

and chief medical officer. “But, it’s not the recognition we’re looking

for, it’s the excellence itself.”

This year, U.S. News surveyed 178 pediatric centers to obtain hard data

such as availability of key resources and ability to prevent complications

and infections. The hospital survey made up 75 percent of the rankings.

A separate reputational survey in which 1,500 pediatric specialists —

150 in each specialty — were asked where they would send the sickest

ChildrensOmaha.org

SuBSCriBe NOW To subscribe to health-e kids, our free monthly e-newsletter, visit ChildrensOmaha.org and click on the e-newsletter icon located on the right side of the home page.

children in their specialty made up the remaining 25 percent. Eighty

hospitals across the country ranked in one or more specialties.

“Children’s Hospital & Medical Center deserves high praise for

its accomplishments,” said Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow.

“It has a reservoir of dedication and expertise that helps the sickest

children. Our goal at U.S. News is to identify and call attention to

pediatric centers like this one.”

Visit www.usnews.com/childrenshospitals for the full rankings and methodology. These rankings are also published in the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2013 Guidebook.

eNewsletterSign-up

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

TWO BEsT CHILDREN’s HOsPITAL RANKINGs FOR 2012-13Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is ranked in two specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2012–13 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.

just kids | fall 2012

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