How to Protect Your Family from a Measles Outbreak
As of March 6, 2025, the United States has had three measles outbreaks and a total of 222 cases across 12 states- a significant increase when compared to 2024.
Living with Spina Bifida
As a child with spina bifida grows, complications associated with the disease may surface and potentially deteriorate some of their physical and mental functional abilities. The goal of treatment is to monitor for these issues and try to prevent them.
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which an area of the spinal column does not form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back.
Parte 2: Terapia de salud/Behavioral Health Therapy
Gracias por acompañarnos estamos aquí en DMG estamos en el Departamento de Salud Mental y comportamiento y quiero saber qué es lo que tienes ahí platícame Qué significa eso Este es un corazón se es una actividad que hago con mis pacientes
Terapia de salud/Behavioral Health Therapy
Muy buenas tardes gente la Tricolor aquí me encuentro con arlín en dmg Sears y nos va a estar platicando de su rol aquí tan importante para los niños nombre serlín yo trabajo aquí desde el 2019 mi error es que integrar el cuidado…
¿Qué es un trabajador social y cómo apoya a los pacientes y familias de DMG CRS?
Hola qué tal Muy buenos días Nos encontramos otra vez en dmg aquí me encuentro con Gabriela Gabriela Muchísimas gracias por tomarte un tiempo de tu vida tan ocupada aquí y vamos a empezar Qué es una trabajadora social una trabajadora es más una persona para poder ayudar a esas familias agarrar los recursos…
Cómo los trabajadores sociales de DMG CRS apoyan a nuestros pacientes y sus familias
(DMG CRS) Los trabajadores sociales médicos se aseguran de que los pacientes y sus familias tengan acceso a la atención y el apoyo adecuados. Nuestros trabajadores sociales facilitan el tratamiento médico centrado en la familia durante las citas en persona y de telesalud.
Tips for Getting Children with Special Needs Vaccinated
By Troy Nelson, MD, pediatrician and medical director at DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services
Whether it’s childhood immunizations or vaccinations for the flu or COVID-19, getting a vaccine is an anxiety-causing process for many children. If your child has special needs or a complex medical condition, getting vaccinations can be more stressful for both you and your child.
Here’s some tips for supporting children with special needs getting vaccinated.
Before the appointment:
- Ask for an appointment on a day and time that is not busy in your pediatrician’s office.
- See if your child’s provider recommends pre-medicating with an over-the-counter pain reliever or using a topical numbing cream or spray.
- Be honest with your child and explain to them what will be happening. For some children, it might be appropriate to prepare a couple days in advance; for others it might be the day of the appointment.
- If possible, ask if your child can receive their vaccination in the car instead of going into the clinic.
Day of and during the appointment:
- Try to remain calm before and during the appointment. Children pick up on nervous or anxious energy, especially from their family. If you are calm, your child is more likely to remain calm.
- Bring your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll with them for comfort.
- If your child has a favorite provider, nurse, or medical assistant at your pediatrician’s office, ask for that person to be present to support your child.
- Ask that your child be vaccinated in a quiet exam room, away from noise, the waiting area, and other people.
- If appropriate, encourage your child to take some deep breaths.
- If able, help your child relax by asking them to shake their arms and legs in a silly way.
- Walk around with your child after the vaccination to distract them instead of sitting.
- If multiple vaccinations are being administered, ask the provider to take a break in-between if it will help your child.
- Reassure your child that they will be fine, and you and the provider will be there to support them.
- Reward your child. If your child is having more than one vaccination in a single appointment, you may want to reward them after each vaccination with a sticker or other small item they like.
As pediatricians, our goal at DMG CRS’ primary care clinic is to make every child’s appointment positive and comforting. Partnering with parents or guardians is key to this goal and making your child feel confident and safe with their medical providers. We’re here to listen and support you in managing your child’s health and wellness.
This article was originally published by dmgaz.org on August 2, 2022
The Importance and Safety of Childhood Vaccinations
By Pamela Murphy, MD, pediatrician in the Spina Bifida Clinic at DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services
Contents:
As a pediatrician, I am asked frequently about childhood vaccinations. Are they safe? Do they cause one disease while trying to prevent another? As a parent or guardian, it’s our responsibility to provide safe care for our children and asking questions and getting the facts from credible sources are part of that responsibility.
U.S. public health officials and physicians have been combating misconceptions about vaccine safety for more than twenty years. Despite these efforts, childhood immunization rates have fallen in the past two decades resulting in resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis) and measles. For example, in 2010, California saw more cases of whooping cough than any year since 1947, according to research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
August is Immunization Awareness Month. Let’s look at what childhood vaccinations are recommended when and address the most common misinformation about childhood vaccinations.
Recommended Childhood Vaccinations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has easy to review children’s vaccines schedules by age group on their website. All the vaccinations listed below are available at DMG CRS’ primary care clinic.
Early Childhood: Birth to Age 6
- Chickenpox/varicella
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Influenza (flu): recommended annually from age six months and on
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Pneumococcal conjugate disease (PCV13)
- Polio (IPV)
- Rotavirus (RV)
Children: Ages 7-18
In addition to any vaccines missed that were recommended during early childhood, the CDC recommends the following vaccines for kids ages 7-18:
- Flu (annually)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
- Tdap (the DTaP booster)
If your child has certain health conditions that put them at increased risk for serious diseases, your pediatrician may also recommend the following vaccinations be administered:
- Pneumococcal
- Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB)
COVID-19 Vaccine
The CDC also recommends children ages six months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccination, and children ages five and older also get the booster. The COVID-19 vaccination is not available at DMG CRS. For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations for children, including locations providing these vaccinations, visit the Maricopa County Public Health website.
Childhood Vaccinations: Debunking the Myths
According to PublicHealth.org, the following are the top three myths about childhood vaccinations.
Myth #1: Vaccines increase the risk of autism.
This hypothesis originated in 1997 from study by a British surgeon who concluded that the MMR vaccine was increasing autism in children in the United Kingdom. The article “has since been completely discredited due to serious procedural errors, undisclosed financial conflicts of interest, and ethical violations.” The physician author lost his medical license, and the paper was retracted.
Myth #2: Infant immune systems can’t handle so many vaccines.
The cells in the immune system are constantly being replenished, making it near impossible for a baby’s immune system to be overwhelmed by immunizations. In fact, babies are exposed to numerous bacteria and viruses every day; vaccines are minor in comparison.
Myth #3: Natural immunity is better than vaccine-acquired immunity.
While in some cases, catching a disease and getting sick (i.e., “natural immunity”) results in a stronger immunity to the disease than a vaccination, the risks outweigh the benefits. For example, if a child were to catch the measles, they would face a one in 500 chance of death from symptoms; in contrast, having a severe allergic reaction to the MMR vaccine is less than one-in-a-million according to the CDC.
As families travel more, especially internationally, the risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases increases. Even if the disease is not prevalent in the United States, it may be in other countries. COVID-19 gave us a strong example of how quickly a virus can spread from one continent to the next.
DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services’ (DMG CRS) primary care clinic specializes in medical care of all children. We know that, especially if your child has a complex condition, getting vaccinations can be challenging and concerning. Your child may have increased anxiety resulting from their medical conditions making getting immunizations even more scary for them. You may have questions about how vaccinations fit into your child’s therapy plan. Our pediatric primary care providers are here to answer your questions and provide compassionate, experienced, and individualized care to support the health of your child and your family.
Article originally published by dmgaz.org on August 1, 2022
Benefits of Breastfeeding for You and Your Baby
By Troy Nelson, MD, pediatrician and medical director, DMG Children’s Rehabilitative Services
Contents:
The baby formula shortage in the United States has prompted the need to find solutions to decrease the risk of a shortage impacting the country again. According to a recent article by NPR, often overlooked in the race to fill the gap is the most natural alternative: mother’s milk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends “exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for one year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.” Despite this recommendation, 2018 data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that only one in four babies born in the United States met this target; in Arizona, 50 to 60 percent of babies met this target.
So, why do mothers stop breastfeeding? According to the CDC, how long a mother breastfeeds is impacted by:
- Issues with lactation and latching
- Concerns about infant nutrition and weight
- Mother’s concern about taking medications while breastfeeding
- Unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave
- Cultural norms and lack of family support
- Unsupportive hospital practices and policies
The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding as well as medical experts in women’s health and pediatrics continue to push education about the benefits of breastfeeding. Let’s look at the benefits to you and your baby.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom
According to HealthyChildren.org, an AAP website, breastfeeding provides emotional, mental and physical health benefits to a mother, including:
Release of good hormones: During breastfeeding, hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin are released which produce peaceful, nurturing, and relaxing sensations that promote bonding with your infant.
Quicker uterus recovery: Oxytocin, released during breastfeeding, helps return the uterus to its regular size more quickly and can reduce postpartum bleeding.
Potential reduced risk of disease: Some studies have found that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
Natural contraception: Exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of the mother’s menstrual period, which can help extend the time between pregnancies.
Less expense: Formula can cost four to ten dollars a day or $1460-$3650 annually.
Ease of preparation: Human milk directly from the mother is the right temperature, so no taking time to warm bottles of formula.
Ease of travel: Whether you are going out to run an errand or for the day, no need to bring a bag of temperature-controlled formula.
Environmentally friendly: You get the satisfaction of knowing you are not contributing baby formula cans and packaging to landfills.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby
Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development. According to the CDC, the benefits of breast milk for your baby include:
The best source of nutrition for most babies, because as the baby grows, the mother’s milk will change to meet the baby’s needs.
Shared antibodies from the mother with her baby
Supports proper brain development through docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid found in breast milk
Helps protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases and decreases the risk of:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Ear infections
- Obesity
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Stomach viruses or illnesses
- Type 1 diabetes
If you have questions about breastfeeding or want more information, please contact your women’s health provider or pediatrician. We’re here to help you make the right decision for you and your baby and provide the support and resources needed for you to care for your newborn.
This post was originally published on June 8th, 2022 at DMGAZ.org