Conditions & Symptoms

Almost all children have times when their attention or behavior veers out of control. However, for some children, these types of behaviors are more than an occasional problem. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have behavior problems that are so frequent and severe that they interfere with their ability to function adequately on a daily basis.

ADHD is a chronic condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior.

The condition affects behavior in specific ways. For example, children with ADHD often have trouble getting along with siblings and other children at school, at home, and in other settings. Those who have trouble paying attention usually have trouble learning. An impulsive nature may put them in actual physical danger. Because children with ADHD have difficulty controlling this behavior, they may be labeled “bad kids” or “space cadets.”

Effective treatment is available. If your child has ADHD, your pedia­trician can offer a long-term treatment plan to help your child lead a happy and healthy life. As a parent, you have a very important role in this treatment.

Left untreated, ADHD in some children will continue to cause ­serious, lifelong ­problems, such as poor grades in school, run-ins with the law, failed relationships, and the inability to keep a job.

ADHD includes 3 groups of behavior symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Not all children with ADHD have all the symptoms.

Children with ADHD may have one or more of the symptom groups listed in the table above. The symptoms are usually classified by the following types of ADHD:

• Inattentive only (formerly known as attention-deficit disorder [ADD])—Children with this form of ADHD are not overly active. Because they do not disrupt the classroom or other activities, their symptoms may not be noticed. Among girls with ADHD, this form is more common.
• Hyperactive/impulsive—Children with this type of ADHD show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but they can pay attention. They are the least common group and are frequently younger.
• Combined inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive—Children with this type of ADHD show a number of symptoms in all 3 dimensions. It is the type that most people think of when they think of ADHD.

If your child has shown symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than 6 months, please make an appointment to discuss this with your pediatrician.

In most cases, ADHD treatment should include: 

• A long-term management plan with
  • Target outcomes for behavior
  • Follow-up activities
  • Monitoring
• Education about ADHD
• Teamwork among doctors, parents, teachers, caregivers, other health care professionals, and the child
• Medication
• Parent training in behavior management
• Individual and family counseling

Treatment for ADHD uses the same principles that are used to treat other chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Long-term planning is needed because these conditions are not cured. Families must manage them on an ongoing basis. In the case of ADHD, schools and other caregivers must also be involved in managing the condition.

The air we breathe is filled with pollen, pol­lutants, and dust – especially in Texas. Most children and adults are unaffected by these intruders.

Many people mistakenly use the word allergy to refer to a disease or almost any unpleasant or adverse reaction. We often hear someone say, “I have allergies,” “He’s allergic to hard work,” or “She’s allergic to anything that’s green.” In reality, allergies are reactions that are usually caused by an overactive immune system. These reactions can occur in a variety of organs in the body, resulting in diseases such as asthma, hay fever, and eczema.

Your immune system is made up of a number of different cells that come from organs throughout the body—principally bone marrow, the thymus gland, and a network of lymph nodes and lymph tissue scattered throughout the body, including the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, tonsils, and the adenoid (an olive-shaped structure that is located at the top of the throat behind the nose).

Normally, it’s the immune system that protects the body against disease by searching out and destroying foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. In an allergic reaction, the immune system overreacts and goes into action against a normally harmless substance, such as pollen or animal dander. These allergy-provoking substances are called allergens.

Symptoms Associated With Allergies

Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth

• Red, teary, or itchy eyes
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose, nose rubbing
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal swelling and congestion
• Itchy ear canals
• Itching of the mouth and throat

Lungs

• Hacking dry cough or cough that produces clear mucus
• Wheezing (noisy breathing)
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Low exercise tolerance
• Rapid breathing; shortness of breath

Skin

• Eczema (patches of itchy, red skin rash)
• Hives (welts)

Intestines

• Cramps and intestinal discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

Miscellaneous

• Headache
• Feelings of restlessness, irritability
• Excessive fatigue

When to Suspect an Allergy

Allergies can result in various types of conditions. Some are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms that invariably follows exposure to a particular substance; others are more subtle and may masquerade as other conditions. Here are some common clues that should lead you to suspect your child may have an allergy.

• Patches of bumps or itchy, red skin that won’t go away
• Development of hives—intensely itchy skin eruptions that usually last for a few hours and move from one part of the body to another
• Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and throat clearing, that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year
• Nose rubbing, sniffling, snorting, sneezing, or drippy nose
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth and throat
• Coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms
• Unexplained bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and other intestinal symptoms.

If your child has been experiencing any of these symptoms or if you have any questions, you can always ask one of our pediatricians. Simply call us to schedule an appointment to discuss allergies with your pediatrician.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. These airways become narrow and their linings become swollen, irritated, and inflamed. In patients with asthma, the airways are always irritated and inflamed, even though symptoms are not always present. The degree and severity of airway inflammation varies over time.

Children with asthma can have symptoms start or worsen when they are exposed to many indoor substances such as

• Dust and dust mites
• Cockroaches
• Animals such as cats and dogs
• Molds
• Secondhand cigarette smoke

Children with asthma may also be sensitive to colds and other viral infections, cold air, and particles or chemicals in the air. Ongoing exposures to these substances will not only worsen asthma symptoms, but also continue to aggravate airway inflammation.

Inflammation of the airways causes them to be oversensitive and “twitchy,” often called “hyperreactive.” When the airways are hyperreactive, they can go into spasms, causing blockage and symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Any child who has asthma symptoms more than twice per week should be treated. One of the most important treatments of asthma is to control the underlying inflammation of the airways. This can be done with medications or by avoiding environmental factors that cause or aggravate airway inflammation.

Knowing the causes and triggers for asthma can allow families to reduce or avoid these triggers and reduce ongoing airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. This can reduce the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms and, hopefully, the need for as much asthma medication.

If your child has shown symptoms, please call us to make an appointment to discuss this with your pediatrician.

Schedule of Annual Wellness Checks

• The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
• 1 month old
• 2 months old
• 4 months old
• 6 months old
• 9 months old
• 12 months old
• 15 months old
• 18 months old
• 2 years old (24 months)
• 2 ½ years old (30 months)
• Annually 3-21 years old

The Benefits of Well-Child Visits:

• Prevention. Your child gets scheduled immunizations to prevent illness. You also can ask your pediatrician about nutrition and safety in the home and at school.
• Tracking growth and development. See how much your child has grown in the time since your last visit, and talk with your doctor about your child’s development. You can discuss your child’s milestones, social behaviors and learning.
• Raising concerns. Make a list of topics you want to talk about with your child’s pediatrician such as development, behavior, sleep, eating or getting along with other family members. Bring your top three to five questions or concerns with you to talk with your pediatrician at the start of the visit.
• Team approach. Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships among pediatrician, parent and child. The AAP recommends well-child visits as a way for pediatricians and parents to serve the needs of children. This team approach helps develop optimal physical, mental and social health of a child.

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We believe that breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition through the first year of life. We recommend exclusively breastfeeding for about the first six months of a baby’s life, and then gradually adding solid foods while continuing breastfeeding until at least the baby’s first birthday. Thereafter, breastfeeding can be continued for as long as both mother and baby desire it.

Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour. Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger—approximately eight to twelve times every twenty-four hours. The amount of time for each feeding and the frequency of feeding vary widely for each mother-baby pair. It is important to recognize signs that the baby is getting milk, particularly after the first few days of life. These signs include four to eight wet diapers and three to four loose, seedy stools per day.

All of our pediatricians can provide guidance on routine breastfeeding questions and troubleshooting. We also have International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IB-CLC) Pediatricians on staff at our care centers that can provide a complimentary latch consult to each newborn at no cost.

• Chest Pain in Children: Common Causes & When to Be Concerned
• Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?
• Pneumonia
• RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold
• Severe Cases of Croup: When Your Child Needs Hospital Care
• The Flu
• Treating Bronchiolitis in Infants
• Tuberculosis in Children
• Whooping Cough

• Children with Chronic Illness: Dealing with Emotional Problems and Depression
• Chronic Conditions and School
• Common Coping Styles of Teens Who Are Chronically Ill or Disabled
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Diabetes Treatment
• Diabetes in Children
• Diagnostic Tests for Diabetes
• Fitness and Children with Chronic Illnesses
• How Chronic Illness or Disability Affects a Family
• Living with a Chronic Illness or Disability
• Lupus in Children & Teens: Parent FAQs
• Siblings of Children with Chronic Illnesses or Disabilities
• Sickle Cell Disease: Information for Parents
• Social Difficulties for Children with Chronic Illness
• The Stresses Faced By Teenagers Who Are Chronically Ill or Disabled
• Treating Lupus in Children & Teens: Medication Options
• Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Families
• Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Living
• Types of Insulin

Click here to view more resources healthychildren.com

Concussions

• Children and Colds
• Ear Infection Information
• Ear Infection Symptoms
• Hearing Loss
• Swimmer’s Ear in Children
• Swimmer’s Ear in Teens
• Swollen Glands
• The Difference Between Sinusitis and a Cold
• The Difference between a Sore Throat, Strep & Tonsillitis
• When is a Sore Throat a More Serious Infection?
• Your Child and Ear Infections

• Amblyopia-Lazy Eye
• Cataracts
• Children & Contact Lenses: Tips for Parents
• Decorative Contact Lenses: What Teens and Parents Need to Know
• Eye Infections in Infants & Children
• Eyelid Problems
• Give Your Child’s Eyes a Screen-Time Break: Here’s Why
• Glaucoma
• Myopia (Nearsightedness)
• Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
• Specific Eye Problems in Children
• Sties
• Vision Screenings
• Warning Signs of Vision Problems in Infants & Children

Signs and Symptoms of Fever

A fever is usually a sign that the body is fighting an illness or infection. Fevers are generally harmless. In fact, they can be considered a good sign that your child’s immune system is working and the body is trying to heal itself. While it is important to look for the cause of a fever, the main purpose for treating it is to help your child feel better if he is uncomfortable or has pain.

What is a Fever
Normal body temperature varies with age, general health, activity level, and time of day. Infants tend to have higher temperatures than older children. Everyone’s temperature is highest between late afternoon and early evening, and lowest between midnight and early morning. Even how much clothing a person wears can affect body temperature.

A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal. While the average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), a normal temperature range is between 97.5°F (36.4°C) and 99.5°F (37.5°C). Most pediatricians consider a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) as a sign of a fever.

Signs and Symptoms of a Fever
If your child has a fever, she may feel warm, appear flushed, or sweat more than usual. She may also be more thirsty than usual.

Some children feel fine when they have a fever. However, most will have symptoms of the illness that is causing the fever. Your child may have an earache, a sore throat, a rash, or a stomach ache. These signs can provide important clues as to the cause of the fever.

When to call us:

The most important things you can do when your child has a fever are to improve your child’s comfort by making sure they drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and monitor for signs and symptoms of a serious illness. It is a good sign if your child plays and interacts with you after receiving medicine for discomfort.

Call us right away if your child has a fever and:

• Looks very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy
• Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car
• Has other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea
• Has immune system problems, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or is taking steroids
• Has had a seizure
• Is younger than 3 months (12 weeks) and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher
• Fever rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly for a child of any age

Also call us if:

• Your child still “acts sick” once his fever is brought down.
• Your child seems to be getting worse.
• The fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years.
• The fever persists for more than 3 days (72 hours) in a child 2 years of age or older.

• Common Heart Defects
• Common Types of Cardiac Testing
• Fast, Slow and Irregular Heartbeats (Arrythmia)
• Genetics and Congenital Heart Defects
• Heart Disease: Reduce Your Child’s Risk
• Heart Murmurs in Children
• Pulmonary Hypertension in Infants & Children

At Georgetown Pediatrics, we believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness, to promote health and wellness, and to save lives.  We also believe in the safety of vaccines.

We believe that children and young adults should receive all of the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We believe, based on all available data, scientific literature, current studies, and evidence-based medicine, that vaccines do not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.  We also believe that thimerosal, a preservative that has been in vaccines for decades, and that remains in a only a few vaccines today, does not cause autism or other developmental disabilities.

We believe that vaccinating children and young adults is the single most important health-promoting intervention we perform as health care providers, and that you perform as parents/caregivers.

We know, and want you to know, that the recommended vaccines and their schedule are the results of years and years of scientific study and research, with data gathered on millions of children, by thousands of our brightest scientists and physician.

We understand that there has always been, and will likely always be, controversy surrounding vaccination. But that controversy does not change the facts, or the science, or the evidence about vaccines.

The vaccine campaign is a victim of its own success. It’s precisely because vaccines are so effective at preventing illness that we even discuss whether or not they should be given.  Because of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, many of you have never seen a child with polio, tetanus, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or even chickenpox. And that, of course, is a wonderful thing.

We write this statement not to scare you, nor to coerce you, but to make you aware of the facts, and to emphasize the importance of vaccinating your child. We recognize that the choice may be emotional for some parents so we will do everything we can to support you, and to help you understand that vaccinating according to the schedule is the right thing to do.

Please understand, however, that delaying or “breaking up” the vaccines to give one or two at a time over two or more visits goes against expert recommendations, and can put your child at risk for serious illness or even death. Doing this goes against both our medical advice and our core principles at Georgetown Pediatrics.

As medical professionals, we know that vaccinating children on schedule with currently available vaccines is absolutely the right thing to do for all children and young adults.

We’re always happy to answer any questions, or to discuss any concerns, you may have about vaccines.

• Adenovirus Infections
• Anaerobic Infections
• Arcanobacterium Haemolyticum Infections
• Aspergillosis
• Boils, Abscess & Cellulitis
• Botulism
• Burkholderia Infections
• Coxsackieviruses and Other Enterovirus Infections
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infections
• E-Coli Infection: Not Just From Food
• Ebola: What Parents Need to Know
• Enterovirus: What Parents Need to Know
• Fungal Diseases
• Group A Streptococcal Infections
• Group B Streptococcal Infections
• Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease: Parent FAQs
• In the Event of Bioterrorism: Protecting Families from Deadly Diseases
• Listeriosis Infection
• MRSA and Children: Parent FAQs
• Mad Cow Disease
• Mononucleosis
• Moraxella Catarrhalis: A Common Cause of Childhood Illnesses
• Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria
• Overview of Infectious Diseases
• Salmonella Infections
• Sepsis in Infants & Children
• Staphylococcal Infections
• Streptococcal Infections: Not A or B
• Thrush and Other Candida Infections
• Toxic Shock Syndrome

If you child or adolescent is obese or overweight, he has a higher incidence of having a number of serious medical problems, including

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Abnormal lipid levels
• Metabolic syndrome (A condition of insulin resistance associated with high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, obesity, and in some cases, liver disease and menstrual irregularities in girls)
• Type 2 diabetes (once called adult-onset or non–insulin-dependent diabetes)
• Asthma
• Sleep apnea (repeated disruption of normal breathing during sleep)
• Skin infections (eg, fungi trapped in folds of skin)
• Pain in the knee, thigh, and hip (often associated with a condition called slipped capital femoral epiphysis)
• Back pain
• Liver disease
• Gallstones
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Menstrual abnormalities (eg, irregular or missed periods, known as polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Severe headaches with visual disturbances

Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician if you’re concerned with your child’s weight. 

Additional Resources:

• Body-Mass Index Formula (BMI) in Children
• Losing Weight Safely, Sensibly, Successfully
• Obesity and the Risk of Disease
• Organic Causes of Weight Gain and Obesity
• Overcoming Weight-loss Obstacles
• Overweight and Overuse
• Weight-based Teasing and Bullying in Children: How Parents Can Help

• Children with Epilepsy at School
• Epilepsy in Children: Diagnosis & Treatment
• How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents
• Infantile Spasms: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
• Ketogenic Diet: Treating Children’s Seizures with Food
• Practical Tips for Parents of Children who Take Seizure Medication
• Seizure First Aid for Children
• Seizure Medications for Children & Teens
• Seizure Safety: Tips for Parents
• Seizures and Epilepsy in Children
• Talking About Epilepsy with Children, Family & Friends
• Why It Matters to Talk About Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy

• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Chlamydia
• Diagnostic Testing For Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Gonorrhea
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
• HIV and AIDS
• Medications for Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevention
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas Vaginalis Infections
• Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections

• 12 Common Summertime Skin Rashes in Children
• Anal Itching in Young Children
• Avoiding Dry Winter Skin in Babies and Toddlers
• Cold Sores in Children: About the Herpes Simplex Virus
• Eczema in Babies and Children
• Fifth Disease (Parvovirus B19)
• Gas Gangrene
• Hair Loss (Alopecia)
• Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
• Hives
• Hives Symptoms
• How to Treat & Control Eczema Rashes in Children
• Human Herpes Virus 6
• Impetigo
• Impetigo Care
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Pinworms
• Pityriasis Rosea
• Poison Ivy & Poison Oak
• Poison Ivy Treatment
• Psoriasis: Not Eczema, Not Allergy
• Ringworm
• Roseola Infantum
• Scabies
• Scabies Treatment
• Scarlet Fever
• Splinters and Other Foreign Bodies in the Skin
• Sunburn: Treatment and Prevention
• Tinea Infections (Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch)
• Treatment For Warts
• Warts

The form is due, what do you do? We’ve all been there. Paperwork piles up, and sports physicals sneak up on us just before our children’s sport and activity begins.

To make life easier (and what parent wouldn’t like that), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends asking to have a sports physical when scheduling your child’s next routine well-child visit.

Why see the pediatrician for a sports physical:

Seeing your pediatrician for routine well-child visits and sports physicals helps keep your child’s medical records and health history up to date. Pediatricians are also trained to identify and treat both medical and bone/joint problems that are commonly seen in children and adolescents who play sports. And they can ensure your child is caught up on immunizations and discuss any concerns in a confidential setting. If your child is not as active as they should be, they counsel on the benefits of physical activity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends making appointments at least 6-8 weeks before starting a season to give time for any additional evaluation or new treatments. The AAP is against mass physicals (such as in a school gymnasium) and using urgent care settings. These places often lack privacy and a healthcare provider who knows your child and has access to past medical records.