Children are generally thought of as being happy, carefree souls with few concerns, but this isn’t always the case. Many people don’t realize that depression can occur in children and adolescents. It is estimated that nearly 15 percent of children and adolescents have some symptoms of depression and a full 5 percent meet the full criteria for major depression.

Though the diagnostic criteria for depression is identical for adults and children diagnosing depression in children can be complicated because they may have a difficult time describing how or what they are feeling. The way they express their symptoms physically or through language may also vary as well. Diagnosis of depression in children is important since it can negatively affect school performance, family relationships and may even lead to suicide.

Symptoms of Depression in Children

Signs of depression in children can be subtle. Depression can manifest as a child not wanting to go to school or engage in activities they previously enjoyed. Not only can their eating habits change, but they may seem angry, irritable or withdrawn. Problems with falling asleep and generalized aches and pains can be less obvious signs of depression in children.

Depression in a child shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a serious medical illness just like high blood pressure or diabetes. It’s generally caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters and can have a genetic component in some cases. A genetic tendency towards developing depression can be triggered by a stressful or traumatic event such as losing a parent, physical illness, abuse (physical or emotional) or the breakup of a relationship. In teens, girls are twice as likely to be affected as boys.

Treatment of Childhood Depression

What about treatment of childhood depression? Children and adolescents with depression should be treated primarily with counseling or cognitive therapy. When counseling is inadequate, the use of antidepressant medications can be helpful in combination with counseling. One class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) has shown some effectiveness for treating depressed children and adolescents. The medications are neither addictive nor a cure for depression. Instead they help to restore balance to the brain chemicals out of balance.

A serious concern expressed by parents is whether antidepressants can, themselves, cause suicide. Because this question has not been fully answered these medications carry special warning labels about the possible risk of suicide attempts when used in depressed children and adolescents. It is important to remember that depression itself makes people more likely to try to harm themselves or others.

It is essential that your depressed child or adolescent be carefully monitored for signs of suicidal behavior regardless of whether they are on medications or not. Your mental health counselor or doctor can review these warning signs with you. Should you notice your depressed child displaying these signs, immediately notify your child’s doctor or take your child to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.

Early Treatment Needed

Early treatment for depression has been shown to improve long-term outcomes, so get help for your child as soon as possible. Duration of treatment depends on the number of previous episodes of depression and on the individual child. Whatever you do, get help. Your child is depending on you.

More detailed information on childhood depression at Kids Health

For help with children’s health see Child Health at Child n’Parent .

Dr. Kristi is a medical doctor with a concentration in family practice. She also has an undergraduate degree in both Biology and Psychology as well a master’s in Clinical Pathology. She has been a published writer for the last two years.

While this may describe most young children on occasion, both factors are extreme with those who have ADHD. This behavior may vary according to situation and context (for example, behavior is typically worse later in the day, in the absence of adult supervision, and in more complex situations), and often shows comorbidity with various cognitive abilities. ADHD is diagnosed when a child exhibits six or more each of the Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity symptoms listed in the APA’s DSM-IV criteria for the disorder.

While ADHD is a very real disorder, the diagnosis is often suspect. Many argue that ADHD is often used as an excuse for parents to medicinally control children who either a) display behavior normal for young children; or b) have been inadequately disciplined in the traditional manner. Many adults have become intolerant of normal childhood behavior and are unwilling to discipline children, so they turn to Ritalin and other ADHD control drugs for surcease.

Prevalence and Gender Difference

Based on parental and teacher descriptions of behavior, the prevalence of ADHD in the juvenile population should be as high as 57%; however, ADHD is clinically diagnosed in only 2-6.3% of children. Younger children are much more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, with rates falling by as much as half between preschool and the 6-12 year old range, and falling significantly again in adolescence, to 0.9-2% for girls and 1-5.6% for boys. Boys are roughly three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. However, this may be a function of how the diagnostic criteria are applied, especially since the gender differences even out once co-morbid conditions are controlled for.

The fact that ADHD prevalence decreases sharply with age underscores the contention that most accounts of ADHD are the result of adult intolerance for ordinary childhood behavior. Younger kids (especially little boys) are naturally more exuberant and noisy than older children, who are undergoing changes related both to physical maturity and enculturation that encourage more adult behavior. The fact that ADHD prevalence dives sharply at adolescence bolsters this argument.

Developmental Problems Associated with ADHD

Individuals with ADHD suffer from a variety of developmental and social defects, some of them quite severe. These include problems with the following:
·    Cognitive defects (deficits in intelligence, reading ability, poor time-sense)
·    Language (delayed onset, speech impediments)
·    Adaptive functioning
·    Motor development (delayed coordination, sluggishness)
·    Emotion (poor self-regulation, problems with frustration tolerance)
·    School performance (disruptive behavior, repeating grades, requiring tutors)
·    Task performance (poor persistence, decreased productivity)
·    Health risks (accident prone, growth delays, earlier onset of sexual activity)

These problems add up to poor motor coordination, poor academic performance, persistent social problems, and even reduced intelligence. Health may be compromised by proneness to accidental injury, especially when driving, as well as by sleep disorders.

The developmental problems associated with ADHD are significant and distressing, almost worse than the disorder itself, and this brings home the seriousness of ADHD. While ADHD may not be as prevalent as many parents and teachers would like us to believe, it’s clear that it can be a dangerous and debilitating illness.

Etiologies

The factors thought to be responsible for ADHD are both complex and multitudinous. One theory is that at least some ADHD symptoms are the result of brain damage, since they are similar to those arising from some types of brain infections and trauma. Neurological studies indicate a connection with dysfunction in the frontal lobes, which regulate attention and inhibition. Neurotransmitter deficiencies may also be responsible. Otherwise, some studies link ADHD to pregnancy and birth factors; younger mothers tend to have more ADHD children. ADHD may also have a genetic basis, or may be due to thyroid disorder, environmental toxins, or psychosocial factors.

That ADHD may be caused by a variety of factors, from brain dysfunction to social issues, seems most likely. Too often, researchers try to reduce complex issues to single causes, if only because a single cause would allow for a single “magic pill” solution. However, few things in the human realm — either medical or social — are ever that simple. What we identify as ADHD may be a constellation of related disorders that are lumped together under one term, much as lump together all the dozens of cancers under one term in general conversation. As our understanding of the disorder evolves, it may in the future become possible to discern and define the different types of ADHD based on cause, in a manner more specific than the divisions we use today.

Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework underlying our current understanding of ADHD remains rather nebulous. Various theories have been put forth, most revolving around defects in behavioral inhibition, deficits in sensitivity to reinforcement, deficits in inattention, arousal, and inhibition in the absence of immediate reward, and neurological explanations for the observed behavior. It is obvious that poor behavioral inhibition is the most important behavioral factor in ADHD.

In light of this, one researcher, Dr. Russell A. Barkley, has developed a hybrid model that includes many of the features of previous ADHD models. His theory explains how behavioral inhibition (self-control) and motor control systems (such as persistence, sensitivity to feedback, and execution of responses) are interrelated to and regulated by four executive functions: working nonverbal memory, working verbal memory, self-regulation of effect/motivation/arousal, and reconstitution (internalization of play). He concludes that ADHD is a disorder of performance, not skill; that is, in their behavior ADHD sufferers are unable to apply previously learned knowledge (especially in the social behavior realm) to new situations, even though, at some level, they may realize exactly what they should do in such situation.

He suggests various ways to treat ADHD patients, both pharmaceutically and otherwise, especially in regards to making actions and their consequences more temporally contiguous. For the ADHD sufferer, punishment or reward must be immediate to be effective, since those with serious ADHD suffer from what Barkley calls a “myopia or blindness to time.” They do not see or understand distances that lie ahead in time.

The key to his theory is the concept of temporal blindness or myopia. Those of us without symptoms of ADHD can see ahead to the future; we not only see what we need to do to reach our goals or maintain the status quo, but have also internalize
d the concept of personal accountability. We understand the consequences of our actions, both good and bad. People with ADHD often do not, or are unable to apply the rules they have learned, and so may be blindsided by future events that others, with a minimum of personal inhibition, might have avoided. This theory seems make imminent sense, though of course the true test of Barkley’s theory is how well it fits the clinical reality of ADHD, and how well it stands the tests of time.

For more resources on ADHD in Children see WebMD , ADHD Treatment and National Institute of Health – ADHD

Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects approximately 3 million Americans with boys being four times more likely than girls to stutter.  While it is common for children between the ages of 2 to 4 to have a temporary stutter, one that persists beyond this age could become a permanent speech disorder.  Certain factors may help you determine whether your child is at risk and whether or not you should have your child evaluated by a speech-language pathologist.  Understanding what to look for and how to treat it can make the difference in how your child’s speech develops into adulthood.

What Causes Stuttering?

While experts don’t know for certain what causes stuttering in children most believe that it occurs due to one or more of the following factors:

Developmental – Children between the ages of 18 months and 2 years may go through a period of stuttering as they are developing their language skills.  This is generally temporary, and should not become a concern to parents unless it persists past 3 years old.

Heredity – Stuttering seems to have a genetic connection.  A large percentage of children who stutter usually have a family member who also stutters.  At this time research is being conducted to isolate the gene that is passed among family members.

Neurological Stuttering – It has been found that people who stutter have difficulty processing language the same way a person without a speech disorder does.  Much like a person who has had a stroke or brain injury, the brain of a person who stutters has a problem with transmitting language properly.  Experts do not yet know why this occurs in some and not others.

Since it is not unusual for a young child to stutter for a period of time it can be difficult for parents to know if their child’s stuttering is temporary or the beginning of a lifetime speech disorder.  There are some risk factors a parent can look at to determine if their child should be evaluated.  As mentioned before, if there are one or more family members who stutter or stuttered as a child then your child is more at risk.  If your child is over the age of 3 and continues to stutter, or the stuttering has continued for more than 6 months then your child may be at risk.  Also, if your child already has another form of speech disorder it is unlikely he will outgrow stuttering without intervention.

Types of Treatment

A child who is over the age of 3 and has been stuttering for more than 6 months should see a speech-language pathologist to be diagnosed properly.  Even a child with developmental stuttering can benefit from seeing a speech therapist before the stuttering becomes permanent.  While there is no cure for stuttering a child who works with a speech therapist may be able to eliminate the stuttering, or at the very least learn to manage the stuttering and improve speaking skills.  Make sure you are working with a certified speech therapist so your child will benefit the most.

Parents can also have a positive influence on their child’s therapy by being aware of the following:

•    Provide a relaxed atmosphere at home where your child feels comfortable speaking and expressing himself.

•    Speak in a slow, calm manner when talking to your child.  This will encourage your child to speak in a more relaxed manner.

•    Listen to your child when he speaks and refrain from finishing words or sentences for him.

•    Refrain from showing impatience or from criticizing your child for stuttering.  Showing irritation will only place more stress on your child and make speech even more difficult.

•    Spend quiet time with your child every day and try to have relaxed conversations so your child can practice speech in a relaxed atmosphere.

With speech therapy, patience and practice your child can learn to overcome or control their stuttering and become a confident speaker in the years ahead.

Find quick help for ADHD in children and other children’s health issues.

“I lost my toothbrush,” “My arm is too tired,” “The sink is out of water.”  Sound familiar?  According to a recent national survey of parents, not brushing teeth tops the list of kid’s bad habits.  Making brushing fun and a good habit should start your young child on the right path to a healthy mouth.

Good oral care in children should begin as soon as that first tooth appears.  Not only is brushing and flossing essential in young children, it is great way to form good habits and start your child on the path to healthy teeth and a fewer cavities.

Dentists suggest that parents should begin caring for their children’s teeth as soon a tooth is noticed.  Brushing with a small children’s sized toothbrush with just a dab of toothpaste is best.  There are many great tasting children’s toothpastes available, however if your child does not like the toothpaste, you should still brush using a damp toothbrush.  Flossing becomes necessary when more than one tooth comes in.  Flossing between teeth will help prevent cavities, especially in children who drink a lot of juice and milk, or eat sugary treats. Many young children enjoy going to bed with a bottle or sippy cup.  Dentists suggest that bedtime drinks should be limited to water, and that your child’s teeth should be cared for prior to bedtime.

Brushing Right

It is important to properly brush your child’s teeth.  Brushing should be done both morning and night.  Start with a small toothbrush with soft bristles.  Apply a small amount of toothpaste.  Find a position that will give you the best access to your child’s teeth, such as standing behind them, or with the child on the counter top in front of you.  Set a timer for two minutes.  Not only will a timer help you know how long to brush, but it will make brushing fun for your child.  Start by brushing the back teeth first, and then rinse.  Brush the front teeth, and then floss using fine dental floss or a dental flosser.  Rinse again and then praise your child for a great job, and great teeth.

Make Brushing Fun

Brushing should be fun, and if made into a game or positive activity, will be less of a battle with your children.  Try finding games or activities that you can do while brushing.  You may want to try singing brushing songs to your child, or taking turns brushing their teeth and then letting them brush your teeth.  Let your child pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste that they will enjoy and want to use.  There are rinses available that help to attract food and germs that brushing may leave behind which actually tint the particles and leave them in the sink for your child to see, now what child wouldn’t think that is neat?

Your child should first visit the dentist at age 3.  Talk to your dentist about which products are best for your child, such as fluoride and other oral care rinses and pastes.  Remember brushing now prevents cavities later.

Take Action and Prevent RSV

Take action! Use preventative measures to protect your child from RSV infections. RSV is transmitted person to person through mucosa nasal and cough secretions. This expert advice on preventative measures is taken from several professional medical references.

Keep your child away from any friends or family members that are sick. Small babies are best kept at home during peak RSV seasons and should not be passed from person to person. Grandmas, aunts, and uncles will just have to wait!

Hand washing is also an important measure in preventing RSV infections. Keep an effective antibacterial soap in the kitchen and in all bathrooms for frequent lathering up. Require all family members to wash their hands before meals and before holding the baby. Sick family members should keep to themselves, wash hands frequently and use thick tissues for blowing and coughing. Used tissues should be disposed of promptly and not left lying around. Family members who smoke need to take the habit outside, away from the child.

Preserve Your Sanity

When my son was young, croup and upper respiratory infections were a yearly occurrence. I learned that keeping a clean and orderly home was as essential for my own health as well as my child’s. Help your child stay well and keep your sanity intact by maintaining a clean and orderly home.
Viruses can be transmitted from toys or other exposed objects. Wipe down toys, countertops and other household surfaces regularly with anti-bacterial wipes. Keep bathrooms clean by applying a disinfectant to surfaces at least once a week. Mop floors with a disinfecting solution and wash towels in warm, soapy water. Killing the viruses that are brought into the home will make for a healthy, happy family.

Preventative drugs are also available for at risk children to prevent RSV. To fight off a serious infection, a baby needs an adequate supply of antibodies which accumulate as they develop and are available in rich supply through a mother’s breast milk. A mother’s breast milk is rich in nutrients and germ fighting antibodies, however, a nursing baby can still develop RSV.

Medication for Babies at Risk

For babies who have not developed enough antibodies and are considered “at risk,” a medical specialist may recommend an intramuscular shot rich with antibodies. Antibodies are bacteria fighting proteins that are released by the immune system to fight off foreign objects, such as a virus. An intramuscular shot rich with antibodies can boost a baby’s immune system so that it is able to fight off the RSV without developing any of the serious symptoms. One shot can protect a baby for up to 30 days.
Synagis and RespiGam are medications that can be administered by a medical professional once a month during peak RSV Seasons. (November to May). Both drugs are recommended for at risk babies who have chronic lung disease and challenges from premature birth. Side effects from either drug should be carefully considered and discussed your medical professional.

Treatment for Mild and Severe RSV

Mild RSV will resemble a cold or croup. Parents may give the child plenty of fluids and rest as their body fights off the infection. Parents may treat fevers with infant/child acetaminophen or ibuprophen. Be sure to follow proper dosing instructions for your child’s age and weight. A cool mist humidifier in the child’s room at night will help loosen congestion and provide soothing humidity to irritated nasal passages and lungs. An over the counter decongestant with an expectorant will also assist in loosening chest congestion. If you are dosing a small baby be sure to consult a medical professional for proper dosing instructions. For small babies, be sure to suction out nasal mucus regularly using a bulb syringe.

Treatments vary for severe RSV infections depending on the child’s condition. A medical professional may prescribe a coticosteriod to decrease inflammation in the lower respiratory tract and increase air flow. Breathing treatments administered at home through a home medical device may also be prescribed.

Severe RSV cases that require hospitalization will often require oxygen therapy in an oxygen tent, intravenous fluids and nasal suction. A baby that is not responding positively to initial treatment will most often be admitted to the pediatric ICU (intensive care unit) and put on a breathing machine so that their little bodies can rest and the air passages recover. This is referred to as mechanical ventilation. Parents should always consult a medical professional to determine what the best treatment is for their baby’s condition.

RSV can be a very scary condition. Parents can take control through preventative measures and proper treatments as prescribed by a medical professional. Through your loving help, your baby can survive RSV and develop a natural resiliency to fight off future infections
.
Additional resources helpful in understanding RSV are:

Symptoms of croup and RSV in children

RSV Infections in Children
Facts about the preventative shot RespiGam.
Facts about the preventative shot Synagis.

A Mother’s Dream Turns into a Nightmare

You are sound asleep having a relaxing dream where you are on the beach, sipping one of those exotic drinks with a colorful little umbrella. Slowly penetrating your consciousness is a stressful sound that begins to tickle your ear. Soon you find yourself running for the nursery as you hear a gasping, wheezing sound coming from your sweet little baby. What seemed to be a little cold is actually Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and it is a scary condition that is responsible for up to 125,000 newborn and infant hospitalizations per year.

Track Your Child’S RSV Infection

Information is power. Knowing how RSV functions will help you track the progression and seriousness of the infection. This concise and effective advice is taken from several different medical references. Croup can be caused by several different viruses including RSV. RSV can enter the body through the nose, eyes, or mouth. It grows rapidly on the cells of the body, infecting the upper respiratory system causing inflammation. The viruses that cause croup, including RSV, are more prevalent during the winter and early spring. To know which virus is causing a child’s infection, a medical professional can conduct a nasal swab taking a sample of the child’s mucus for testing.

Mild RSV or croup symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, fever, hoarseness, irritability, decrease in appetite and a profound bark like cough that sounds like a seal or barking dog. RSV can replicate itself at an alarming rate, spreading through the nose and throat or the upper respiratory tract. This spreading causes constricting inflammation that can progress to a more serious level infecting the lungs or lower respiratory tract and causing bronchiolitis or inflammation of the lung passages.

As the infection advances, a child can develop more serious symptoms including a condition called stridor which is fast and irregular breathing. In severe cases a child will develop stridor accompanied by a wheezing or gasping sound. More signs of difficult breathing include a child’s stomach pulling in between the ribs as a breath is taken. This may be accompanied a pale countenance and bluish discoloration around the mouth indicating a lack of oxygen. At the onset of any respiratory infection, parents should consult a medical professional to determine the severity of the condition and the child should be closely monitored as the infection progresses.

Is My Child at Risk?

Smaller children are more at risk to develop RSV. Usually premature babies and babies under three months are most susceptible to RSV. Twins, Triplets and other multiple birthing situations also create a risk. Other risk factors include chronic lung disease or asthma, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis and a compromised immune system.

Environmental risk factors that encourage the passing of RSV include daycare settings, older siblings that attend school, birth at onset or during an RSV peak season, crowded or unsanitary living conditions and exposure to tobacco smoke. Most children will develop an RSV infection between the ages of two and three. The severity of that infection can be minimized as parents take preventative measures.
Tracking information on RSV trends in your area through the CDC.

A medical breakthrough designed to wipe out head lice is on the marketing horizon. Called the LouseBuster, it was designed and tested by several people at the University of Utah. Co-inventor and lead researcher, Professor Dale Clayton, said he took interest in the head lice problem, when his own children developed head lice about ten years ago. “The over-the counter shampoos just didn’t work! I ended up using a net comb to get rid of the head lice which took many hours.” Dr. Clayton isn’t the only one to have such a frustrating experience. Studies have shown that head lice are becoming more resistant to the current chemicals that are key ingredients in the over-the counter shampoos and head lice formulas. When a child is sent home from school with a head lice infestation, it can take up to two weeks to effectively treat the infestation and clean the hair. Families with two working parents are presented with an economic hardship. Schools are also be affected by head lice outbreaks (even with home schooling) as educational funding is often based on how many children attend. These buggy problems affecting children, schools, and day-care could be wiped out in a timely manner with the LouseBuster.

Three Key Conditions

The LouseBuster utilizes three key factors to rid a person of head lice: low heat, a special hair lifting comb, and air, lots of dry air. Clayton recognized that small insects have trouble staying alive without moisture. Dr. Sarah Bush, Clayton’s wife and co-author on the LouseBuster paper states that “With small insects, water evaporates on their cuticle quickly.” Bush is also very sure that head lice will not be able to evolve and become resistant to the dry air technique of the LouseBuster. “It’s really hard for small insects, such as head lice, to make changes in their water physiology. We don’t think that head lice will be able to evolve so that they are resistant to the LouseBuster.”

Just Dry Air

The LouseBuster’s dry air is put out by a modified dog grooming device which the team had specially engineered. The machine puts out over twice the air of a standard blow dryer. A microprocessor that is transparent to the user communicates with a temperature sensor in the hand piece to level the heat at a comfortable 59 degrees Celsius. The cylindrical hand piece, custom designed from molded plastic, rakes the hair and lifts it in relation to the blowing air so that the dry air is blown directly at the roots of the hair where head lice tend to thrive. The bugs and their eggs dry out and die. The dead eggs or nits can then be removed over one to two days with a nit comb. The dead head lice can also be removed. A big problem with head lice treatments is re-infestation and trying to get rid of all the bugs before the eggs or nits hatch and the reproductive cycle starts all over again. Clayton states that after a treatment with the LouseBuster “You’re more dealing with dirty hair, than an active infestation.”

LouseBuster Research Results Reported in Pediatrics Journal

An article on the LouseBuster in the November issue of Pediatrics states that “Virtually all subjects were cured of head lice when examined one week after treatment.” Clayton and his team tested six different methods of utilizing hot air to provide an effective alternative head lice treatment. The LouseBuster proto type was equipped with a computer to collect data. Although the LouseBuster uses dry air, it’s not a blow dryer and Professor Clayton warns parents against using a standard blow dryer for head lice treatment as it can easily burn a child’s scalp. The air of the LouseBuster puts out less heat than a standard blow dryer which provides effective treatment with optimum comfort.

The LouseBuster has a unique hand piece with ten teeth which Clayton likens it to a “garden rake.” “When we comb, we rake down from the top of the ear while the air is blowing up over the crown of the head, in that direction. The air is blowing opposite to the raking motion and air is blowing through the lifted hair.” Getting the angles just right was the tricky part for Clayton and his team. “The hair has to be lifted in relation to the air flow to dry out the head lice and eggs. The hand piece is set at a particular angle to the hose. We kept trying different angles. It took us five years to get to the sweet spot.” In the near future, that sweet spot could provide head lice relief on a very grand scale.

LouseBuster is a medical device

The LouseBuster is a medical device with patents pending. The Food and Drug Administration is also in the loop with Clayton and his team hoping to receive the go ahead in about a year or so. Once approved, Clayton hopes to market the product to schools, day-care and clinics through a U spin-off company, Larada Sciences . Cost would be based on where it’s manufactured but Clayton predicts cost to be around “$1,000.00 or so.” Clayton hopes to provide training on how to use the machine “ideally through a video.” Clayton says that the LouseBuster “is not hard to use, but quite different than a blow dryer. The motion and action are different.” Randy Block, President and COO of Larada Sciences, states that “The LouseBuster is a medical device, much more sophisticated than a blow-dryer, with important safety controls that ensure the device will always perform the same. The user doesn’t have to adjust any settings or worry about temperature control. The LouseBuster provides treatment that is consistently safe and effective for everybody who is going to use it no matter where they are.”

Thirty Minute Treatment Should Wipe Out a Child’s Head Lice

School nurses, daycare providers, and nurses in medical clinics could be trained to use the machine for a thirty minute treatment that involves no chemicals and no opportunity for head lice to become resistant. The invention of the LouseBuster could have an especially high impact on school attendance. Clayton’s vision sees an infested child going back to class after receiving a LouseBuster treatment from the school nurse. The child could then take home a nit comb and have parents in the evening remove the dead nits and head lice. Parents do not have to leave work to take an infested child home from school. Millions of dollars spent each year on chemical shampoos, that may or may not work due to resistance problems, would no longer be washed down the drain.

Treatments for head lice removal that are currently available are nit combs, over-the counter shampoos and natural alternative treatments such as olive oil and mayonnaise. When asked about alternative treatments other than the LouseBuster, Dr. Bush, also one of the directors of the Center for Alternative Strategies of Parasite Removal, still recommends the time-consuming nit comb. On olive oil and mayonnaise, Bush comments that “Natural alternative methods such as olive oil and mayonnaise have not yet been tested in any scientific way, so nobody really knows if they work or not.”

Authors on the LouseBuster paper featured in the November 2006 issue
of Pediatrics include: Brad Goates, Joseph Atkin, Kevin Wilding, Kurtis Birch, Michael Cottam and Professor Clayton’s wife, Dr. Sarah Bush.

For more information about the LouseBuster these selected links.

Pediatrics The original published research paper on the LouseBuster.

Information Information and pictures of the LouseBuster

Recognizing ear infections in children

You may start to notice that your child is irritable, tugging at their ear, not sleeping well, has a fever, or has thick yellow drainage from their ear. Any or all of these symptoms may indicate that your child has an ear infection, also known as Otitis Media. These symptoms may occur 2 to 7 days after a cold or other respiratory infection. Bacteria cause 65% to 75% of ear infections and the rest are caused by viral infections.

It is important to have your Physician examine your child to determine what treatment is necessary in treating your child’s ear infection. If a child with an ear infection appears very ill, is younger than age 2, or is at risk for complications from infection, the Physician may prescribe antibiotics. More options are avaliable in children older than 2. In older children, your Physician may have you watch the child for a few days, as 80% of ear infections clear up on their own.

While your child’s ear infection is clearing up, try using an over the counter pain reliever suggested by your Physician. Applying heat to the ear with a warm washcloth may also help to ease the pain. And as with any illness, make sure that your child gets plenty of rest to encourage the body to fight the infection.

For more information about ear infections visit Kids Care Online

or Children Health Information

Treating frequent nosebleeds in children

Nosebleeds start when one of the small veins in its lining bursts. Nosebleeds generally start when the child blows their nose too hard, picks at their nose, has uncontrolled allergies, has dry mucous membranes in the nose, or has the nose bumped.

It is important for the parent to stay calm as children often become scared because there is so much blood. Most importantly, it is essential that parents know how to effectively treat a child’s nosebleed.

· When the child is sitting down, hold their nostrils with your fingers, a handkerchief or a facecloth.

· Pinch the lower, soft part of the nose between the thumb and forefinger.

· The grip should be firm and the pressure on the nose steady.

· Hold the child’s nose for 10 minutes. Look at a watch so you are sure 10 minutes have passed before letting go.

· If the child is old enough, teach them how and where to hold their own nose.

· If in doubt, have the doctor or health visitor show you how to hold the nose.

· It may be a good idea to read a story or watch television while waiting, to divert the child’s attention.

· After the nosebleed has stopped, the child should not play any rough games for a couple of hours to prevent the nosebleed starting again.

· Tell the child not to pick, rub or blow their nose for a couple of days.

· If the bleeding continues, try the same procedure once more.

· If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call the doctor

After you have learned to treat a nosebleed, you will want to know the steps to take to prevent them. If your child does not have other signs of a bleeding disorder, like easy bruising, bleeding gums, etc., the dry air may be the culprit. In addition to a humidifier, it may help to use a saline moisturizing nose spray and/or a nasal gel or vaseline on a regular basis to keep their nasal passages from getting dry and irritated.

Occasionally a blood vessel in the nose needs to be cauterized, so if the child continues to have problems, in addition to seeing your Pediatrician, you might see a Pediatric ENT specialist for further evaluation.

Find useful tips on blood stain removal at Mrs. Clean or at ABOUT.COM

Do you despair of your child’s poor academic performance? Do parent-teacher conferences yield disturbing comments like the following? “Johnny has trouble focusing on simple tasks.” “Mary often blurts out answers and has trouble waiting her turn.” “Carl has difficulty following instructions.” Perhaps that same teacher has suggested your child may suffer from ADD. Perhaps you were already wondering yourself.

Definition Let’s start with a little bit of alphabet soup: The official term for what used to be called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is now Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, (ADHD or AD/HD). Why the change? Because we now know there are three main types of ADHD. One type is characterized by inattentiveness, one by hyperactive or impulsive behavior, and the third by a combination of both.

Warning Signs All children show these behaviors sometimes. When should you suspect these could be signs of a more serious problem? Specialists agree that at least six symptoms from one or both of the lists below must be present to consider a diagnosis of ADHD:

Signs of inattentive behavior:

1. Difficulty following instructions
2. Difficulty focusing on tasks
3. Losing things at school and at home
4. Forgetting things often
5. Becoming easily distracted or having difficulty listening
6. Lacking attention to detail, making careless mistakes or being disorganized
7. Failing to complete homework or tasks

Signs of hyperactive behavior:

1. Fidgeting excessively
2. Difficulty staying seated
3. Running or climbing inappropriately
4. Talking excessively
5. Difficulty playing quietly
6. Always seeming to be “on the go”
7. Blurting out answers or frequently interrupting
8. Having trouble waiting his or her turn
9. Interrupting or intruding on others

Specialists also look for evidence that these behaviors have continued for at least six months, and that they cause problems at both home and school. If you are kicking yourself for not seeing this problem sooner – don’t. Experts agree, it is common for these symptoms to go unnoticed until a child starts school.

Is ADHD Real? ADHD is very real. There is an overwhelming body of research and evidence supporting that conclusion. Brain scans show differences between the brains of children with ADHD and those without. We do not yet have all the answers, but we do know some things for sure:

• ADHD has its root in brain chemistry. There are many studies underway right now to understand exactly what happens in the brain’s neurotransmitters.
• Most people with ADHD have normal, or even above normal, intelligence.
• In many cases, ADHD is genetically inherited. If a parent or close relative has ADHD there is a 30% to 40% chance that a child will have the disorder. If one twin has ADHD, the other has a 50% chance of the disorder.
• ADHD affects 3% to 7% of school age children. Problems often last into adolescence. Two to four percent of adults have ADHD.
• There is absolutely no evidence that ADHD is caused by poor nutrition, poor parenting, drugs, allergies, or excessive TV.
• Special education legislation in the 1990’s increased school attention and services to children with ADHD. This has led some to conclude it is over-diagnosed. In fact, some studies concluded that ADHD may still be under -diagnosed.

How Serious is ADHD? Untreated ADHD can be very serious indeed. The most obvious problem is school failure. Other serious consequences include depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, delinquency, risk for accidental injuries and job failure. Children with ADHD are more likely to suffer other mental disorders, including anxiety disorder, severe depression, bipolar disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (clinically hostile and defiant behavior). Early identification and treatment for ADHD is extremely important.

Is There Hope? Absolutely! Children and adolescents with ADHD can go on to lead very successful lives. The diagnosis of ADHD is quite new, but the biographies of many famous people, past and present, indicate they probably had the disorder. The great British leader, Winston Churchill, is one example. Mozart is another. Living examples include the athlete, Magic Johnson, and the founder of the Virgin business empire, Richard Branson.

Even if your child does not go on to become famous, a diagnosis of ADHD can be the first step towards a happier and more productive life. One mother whose child has the inattentive form of the disorder reports that, prior to diagnosis and treatment, her daughter could never find or locate things, was irritated all the time, and had difficulty paying attention in school. Now she is calmer and more focused, and benefits from her daily life being under greater control.

Effective Treatments for ADHD Children

The most effective treatments for ADHD include a combination of medication, behavior therapy, and parent support and education. Nine out of ten children respond to medication, and 50% of children who do not respond to a first medication will respond to a second. When ADHD is accompanied by other mental health disorders, a combination of drug therapies have been shown to be highly effective.

Behavior therapy is an important complement to medical treatment. Behavior therapy helps children by teaching them “survival skills” such as how to solve problems positively, communicate, and advocate for themselves. Children, especially teenagers, need to be actively included in treatment decisions. Consistency at home and school is essential. Schools can – and must, by federal law – make a variety of adaptations in classroom instruction to assist in your child’s learning. Some children may require special education services.

Most important of all is your support as a parent. Instill a
sense of self worth in your child or adolescent. Emphasize his or her talents and strengths. Remember that the side effects of untreated ADHD (such as failure, frustration, discouragement, social isolation, low self-esteem and depression) may cause more problems than the disorder itself.

Where to Go for Diagnosis Your first step should be your child’s pediatrician, who cannot only diagnose ADHD, but also do a physical exam, including vision and hearing assessment, to rule out other medical problems. Others who are qualified to diagnose the disorder are school psychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, neurologists and psychiatrists. You may wish to start by asking your child’s pediatrician or school for a recommendation.

Links

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention/Hyperactivity Disorder) has a great link, CHADD for locating local chapters and support groups in your area. From the CHADD website you can link in turn to excellent articles and information published by their National Resource Center on ADIHD. Or you can link directly to the resource center at Resource Center For information on other mental health disorders, we suggest you go to the National Mental Health Association’s website at Mental Health