Sun Exposure ~ What It Could Mean For Your Kids

The big C: cancer. The scariest word to utter...let alone using it in connection with your child.  But the fact of the matter is that cancer doesn't discriminate for age, gender, race, or financial background.  We are all targets and can all be victims.  Even our young ones.  It breaks my heart to even think about it.  

Since I live in South Florida and it is sunny a good 90% of the year, we are more susceptible to skin cancer.  I know that I should put sunscreen on my kids before they walk out of the house each day, but I am guilty of not doing so.  

Dr. Duarte, the Director of Dermatology at The Miami Children's Hospital, provides tips for how we can protect our children (not to mention ourselves) from developing melanoma.

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What Parents Should Know About Skin Cancer

With warm weather and constant sunshine throughout most of the year, families in South Florida are no strangers to the dangers of too much sun exposure. Still, melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer is on the rise, particularly among teens and young adults.

“There are various types of skin cancers, most of which don’t become life threatening because they don’t spread from the skin,” said Dr. Ana Duarte, Director of the Division of Dermatology at Miami Children’s Hospital.  “Unfortunately, melanoma is different. It is the most dangerous of skin cancers, and if not caught early, it can spread from the skin to other organs, often ending with deadly results.”

Melanoma was once thought to be a result of many, many years of excessive sun exposure. But over the last decade or so, there has been increasing number of cases of melanoma in teenagers, especially in females. Studies show teen girls are more likely to spend time tanning in the sun or under artificial lamps, which becomes extremely dangerous when they don’t apply sun block.

“Rising cases of melanoma are definitely a concern. So often, teens don’t properly protect themselves against the sun because they believe cancer only affects older adults, but this early exposure to sun damage can be ultimately be life threatening, even at a young age.” explains Dr. Duarte. “That’s why it’s so important for parents to remind their children of the importance of wearing sunscreen, especially if they are very fair skinned, have any large moles or a family history of cancer.”

When to See a Doctor

Though melanoma can be life threatening, the good news is it is a curable cancer if caught early. Teach your teens to be conscious about abnormalities on their skin, and call your doctor if you or your child notice:

•   A bump or mole on the skin that wasn’t there before
•   A mole that has changed in size, shape, elevation or color
•   A bump or mole that hurts or itches

Dr. Duarte recommends that children with light-colored eyes and fair skin, particularly those with a family history of skin cancer or significant early exposure to the sun, be seen annually by a dermatologist so that moles can be monitored over time.

For more information, visit Miami Children’s Hospital’s Department of Dermatology online.

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I really need to be better at checking my kids regularly, especially "Little Ricky" who has light eyes and freckles.  And I really should put sunscreen on my kids daily and keep a tube in my purse.

How do you protect your kids from the sun? 

Alexis

Autism and Early Intervention

As a teacher, I've been noticing in more recent years a rise in Autism in children.  With the "umbrella" spanning so many different forms of Autism, it's hard to really pinpoint.   Here are some early signs and interventions from Miami Children's Hospital that can be taken if you feel your child may have signs of Autism. 

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Autism and Early Intervention

Approximately 1 in every 88 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

As families learn of a child’s diagnosis, they can gain hope from the knowledge that early

identification of affected children can help lessen the impact of this developmental disorder,

and significantly improve the child’s overall quality of life.

“Autism spectrum disorders are a heterogeneous group of complex developmental disorders

that appear within a child’s first three years of life,” explained Dr. Roberto Tuchman, Director of

Autism and Neurodevelopment Program, at the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino

Outpatient Center, which provides early diagnosis and interventions for children with

neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders. “For parents, knowing the

developmental milestones that take place during a baby’s first 18 months of life is crucial, as this

can help with identifying signs of autism or other developmental conditions,” said Dr. Tuchman.

The Early Signs

Parents of autistic children are almost always the first ones to suspect something is “different”

about their child. Frequently they have concerns by the time the baby is 2 years old. Treatment

for autism spectrum disorders can be helpful at any age, however, scientific studies have

demonstrated that early intervention can ensure optimal outcomes for children with

developmental disorders.

“There is no medical test to diagnose autism,” said Dr. Tuchman, “that’s why identifying early

symptoms is so helpful in getting children the proper medical attention.” He noted, “Children

with autism often miss major milestones or are delayed in some skills, such as the ability to

follow and react to faces, responding to name, pointing, and sharing their excitement with

others.” Additionally, children with autism often have difficulties with verbal and nonverbal

communication, social interactions and pretend play.

“In certain cases, a child may develop normally before age 1 or 2, then have a slowing or

stagnation in development or even lose his or her language and social skills,” said Dr.

Tuchman. The important point is to seek advice from your pediatrician early if there is any

concern about a child’s development.

Seeking Treatment

Studies show that interventions starting as early as 18 months of age can help improve a child’s

ability to interact appropriately within the environment, and support development of language

and social skills. Parents are encouraged to identify a facility specializing in early recognition and

intervention of autism spectrum disorders. An early comprehensive team approach to autism

spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental conditions can have a positive impact on the

child’s developmental trajectory.

For more information on autism, visit www.mch.com

If you feel that your child is showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder, please seek help from your pediatrician.  You are not alone.

Alexis

Childhood Obesity is a Family Problem

It's no secret that I love food.  I wish I was one of those people that food is only seen as a source for survival, but alas, I love the whole entity that is food.  From cooking to tasting it, food is amazing!

My kids are two very different kinds of eaters.  One loves to try new things, wants what the adults are eating and enjoys the essence of food.  He's my thin one.  The other one could live off of junk food if I let him.  He is a little more round in the middle.  Because of this, I have to be very careful with what I serve them.   


I honestly feel that because of the "easy way" of feeding children (pre-packaged meals and fast food drive-thrus), childhood obesity is on the rise.  I too am very guilty of this with my boys.  Sometimes I am so exhausted that I take the "easy way" out.


Miami Children's Hospital has an obesity program that provides ongoing medical treatment and management for this very serious epidemic that is plaguing our children.  Here are some tips from MCH to help fight off childhood obesity:

While genetic factors do play some part in 70-80 percent of obesity cases, poor lifestyle choices are among the biggest contributing factors to why people of all ages become overweight.

“Children whose parents are overweight are twice as likely to become obese,” said Dr. William Muiños, who spearheads Miami Children’s obesity program. Dr. Muiños has helped hundreds of children develop healthier lifestyles leading to lasting weight loss results.

Statistics show that not only are Americans eating more today than we were 20 years ago, we’re also replacing a large number of our home cooked meals with fast food, prepackaged meals and dining out. We’ve also been accustomed to eating very large portion sizes. From a very young age, children are being given excessive amounts of candy and unhealthy snacks, soda and sugary fruit drinks.

Meanwhile, in a world saturated with technology, our children are spending countless hours in front of the TV, computer and video game consoles every day, taking away from the time they could be spending playing outside. And with education budget cuts across the nation, schools are also providing kids with less opportunity for daily physical activities.

Setting Good Examples

“For parents, the best way to combat childhood obesity is by making small, permanent lifestyle changes both for yourself and your children,” suggests Dr. Muiños. “Set a good example by being active and encouraging your family to join you.” Here are some other small changes that can make a big difference:

• Limit the amount of fast food, candy, soda and other unhealthy food your child consumes each week.
• Offer your child healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, nuts and yogurt.
• Limit time for TV, computers and video games to a few hours per week.
• Don’t criticize a child for being overweight; this can lead to poor self-esteem, depression and eating disorders. Instead, offer your encouragement and support.

“The average child should be getting about 60 minutes of physical activity each day. So if you know your child isn’t getting that through a physical education class at school, encourage them to join a sports team or after-school activity. On weekends, incorporate physical activities into your routine. Instead of watching movies at home, go to the park, ride a bike or take a walk,” said Dr. Muiños.

For more information on childhood obesity, visit mch.com. 

What are ideas that you use in order to help control your child's eating and exercising habits?

Alexis

Going Through A Divorce? Help the Kiddos Cope

As a teacher, I have seen families break apart due to divorce.  I have been the "counselor" for kids who are going through this.  And I am a child of divorce.


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Divorce can be a time of great stress, not only for the separating spouses, but for the children who depend on them as well. With divorce often comes a transition period for the family that may include moving homes, splitting time between parents and even meeting a parent’s new mate. These events can promote feelings of anger, anxiety, confusion and guilt.


“Divorce can have a huge impact on a child,” said Dr. Sara Rivero-Conil, psychologist and Clinical Manager of the Department of Psychology at Miami Children’s Hospital. While every family is different and have its own methods and timeframe to cope with a divorce, there are several things parents can do to make the adjustment easier on the children.


Encourage Communication
Communication is the key in a situation like divorce. Children should be encouraged to share their feelings—both negative and positive. “Make talking an ongoing process, be prepared for them to have questions and, though it may be difficult, keep your children’s feelings and opinions separate from your own,” said Dr. Rivero-Conil. It is imperative for the child to know that you are still accounting for their feelings during this process. Remind them that they are not at fault for the divorce.


Take the High Road
“How severely a child is impacted by a divorce is usually connected to the amount of conflict they are exposed to during the process,” said Dr. Rivero-Conil. “That’s why it’s important to keep adult feuding away from the children. Avoid using children as messengers or having them ‘spy’ to find out what is happening with the other parent.” How you support your child and relate to the other parent will be detrimental on your child’s adjustment to the changes that occur during a divorce.


“Far too often, parents who are feuding unintentionally make the kids feel like they have to pick a side, and this can be traumatic for a child at any age. Regardless of the situation, try to remain as factual and neutral as possible around your children,” she said.


Parents who are feeling angry or upset should ask a trusted family member or professional counselor for help, and keep from expressing strong feelings to the children. Offering children the chance to talk to peers whose parents have divorced can be helpful, as well.

Take Care of Yourself Too
While it’s important to encourage children to have a positive outlook during a divorce, parents must also remember that taking care of themselves is extremely important too.


“When you are in pain, your children are in pain too,” said Dr. Rivero-Conil. “Seeking the support of family members, friends and even a professional therapist can help you stay strong for yourself and your children. Divorce is certainly not easy but patience, open communication and a strong support system can make the process better for the whole family.”





Are you going through a divorce?
How do you help your child/children through stressful situations?

For more information, visit Miami Children's Hospital

Alexis