Sports Medicine Specialist Rebecca Demorest , MD, pictured above examining a young athlete, contributed to June's Parents' Press health column with an article about healthy sports participation for children.
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"Pea in the Lung? Try Jewlry, Bones, Dentures Among Inhaled Objects"
(USA Today © 8/30/2010)
Surgeon James Betts, MD, is featured in this story describing the strange and dangerous objects children swallow. Dr. Betts advises parents against giving small children nuts and raw vegetables because they don't yet know how to chew and carefully swallow these foods.
"Bay Area Families Lead Research Efforts for Rett Syndrome"
(Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, CA © 8/16/2010)
Katie's Clinic for Rett Syndrome, directed by Mary Jones, MD, at Children's Hospital Oakland is the first Rett syndrome clinic on the West Coast. Rett syndrome is a genetic, neurological disorder related to autism that primarily affects girls. Symptoms include loss of speech, seizures, repetitive hand movements and lack of mobility.
"Supporting Medical Outreach in Uganda: Field Report"
(Reuters AlertNet (online) © 8/9/2010)
Mary Coleman, MD, MPH, of CHORI's Children's Global Health Initiative, writes about the experience of travelling to
Holy Innocents Children's Hospital in Uganda on a medical mission. Dr. Coleman, along with Children's neonatalogist Priscilla Joe, MD, and other Children's physicians and nurses, trained hospital staff and provided medical care for the community. Holy Innocents is the only children's hospital in Uganda, where 1 in 7 children dies before the age of 5.
"International Adoption"
(KQED (88.5 FM), San Francisco, CA © 7/12/2010)
Margurite Wright, EdD, clinical psychologist at the Center for the Vulnerable Child, is featured KQED radio's Forum. Dr. Wright is on a panel of experts talking about international adoption and the challenges adoptive parents face in encouraging a cultural connection for their adopted child and their country of birth.
"Child's Story: Journey of a Lifetime"
(Children's Hospitals Today, Alexandria, VA © Summer 2010)
Gastroenterologist Paul Harmatz, MD, was featured in this article about his young patient, Amro, who came to Children's Hospital Oakland as a baby from the West Bank to get life-saving treatment for a rare genetic disease.
Amro was born with Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MPS VI) that develops when the body lacks the enzyme that breaks down a complex sugar. This disease leaves the body stunted, even while organs continue to grow. Only a few thousand people in the world suffer from MPS VI, and few live past the age of 20.
After 4 years of treatment, Amro is doing well and Dr. Harmatz’s success with him and other MPS VI patients has made Children’s an international research hub for the disease.
"Should Parents Let Youths Take Big Risks?"
(San Francsico Chronicle, San Francisco, CA © 6/15/2010)
Psychiatrist Petra Steinbuchel, MD, was quoted in this article about teenagers whose parents allow them to take big risks, like 16-year-old Abby Sunderland who was sailing around the world alone when her boat was damaged. Dr. Steinbuchel noted that even the most mature teen hasn't yet developed the decision-making skills and long-term planning abilities of an adult.
"Kids in Sports: How Much is Too Much?"
(Parents' Press, Oakland, CA © June 2010)
Sports Medicine specialist Rebecca Demorest, MD, contributed to June's Parents' Press health column. Dr. Demorest advises parents to promote healthy activity and participation in sports, but also advises parents to be aware of excessive physical or emotional stress related to sports. She also notes that intense physical training at a young age can predispose young athletes to certain difficulties
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