Should you vaccinate your baby?

Most new or soon-to-be parents have struggled, or are struggling with a common question. Are vaccinations safe for my baby? The answer is yes.

“There is a lot of misinformation floating around out there about the safety of vaccinations,” says Dr. Peter Azzopardi, Chief of Paediatric Medicine at TSH. “Vaccines have been said to cause a number of health problems including autism and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The reality is, these claims are just not true.”

Expert groups in Canada, and around the world, have researched and investigated these claims and have found no evidence of a link between vaccines and any of these health concerns.

“Vaccines are safe,” says Dr. Azzopardi. “Although some children may experience mild reactions from vaccinations, such as a sore arm or mild fever, the benefits of having your child vaccinated far outweigh the risks that come with the diseases the vaccinations prevent.”

In Ontario, when you vaccinate your child you protect them against a number of life-threatening diseases including:

• Whooping cough
• Polio
• Meningitis
• Measles
• Mumps
• German measles (rubella)
• Hepatitis
• Chickenpox
• Influenza

Many of these diseases are rare in Canada, and that’s because of our good vaccination rates. But they quickly reappear in Canadian populations who choose not to vaccinate – for example the measles outbreak in Quebec last year. As well, there is a risk if you travel to countries where the diseases are still common.

The flu vaccine is important for every member of the family. Many people don’t realize the flu can be much more debilitating than the common cold and has the potential for severe illness and even death. The flu shot will protect you. You may also choose to use the new nasal spray that’s available this year and is covered by most drug plans.

Talk to your doctor about when your child should be vaccinated.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website to view a vaccination schedule and get more information about vaccinating your child.

Detecting autism in young children

It’s a disorder that is as difficult to diagnose as it is important to diagnose. But if you’re the parent of a young child, learning the early warning signs of autism can make all the difference in knowing when to seek help.

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour,” said Dr. Joe Jagdeo, a Paediatrician at The Scarborough Hospital.

“The challenge with ASD is that the severity and symptoms can vary widely and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children or when it’s masked by more debilitating handicaps.”

Nevertheless, Dr. Jagdeo says that parents should be on the lookout for some or all of the following symptoms that may present in children as young as 12 months:

• Does not babble, point or make meaningful gestures by one year of age.
• Does not speak one word by 16 months of age.
• Does not combine two words by two years of age.
• Does not respond to his or her name.
• Loses language or social skills that were developed.
• Has poor eye contact.
• Doesn’t seem to know how to play with toys or excessively lines up toys or other objects.
• Has an attachment to one particular toy or object.
• Doesn’t smile or interact joyfully with others.
• Appears deaf, responds unevenly or not at all to sounds.

“It’s important to remember that there may be other possible explanations for these symptoms,” stresses Dr. Jagdeo. “If you’re concerned about some of the behaviours you see in your child, it’s best to start with a visit to your paediatrician, who can help figure out if a more comprehensive evaluation is warranted.”

Talking to your child about having surgery

Research shows that pre-operative teaching programs help children and families feel more comfortable on the day of surgery. Based on this research, the Child Life Specialists at The Scarborough Hospital have designed a pre-operative teaching program called “Hello Hospital”.

In “Hello Hospital”, the Child Life Specialists meet with children ages three to 13 and their families one to two weeks before their surgery to explain what to expect on their big day. Children and families tour the various departments they will see on their surgery day and have hands-on experience in each one. Parents are also prepared to accompany their child to the operating room where they will stay until their child is asleep. Special consideration is used when explaining the events of the day in developmentally- and age-appropriate language.

It is important that parents learn as much as possible about the surgery. If they feel comfortable and confident in what is happening with their child, then the child is more likely to feel the same.

One of the best things a parent can do for their child is to be honest, say Child Life Specialists Wanda Bowen, Michele Clark-Ward and Sue Regan. When children know what to expect, they are less anxious and have a greater sense of control over the situation. The Child Life Specialists believe, at the very least, all children should be told they are going to the hospital to have an operation.

Parents can also help by telling their child the people working in the hospital are there to help them. Parents should not make promises they may not be able to keep. For example, do not tell the child there will be no pain. Children may have different amounts of pain or discomfort following surgery.

Here are some other suggestions to use when preparing your child for surgery:

1. Play “hospital” using a doctor’s kit or pretend medical equipment.
2. Read a book together about the surgery (see the recommended book list below).
3. Ask your child what comfort item they would like to bring from home: a favourite doll or teddy bear.
4. Use simple explanations that your child can understand.
5. Let your child know you will stay with them as much as possible.
6. Ask your child to draw a picture about going to the hospital.
7. Have your child help with packing the bag they will bring to the hospital.

Remember, your child will need all of your love, attention and support. Also, it is best to leave siblings at home on the day of surgery.

Tips for Parents – Common Questions to Ask:

1. How long will the operation take?
2. How will I know when the operation is over?
3. Where will my child be when I first see him/her?
4. How long do I have to wait before I can see my child?
5. How long will my child have to stay in the hospital?
6. Can I stay with my child if they need to sleep over?
7. How long do I have to wait before my child can eat or play?

Recommended Books:

1. Tubes in My Ears: My Trip to the Hospital, by Virginia Dooley and Miriam Katin (6-10 years)
2. Clifford Visits the Hospital, by Norman Bridwell (2-7 years)
3. Going to the Hospital, by Anne Civardi, Michelle Bates and Stephen Cartwright
4. A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital, by Deborah Hautizig, Dan Elliott and Joseph Mathieu (2-3 years)
5. Franklin Goes to the Hospital, by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark (3-7 years)
6. Curious George Goes to the Hospital, by Margaret and H.A. Rey

Keeping your family safe around water

A dip in the pool or spending time at the beach or cottage are hallmarks of summer fun. However, each year, water-related accidents ruin much more than just a day out for many Canadian families.

“Sadly, over the past few years, Canada has seen an increase in water-related injuries and deaths, including those that involve children,” said Dr. Leah Tattum, a Pediatrician at The Scarborough Hospital. “It’s truly tragic for us to witness as healthcare professionals, as they are often entirely avoidable.”

Dr. Tattum recommends that all families respect these basic water safety precautions:

• Never allow children to be unsupervised around water. This includes not only pools or lakes, but buckets, barrels, or fountains. A small child can disappear in seconds and drown in only a few centimetres of water.
• Make sure all children above the age of four attend a certified swimming class or at least learn basic flotation techniques.
• Children younger than four should always be accompanied by their parents in the water and all non-swimmers should wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
• Every parent should know basic CPR techniques in order to respond in an accident.
• Avoid glass bottles that can break when swimming and store drinks in plastic containers.
• Ensure children do not swallow excessive amounts of water that can cause diarrhea or other illnesses. Everyone should also shower with soap before going swimming, wash their hands after using the bathroom and not swim if they are sick.

If you have a pool, keep in mind these specific safety tips:

• Build a high fence and gate around your pool and keep the gate locked at all times when there is no adult available to supervise.
• Ensure pool covers are completely removed and that children do not walk over them.
• Always have a life saving flotation device and life jackets near the pool, as well as a phone in case of emergency.
• Do not allow children in hot tubs as they are susceptible to overheating.
• Teach children to obey pool safety rules – including not running in the pool area, and not pushing or jumping on others inside or outside of the pool.