Total Kid Spring 2013 by LOCALiQ

TOTAL HELPING ARIZONA PARENTS RAISE HEALTHY KIDS AND TEENS

PLUS! out! Lights is When e? bedtim

KID Bugs, bees and bites

Friend or foe?

Splish-splash! Don’t let body image ruin your fun

A ‘mom’s perspective…’

What every parent should know SPRING/SUMMER 2013

ideas for a chillin’ summer

Banner Children’s has kids’ emergency care covered 24/7. It’s nice to know that when emergencies happen, there’s expert care nearby. That’s why you’ll like knowing about Banner Children’s. With Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in the West Valley and Cardon Children’s Medical Center in the East Valley, Banner Children’s has kids’ emergency care covered, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Our pediatric emergency specialists can handle it all, from a broken bone to the most serious issues. And if care is needed beyond the emergency room, Banner Children’s features more than 30 pediatric specialties. Isn’t it comforting to have kid-focused care that’s easy to get to from all over the Valley? Banner Children’s. We’ve got pediatric emergency care covered.

Cardon Children’s Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens

Find a physician: 602-230 - CARE (2273) • Help support Banner Children’s: 602-747-GIVE (4483). Connect with us:

Editor’s Letter

A dad’s dressing down

hen did my 7-year-old daughter become such a fashionista? The discussions she and I have on eye-bleedingly early mornings before school are the stuff of legend. “How about these cute pink pants, Lily?” I ask her, innocently. Jim “DAD…they have monkeys on them. Williams I CANNOT wear pants with monkeys on them!” She thrusts the words at me like poison darts, accompanied by Editor and father exaggerated eye rolling. of three Well, it’s obvious I didn’t get the “no monkeys” memo. But the conversation illustrates an interesting point about children, even those as young as my daughter. They care deeply about what they look like, and how their peers view them. In our cover story on page 6, Banner Children’s Wendy Pauker, Child Life manager at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, addresses some of these body-image concerns and red flags parents should be aware of as their children don swimsuits this summer. Of course, summer in the Valley means one thing: Lots of long sunny days. On page 8, Michael Graham, M.D., a Banner Children’s pediatric specialist in hematology and oncology, offers some ‘sun sense’ tips for surviving the heat. One of the most popular activities to take the edge off the high summer temperatures is swimming, which oftentimes means a pool full of inflatable pool toys and swim aids. On page 9, Banner Children’s Kimberly Marshall shares tips about what’s safe in the pool. Finally, some Valley residents are not likely to be found sunning poolside, but are in your backyard nonetheless. Arizona is home to some scary-looking ominous critters, such as scorpions, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes and killer bees. On page 10, Banner medical toxicologist Aaron Skolnik, M.D. explains what’s dangerous and how we can get along with our desert friends. Check out these stories and many more in this issue of Total Kid. Be sure to download the Total Kid iPad app; it’s free! For details, go to totalkid.azcentral.com. • TK

Publication of Republic Media Custom Publishing. Cover Photo: Rick D’Elia Ally Manwaring, 10, enjoys staying active by taking a plunge in the pool.

Contents Volume: 4 Issue: 1 – Spring 2013

Energy drinks dangerous?

Lights out

One size does not fit all

8 ideas for a chillin’ summer

What makes sun sense

A mom’s perspective…

Parents should be aware of what’s on the label of popular energy supplements. Should you cut your child some slack on bedtime in the summer? How do you deal with a child’s concerns over body image? Just because it’s toasty outside doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Banner experts offer tips and suggestions about sun safety. A mother shares a tragic story, but one she hopes will help others.

Bugs, bees and bites

Introducing the HealthMobile

“What we wish parents knew”

Kids activity page

Friend or foe? Get to know desert critters around you. Up close and personal with Banner Children’s new mobile clinic. Banner Health doctors offer helpful advice. Enjoy some great family-fun activities. Plus, a kid-friendly brain-booster recipe.

CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING FOR BANNER THUNDERBIRD MEDICAL CENTER AND CARDON CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2013 General Manager: Cami Kaiser/ckaiser@republicmedia.com Manager Creative Development: Isaac Moya/imoya@republicmedia.com Editor: Jim Williams/JLWilliams@republicmedia.com Managing Art Director: Tracey Phalen/tphalen@republicmedia.com Art Director: Carl Bezuidenhout Contributors: Rick D'Elia, Nick Kostenko, Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell Total Kid magazine is published as a service to our friends and neighbors by Republic Media Custom Publishing for Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, 5555 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85306 and Cardon Children's Medical Center, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. Material in Total Kid is obtained from a wide range of medical experts and health-care authorities. If you have any concerns about specific items that appear in Total Kid, consult your personal physician. To order a copy or to stop receiving Total Kid magazine, call Cami Kaiser at Republic Media Custom Publishing, 602-444-6899. A division of Republic Media, 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-444-1000

totalkid.azcentral.com

We exist to make a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care. For information, call 602-230-CARE (2273) or visit BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens

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Quick Hits

Energy Drinks

Dangerous?

nergy drinks, loaded with caffeine and other similar substances, attract consumers with claims of increased vitality and extra vitamins (many times the daily dose of B-complex vitamins, etc.). But Frank LoVecchio, D.O., says such beverages should never be consumed by children and should be avoided by adults as well. The co-medical director and medical toxicologist at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center’s

Sunscreens

unscreens are getting more complicated, says Jason Vargas, M.D., a Banner-affiliated pediatrician in Glendale. Surprisingly, he notes that most sunscreens only protect against UVB, one kind of solar radiation that causes tanning, burning and skin cancer. The other kind is

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Poison Control says ingesting an energy drink is equivalent to a “mini overdose” of caffeine — he’s seen the dramatic results: youths with tachycardia, or an unusually rapid resting heartbeat. What’s more, the long-term outcomes of high doses of caffeine and fat-soluble vitamins in children are not yet known, he adds. For information, visit bannerhealth.com/ poisoncenter or call 800-222-1222.

101

UVA 1/2, which comprises about 95 percent of all solar radiation. Although both kinds of radiation are absorbed by the skin and can cause cancer, UVA 1/2 penetrates more deeply and causes more potent cancer. Sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide help protect against UVA but have traditionally been difficult to rub into the skin, so new nanotechnologies are being used to make them more user friendly. Avobenzone has been well-studied and is available in the United States. Other products available in Europe are awaiting FDA approval. While there’s controversy regarding the safety of the chemicals in the new sunscreens, it’s clear that limiting sun exposure is the best approach of all.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE AT CARDON

he East Valley gets

its first-ever Ronald McDonald House

when the Valley’s third

such facility opens later this year at Cardon

Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.

A former healthcare

facility on the hospital’s campus is being

converted to accom-

modate the new, $2.1

million, 10,225-squarefoot Ronald McDonald

House, which will feature a community kitchen, a

dining room and 16 total bedrooms, including three apartments

especially for families of

children with suppressed immune systems. The facility will serve as a

‘home away from home’

for families who want to be close-by while their

youngsters receive care at the medical center.

To donate to the construction of the Ronald McDonald House, call 602-747-GIVE (4483)

For information, visit BannerHealth.com/ KidsHealthLibrary, search sunburn. spring/summer 2013

QA &

Lights out!

uring the summer, is it okay to let my child stay up later than their school-year bedtime?

“t

he answer is yes, but with two caveats: not on a regular basis and not too much Michael past normal bedtime. You can very quickly Eichenberg get out of circadian rhythm by staying up even an hour or two later and too much disruption of the sleep Michael Eichenberg, cycle can negatively affect director of academic performance and the Sleep behavior when returning to Center at Banner Desert a normal school schedule. and Cardon For that reason, it’s best to Children’s medical centers keep a child on as consistent in Mesa a schedule as possible; don’t allow him to stay up more than a half-hour to an hour later than the regular bedtime. And even if he stays up later than usual, don’t let him sleep in; wake your child at the normal hour to encourage his body to keep to the regular sleep schedule.” • TK

Asthma and monsoons

oes monsoon weather increase asthma symptoms, and what can I do to help my child cope during that time of year?

Leno Thomas, M.D. Leno Thomas, M.D., pulmonologist, Banner Pediatric Specialists

totalkid.azcentral.com

“a

sthma is a condition in which the airways, the small tubes that carry air to the lung, become sensitive or ‘twitchy.’ This hypersensitivity leads to contraction of the muscle fibers surrounding the small airways (bronchospasm), narrowing the air passageway and making breathing difficult. For most asthmatics with allergic asthma, inflamed airways are the result of allergens such as pollen, mold spores, insect droppings and animal dander. When airways become inflamed, they become hypersensitive to irritants like cold air, dust, fumes and cigarette smoke, all of which may provoke an asthma attack. The humid environment during the monsoon season can exacerbate underlying asthma; dust storms can be an additional trigger. Wet summers also can increase the pollen count as previously dormant desert plants start blooming. This combination of pollen, dust, humidity and pollution is a risk factor for asthmatics, who can limit exacerbations by staying on prescribed inhaled steroids and using a rescue inhaler acutely. Some asthmatics may need higher doses of controller medications during monsoon season, but should consult their pulmonologist or allergist first.” • TK

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Feature

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Left: Isaac Manwaring (under water), 8, and Conner Forsberg, 5, in Glendale relish the cool water during the first week of warm temperatures of the year. Above: Isaac and Ally Manwaring, 10

ead to the local pool and you’ll find healthy kids worried they look fat in their bathing suits when, truthfully, they’re at a perfectly acceptable weight for their age and build. With societal pressures and much attention recently paid to the epidemic of overweight children in America, it’s no surprise many kids feel self-conscious about their bodies. But parents can help youngsters feel more comfortable in their own skin by teaching them to focus on being fit and healthy, not on their dress or pant size. Experts say the keys to success are communication and being a better role model, particularly in regard to exercise and eating right.

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“There is no way to get around this, no way to sugarcoat it: parents have to get involved,” says Wendy Pauker, Child Life Manager at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale. “You can empower your kids when they’re young and help them make healthy choices.” For one thing, parents shouldn’t obsess about their own weight and make negative comments like “I’m getting so fat.” Have a positive attitude, she says, and talk about what constitutes good nutrition and why it’s important to make healthy food choices. Then, follow through on your words, she says, by making fairly easy changes: use ground turkey instead of ground beef in recipes, substitute baked potato chips for the regular version and replace cookies with graham crackers. As the adult, you’re in control of the family’s food selections, adds Peter Chanin, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist and Banner affiliate. “The kids aren’t doing the cooking, they’re not doing the grocery shopping,” he says. At the same time, Chanin says, it’s important to remember the adage of “everything in moderation.” Portion control is also an important element and both Pauker and Chanin say parents might wish to spring/summer 2013

serve children their plates rather than having the kids dish up the food themselves. “And teach kids that they don’t have to eat to the point of feeling full; it’s okay to put the fork down during a meal,” Pauker adds. While she knows it’s a challenge, Pauker says eating together as a family at least a few nights a week should be a priority because “that time to connect makes a huge impact on a family’s togetherness and support.” She suggests letting kids plan or cook meals, which gives them a chance to display not only their culinary prowess but also their skill at making healthy choices. After the meal, she says everyone should

go for a walk, play in the yard or go for a bike ride. Again, parents need to take the lead and participate, something on which she and Chanin agree. “It has to be a whole family thing, it can’t just be a kid thing,” Chanin notes. Finally, remember that changing habits and perceptions takes time. So be good to yourself and your kids and stay focused on the positive. “Nothing has to happen overnight,” Pauker says. • TK

8 COOL SUMMER FUN! Top

For more information about kids, teens and body image, visit BannerHealth.com/KidsHealthLibrary, search “body image.”

Places and Ideas for

4 5 6 7 8

“Children love to learn, so we want to provide many activities for them even when it’s hot out,” she says. Here are eight of her best ideas, many of which are low-cost or free:

ndoor amusement parks, bowling alleys and the local swimming hole? Sure, they’re great summertime activities, but they can get pretty pricey and don’t necessarily provide the educational benefit so many parents want for their kids during these long, lazy days of summer. Luckily, Virginia Trimble, a Banner Children’s teacher at Cardon Children’s Medical Center, has plenty of great options to help kids have fun over the next few months and learn something while they’re at it.

1 2 3

Go on an adventure! Museums often offer an admission-free day. Before you go, ask your child to make predictions, like what the museum is going to look like or what it will offer. While there, have your child participate in hands-on activities. Book a library/bookstore trip! Libraries and bookstores often have kids’ programs that are particularly appealing when the temperature’s rising. Check their calendars for story times, book clubs and/or other educational events. Go shopping! Take a trip to a store and learn about prices. Grocery stores are ideal places to do this and offer a valuable chance to explain how one box of cereal may be a better value than another. In addition, Trimble says, this is a good time to engage your child in meal planning. Discuss food groups and “make your kids excellent consumers and healthy eaters.”

totalkid.azcentral.com

Be a green detective! Carefully scan the family’s recycling or trash bin to look for supplies that could be used to create something artistic or useful. Trimble says string can be used to make great art and boxes can be decorated to corral video games. Become a horticulturist! You don’t need a backyard. Just grow some small plants, like herbs, in a cup, Trimble says. It’s a chance to teach kids how to use herbs in a recipe, maybe plan a meal (great for character building, she says) and is a fun way to see that “everything doesn’t just come from the grocery store.” Chow down! If time and finances permit, dine at an inexpensive restaurant. Read the menu, compare items’ nutritional values, discuss tipping, try to predict the bill’s total and practice manners. “Use that word ‘manners’ because it’s such an important subject. Catch your kids when they’re being good. Children love that,” Trimble notes. Trip out! Summertime often means trips to see family and/or having houseguests, Trimble says, and that provides new opportunities for learning. Have your child plan a trip with you and introduce them to skills such as time management, map reading or understanding timetables (trains, planes, etc.). Another idea is to have your child interview a family member, which allows him or her to learn about your family’s heritage. Write on! Encourage your child to write in a journal, either on a weekly or daily basis; a picture journal is an alternative for younger kids. Have your child identify favorite parts and challenging times — the “highs” and “lows” — of the day or week, Trimble says. “This gives them a voice to process their day and learn life skills. The good thing is there is no right or wrong answer.” TOTALKID

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Feature

SUN SeNSe i

Learning CPR Do you have a child or provide care for a child? Do you have a pool in the backyard? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you should know some form of CPR. The newer version of CPR is known as CCC-CPR, which means ‘Continuous Chest Compression-CPR’. It does not require mouth-to-mouth contact, says Kimberly Marshall, R.N., Pediatric Emergency Room Nurse Manager at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale. “This new approach is much easier, safer and more effective than traditional CPR,” she says. Because there are slightly different CCC-CPR methods, which

t’s that time of year again, when the days grow long, children seemingly grow fins and the equivalent of what seems like nearly a week’s pay is invested in sunscreen. And now that summer’s here, for all intents and purposes, it’s also time to play it safe in the sun. That’s especially important when it comes to youngsters who are often oblivious to the onset of dehydration, overexposure and heat exhaustion making them more at risk for such things. Michael Graham, M.D., a Banner Children’s pediatric specialist in hematology and oncology, recommends that children — and adults, for that matter — stay out of the sun from about 10 a.m. to nearly 4 or 5 p.m. in the afternoon during the summer. That’s not realistic for lots of folks, he knows, but he urges families to do the best they can to heed that advice. “You’ll also want to be sure your kids are covered when they go outside, and try to restrict their outdoor activity to an hour or so,” he says, adding that it’s important for all ages to drink plenty of water throughout the summer months, especially before thirst sets in.

depend upon the size of the patient, proper professional training is necessary. Marshall says local fire departments, the American Red Cross and the Arizona Heart Association are all good places to find classes in CCC-CPR or the more traditional CPR. Either method is an important skill to have, she adds, because it could save a life. Interestingly, according to the city of Glendale’s website, 90 percent of the time, CCC-CPR will be performed on a family member or close friend. “Learn CCC-CPR or CPR so that when tragedy strikes and you’re faced with a situation where you need to do a lifesaving intervention,

you can,” Marshall says. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/BannerKids, search CPR or go to heart.org/ handsonlycpr. Download a free step-by-step information card by visiting http://www.glendaleaz.com/fire/ documents/cprcard.pdf. HANDS-ONLY CPR FOR WITNE

SSED SUDDEN COLL APSE

CHECK and CALL 1. 2. 3. 4.

TIPS: • Whenever possible use di sposable gloves when givin • Occasional gasps are no g care. t breathing.

GIVE CHEST COM PRESSIONS 1.

2. 3. 4.

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CHECK the scene, then CHECK the person. Tap on the shoulder and shout, “Are you okay?” and quickly look for breathin g. CALL 9-1-1 if no respons e. If unresponsive and not breathing, BEGIN CHEST COMPRESSIONS

Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest. Place the heel of the other hand on top of the first lacing your fingers together hand, . Keep your arms straight, position your shoulde rs directly over your hands. Push hard, push fast.

• Compress the chest at least 2 inches. • Compress at least 100 t imes per minute. • Let the chest rise comp letely before pushing dow n again. Continue chest compres sions.

spring/summer 2013

DO NOT STOP Except in one of these

situations: - You see an obvious sign of life (breathing). - Another trained respond er arrives and takes over.

- You are too exhauste d to continue. - An AED i

Choose loose, lightweight, opaque clothing with long sleeves for activities such as playing in the park or hiking, and opt for a UV (ultraviolet radiation)-blocking swim shirt, with long or short sleeves during pool time. Have kids use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and don’t fret too much about purchasing one with a super-high SPF, Graham says. A product with at least a 30 SPF should be adequate; just remember to reapply it liberally after sweating or swimming and be sure to cover any exposed areas. Top off your little one’s look with a cap or floppy hat and sunglasses. Specs don’t have to be pricey to be effective, but they should come with a label that denotes they block UV rays. Lastly, protect that pucker with an SPF-enhanced lip balm, and be sure to have kids of all ages take occasional breaks from the sun, either by heading inside or finding a spot in the shade. • TK For information, visit BannerHealth.com/KidsHealthLibrary, and search sun safety.

What you should know about

Pool Toys and Aids

hat inflatable whale in the pool? It may be cute, but don’t even think about it keeping a child who doesn’t swim well out of harm’s way. In fact, says Kimberly Marshall, R.N., don’t count on any pool toys or flotation devices to keep anyone safe in the water. “Unless something is clearly marked as a lifesaving device, it is not a lifesaving device,” says Marshall, who notes that a lifesaving buoy should always be near any pool you or your child enters. In fact, while a child is in a pool — or any body of water, for that matter — there’s absolutely no substitute for a parent or caregiver’s constant supervision, whether the child is an experienced swimmer or not, Marshall says. Unfortunately, statistics show that constant supervision is not always being given. Citing information from Cardon Children’s Medical Center, Marshall says drowning is the totalkid.azcentral.com

leading cause of injury death for Arizona children ages 1 to 5. “The problem for Arizona is probably that our water is so appealing,” she says. “We have canals and rivers throughout the state and more than 400,000 residential swimming pools.” Marshall says parents should also heed these suggestions: • Teach children the importance of the buddy system, to never swim alone and to only swim in areas designated for swimming (not bodies of water that may have a current or a drop-off in depth). • Keep a phone next to you so you don’t have to run inside. • Enroll children in swim lessons (but understand that you cannot rely on a child to get herself out of a bad situation if she’s panicking). • Make sure your pool has a working, selfclosing gate that locks automatically. For information, visit BannerHealth.com/ KidsHealthLibrary, search pool safety.

From a mom’s perspective It was Labor Day weekend of 2009, and Stephanie Burkett and her family were entertaining friends at their home. There was plenty of activity, a door got left open and the Burkett’s 14-month-old son, Calvin, crawled outside, found his way to the family pool and drowned. “We were just getting ready to finalize his adoption,” says Burkett, a Chandler mother of five who works as a nurse practitioner in the emergency room at Banner Desert Medical Center. “It just takes a minute to alter a lifetime.” The irony was that it also happened to be Drowning Awareness Month, she says, recalling a banner advertising the month at a local park. “I thought, ‘That doesn’t really apply to me. I always watch my kids’,” she says. But the fact is that child drownings happen to all kinds of families, she says. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, your educational level or where you live. And drownings happen to people who closely watch their kids, except perhaps for a critical minute or two when they grab a towel from indoors, use the bathroom or take a phone call. “It’s not so much a matter of a lack of supervision as it is a lapse in supervision,” Burkett says. Today, Burkett is a passionate drowning awareness advocate who urges families with children 6 years and younger to enroll them in survival swimming classes. She also recommends standard swim lessons for children and CPR classes for everyone, including youths. “When I speak to people, I tell them, ‘It can happen to you,’” she says. “If my story reaches one person that makes a change, then it’s all worth it.”

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Feature

BUGS , BEES and BITES

rizona is a special place in many ways, but one venom is a neurotoxin that poisons the nervous system and can cause excruciating pain, high or low reason it stands out to medical toxicologists blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and abnormal body like Aaron Skolnik, M.D., is because of all the and facial movement and sensation, Skolnik says. poisonous critters that live here. Unfortunately, the dangers are worse for children “We have scorpions, killer bees, rattlesnakes and than adults. Gila monsters, and all these creatures can be found “In general, the younger you are, the more sick in your own backyard or within Maricopa County,” you get,” he says. says Skolnik, a physician at the Department of Scorpions like to hide in wood piles, under rocks Medical Toxicology at Banner Good Samaritan and logs, and in dark places around Medical Center in Phoenix. “But you the house such as closets, garages and can take sensible measures to protect even inside footwear. “Everyone who yourself and your kids.” grew up in Arizona knows to shake That means educating yourself about their shoes out before putting them these potentially hazardous creatures on,” Skolnik says. and how to respond when you do come It’s very unusual to be allergic to into contact with them. Here’s the a scorpion sting, but if you are stung, lowdown on the usual suspects: symptoms will appear quickly. Don’t BEES. Although Africanized (or expect to see a sting site or swelling. ‘killer’) bees don’t have more potent Victims often don’t know they’ve been venom than a typical honeybee and they stung, but feel pain and a burning usually act the same as honeybees, their sensation. The pain can travel, too, response to real or perceived threats is Skolnik says. A classic sign of a scorpion much more aggressive. That’s important sting, though, is ‘bouncing eyeballs’ — to understand, since most bees in a temporary medical condition called Arizona and along the southern United Dr. Aaron Skolnik was opsoclonus in which a victim’s eyeballs States border are Africanized. involved in the process of appear to be bouncing in their sockets. “If you’re swarmed and have clinical trials for a new antiAlso keep in mind that kids don’t nowhere to go, protect your face and venom that was approved always act the way adults do when airway and, if possible, have someone they’re in pain. A child who’s been call for help,” Skolnik says. Also, be aware by the FDA to treat 95 percent of the venomous bitten by a scorpion may suddenly the bees will wait for you to surface if snakebites in Arizona. start crying or behaving unusually. you go under water. While a cold compress and a dose of Anyone who’s allergic to bee stings over-the-counter pain medicine is often enough for should always carry a rescue kit which will buy time until medical help can be reached. If you’re not allergic most adults, any child who’s been stung by a scorpion — or a child whom you think may have been stung and do get stung once or only a few times, a dose of — should get professional medical counsel. Contact over-the-counter pain medication should suffice. But the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center right if you feel short of breath or faint, go to the ER. away at 800-222-1222. A victim of any age having SCORPIONS. Although Arizona has plenty of trouble breathing or swallowing should call 911 and species of scorpions, it’s the bark scorpion that get to an emergency room immediately. poses the most risk. While rarely fatal, this creature’s

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spring/summer 2013

SNAKES. In Arizona, the most venomous snakes are rattlesnakes, whose venom makes blood thinner and unable to clot. Enzymes in the venom also cause tissue damage, so losing digits or even limbs is not unheard of in severe cases, Skolnik says. That said, roughly 20 to 30 percent of the time, a snake’s bite does not contain any venom. Nevertheless, snakebite victims should always seek medical attention because symptoms can be delayed. And that’s about all a victim should do: call 911 or the local poison control center, elevate the affected body part if possible and head to the emergency room.

LIZARDS. In all of North and South America, there are only two genuinely poisonous lizards. Arizona is graced with one of them, the beautiful Gila monster. While it’s difficult to actually get bitten by one of these shy creatures, Skolnik says it does happen. When it does, elevate the limb, call 911 and get to the emergency room. A Gila monster’s bite may cause impressive swelling, numbness and tingling, as well as a possible loss of tissue. • TK For information, visit bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter or call 800-222-1222.

AFRICANIZED BEE

BARK SCORPION

RATTLESNAKE

GILA MONSTER

BITE or STING?

Sting

Bite

SYMPTOMS?

Swelling, pain at site.

Excruciating pain at site or other area of body (pain can travel); abnormal body or facial movements, including “bouncing eyeballs,” and difficult seeing, walking, swallowing and breathing. Children may react by exhibiting unusual behavior, crying for no apparent reason or not acting “right.”

Pain, swelling around the area of the site.

Pain, significant swelling near the site, numbness and a tingling sensation.

Call a local Poison Control Center for advice if an adult or a child has been stung by a scorpion. The experts will help determine if a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Call 911, then elevate the affected area of the body if possible and seek professional medical treatment immediately.

If allergic, difficulty breathing and swallowing.

WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN OR STUNG?

If allergic, go to the Emergency Room. If breathing or swallowing becomes difficult, or if you feel faint, cool/clammy, go to the ER. If not allergic, take a dose of overthe-counter pain medication and monitor symptoms. Toxins in bee venom can be deadly, even if you are not allergic, depending on how many stings you receive. For children, the ratio is 1 sting per 1 pound, so a 20-lb. child who is stung 20 times needs to go to the ER and be evaluated.

WHAT NOT TO DO?

totalkid.azcentral.com

Do not remove stinger, do not swat at bees.

A cold compress may be applied to the area in pain, but a sting site will probably not be detected. An over-the-counter pain medication may also be given if needed.

Symptoms may be delayed, so bite victims should always seek immediate medical attention.

Call 911 , then elevate the affected area of the body if possible and seek professional medical treatment immediately.

Avoid the snake’s body, even if it is decapitated or dead. Nerve endings in a snake’s mouth can cause fangs to inject venom again, and people have been bitten by a dead snake, even through trash bags.

Do not cut open or suck venom from wound; do not apply a tourniquet or constrict blood flow ; do not use an “extraction kit,” suction cups or electric shock.

Gila monsters will latch on tightly, so do your best to pry away without hurting the animal, which is a protected species.

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Fit Kid Corner

Here comes the

HealthMobile!

alk about a mobile app! Since January, Banner Children’s new, $250,000 HealthMobile — made possible through a federal grant received in 2011 — has been taking to the streets to offer much-needed, free health care to uninsured, low-income children throughout the Valley, says Megan Christopherson, Child Health and Wellness Senior Manager with Banner Children’s School-Based Health Program. With a full-time nurse practitioner on board, the 40-foot RV with the splashy auto-wrap exterior also boasts a nifty interior: a cheerful waiting area with red leather-upholstered benches and a flat-screen TV, two exam rooms and all the equipment found in a typical pediatrician’s office. But this mobile unit isn’t merely a portable office: it’s a safety-net. “We’re seeing kids who’ve not been treated for years,” Christopherson says. “Our first patient in Maricopa came in with issues of asthma and an untreated brain tumor. We are seeing patients who have been dropped by (Arizona health insurance programs) AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) or KidsCare and have complex medical conditions and nowhere to go.” The HealthMobile is part of Banner Health’s schoolbased health program, which has been operating since the mid-1990s. Their three permanent clinics are

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located at schools in Glendale, Mesa and Chandler. Christopherson says the need for the Healthmobile became apparent after feedback from clinic users indicated families were often driving hundreds of miles to reach the clinics, which are closed on Fridays, during summer and on school holidays. Christopherson said it was determined the need was greatest in Maricopa, Queen Creek and Buckeye, so that’s where the HealthMobile now goes four days a week. On Mondays, the RV is parked at Buckeye Elementary School; on Tuesdays, the unit roams as a mobile asthma clinic with an asthma educator on board; on Wednesdays, it’s at Maricopa Elementary School; and on Thursdays, it’s at Banner Ironwood Medical Center, across from J.O. Combs Unified School District office. On Fridays, neither the HealthMobile nor any of the school-based clinics are open. The program also partners with the Women’s Health Coalition, Christopherson says, which provides a free community service to help get uninsured families enrolled in AHCCCS if they’re eligible. “It’s fantastic,” Christopherson says of all the things the HealthMobile makes possible. “Now we can be open year-round, we can operate during the summer and we can help get people insured.” • TK To make a reservation, call 480-412-6344.

spring/summer 2013

For Parents

“What we wish parents knew…” A candid discussion with a Valley pediatrician

“Milk tends to be an overrated food and most pediatricians caution parents not to allow children to drink excessive amounts. I’d suggest no more than a cup or two a day. Otherwise, you can wind up with an irritated bowel and cramps, as lots of people develop lactose intolerance after infancy. For additional calcium, yogurt is a good alternative because it contains much less lactose. Iron deficiency is also associated with excessive milk intake and that deficiency is associated with learning issues. Be sure to offer children plenty of water to drink instead and, on occasion, juice. Just be mindful of the high caloric content of most juice products.”

info to keep handy

More health info for kids and parents:

BannerHealth.com/ KidsHealthLibrary bannerhealth.com/ bannerkids

Banner Poison Control: bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter 800-222-1222 Facebook: facebook.com/bannerchildrens Sign up for our e-newsletter: bannerhealth.com/econnect Banner Children’s Fit Kid (info on fitness and nutrition): bannerhealth.com/bannerchildrensfitkid

—Michael Graham, M.D.

Get your ‘fitness on’

Check out these Banner Childrens’ Fit Kid events Banner Children’s Larry Fitzgerald Football Procamp

May 11-12, 2013 9 am- 12:30 pm McClintock High School, Tempe, AZ Boys and girls ages 7-14 Fee: $199 Info: procamps.com/LarryFitzgerald totalkid.azcentral.com

Kids are invited to join seven-time Arizona Cardinal All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for football instruction and fun at the Banner Children’s Larry Fitzgerald Football ProCamp.

City of Mesa Banner Children’s Fit Kid Kamp

June 3 through July 11 Monday - Thursday, 1-5:30pm Emerson Elementary, Brimhall Elementary Schools Boys and girls ages 9-12 Fee: $35/42

Info: mesaaz.gov/parksrec/Youth/ summeractivities.aspx This summer fitness program is devoted to educating youth about the importance of healthy living. Participants will learn about nutrition and physical fitness through special speakers, recreational activities and field trips. Parents of participants are required to attend three meetings to educate the family on healthy lifestyles. Required first parent meeting May 29, 5:30 p.m. at Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

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Kids’ Activities

‘Make

a game

of it!’

ave your kids got a case of Valley-style cabin fever from being cooped-up inside while the mercury soars? They can still get their game on and have a good time while staying cool indoors, says Meredith Jenkins, a Banner Children’s Child Life assistant at Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa. “Find things that are fun to do and make a game of it,” she says. “Kids love challenges and competition.” Some of her ideas include: • have a balancing contest to

see who can stand the longest on one foot • make an indoor obstacle course (check with parents for safety issues first) • update the beloved eggtransfer game by using a ping-pong ball (not as messy as an egg!) and a ladle; a bigger group of kids can turn this into a race

• blast high-energy music, then quickly stop playing it and have kids ‘freeze’ into funny poses or drop to the ground • create a carnival-style tossing game by placing buckets or large plastic bowls at different distances and toss bean-bags or ping-pong balls into them.

Recipe

Kid-friendly, brain-booster

ummer means frozen treats, but many store-bought goodies aren’t much more than sugarladen icicles with little nutritional content. Instead, why not create a protein-topped, wholesome cold snack that’s also delicious and easy for little hands to make? Banner Children’s Dietitian Bailey Noble suggests the tried-and-true combo of fruit and yogurt. Here’s how:

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s, e to use; banana e fruits you’d lik or m or e e th on el ct 1. Sele ze well. Pe wberries all free s oranges and stra ions; peel orange se to two-inch ct in t cu d an s na bana segments. and divide into a toothpick or ction with either se t ui fr nillach ea r into fat-free, va 2. Spea d then dip fruit an k ic st le ty t-s craf yogurt. ax flavored Greek t covered with w on a cookie shee ns io ct r se fo t r ui ze fr e ee to the fr 3. Plac e cookie sheet in paper and put th s hardened. ha rt til the yogu un , ur ho t-covered) an t abou enjoy the (yogur d an r ze ee fr e th ts into 4. Remove from ning frozen trea r! Put any remai bo la age. or ur st yo r of fo t r frui e freeze place back in th d an g ba spring/summer 2013 r ze ee a fr

Banner Children’s has pediatric care covered. Blanky. Fuzzy. Wubby. No matter what they’re called, Banner Children’s understands security blankets. Parents need security, too. With Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in the West Valley, Cardon Children’s Medical Center in the East Valley, and pediatricians and pediatric specialists all over, Banner Children’s has kids covered. That’s how we handle everything, from simple tummy aches to serious health issues. Isn’t it comforting to have a pediatric security blanket serving the entire Valley? Discover what a comprehensive network of pediatricians, pediatric specialists and kid-focused hospitals can do for your sense of security.

Cardon Children’s Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center Pediatricians and Pediatric Specialists BannerHealth.com/BannerChildrens

Find a physician: 602-230 - CARE (2273) • Help support Banner Children’s: 602-747-GIVE (4483). Connect with us:

BANNER HEALTH 1441 N. 12th SREET PHOENIX, AZ 85006-2887

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO.1677

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