Parenting Pediatrician

03/09/2026

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/cdc-reports-11-more-pediatric-flu-deaths

A total of 90 US children have died from flu-related complications this season, according to the latest CDC update.

02/09/2026

https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/autism/119787

Very important: the 2024 supposedly linking leucovorin (a type of folic acid) to improvement in children with Autism was found to have data problems, and was found to not be replecatable. This means it was not true. Leucovorin/ folic acid is not a magic pill, and likely not even helpful, for kids people with Autism.

Journal pulls research over data concerns

02/01/2026

Happy New Year of the Trees! Tu B' Shvat Sameach!

01/18/2026

My friend Tali Sherman is offering a workshop for teens to help them learn emotional and self regulation there in West LA:

From Impulse to Insight: Understanding the Teen Brain

This workshop equips students with a deeper understanding of how the unique biology of the adolescent brain impacts behavior. By demystifying the neurological "gap" between the Amygdala and the Prefrontal Cortex, students gain the metacognition needed to move from impulsive reactions to intentional actions.

Key Objectives:

Neurological Insights: Understanding how brain development dictates behavior to increase self-awareness.

Building Student Agency: Empowering students to become the driving force behind their own personal growth.

Practical Self-Regulation: Providing concrete SEL techniques, such as box breathing and use of I-statements, for immediate emotional control.

Student Impact: In Their Own Words

The following "testimonials" were pulled directly from my most recent End-of-Course student evaluations:

On Self-Awareness & Habits: "I found 'The Teen Brain' to be the most interesting topic this quarter because it gave me answers to why I feel a certain way with anxiety and anger issues. It helped me understand why I make choices out of impulse... I have had a really bad sleeping schedule since I was 7, and now that I know why I have other health problems because of it, I'm going to work to change it."

On Emotional Clarity: "I found 'Controlling Emotions' interesting since it gave me new methods to keep negative thoughts from filling my mind. It helped me learn how to fix my venting since I never seemed to find a solution before. If I feel something negative now, it doesn't take a long time for me to get over it."

01/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1259088842750431&id=100059479812265&post_id=100059479812265_1259088842750431&mibextid=NOb6eG

01/02/2026

Happy New Year!
- Dr Shaham

12/26/2025

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/mom-shares-warning-batteries-christmas-gifts-after-daughters/story?id=128660279

A Colorado mom is sharing a warning for other parents as her 4-year-old daughter recovers in the hospital after swallowing a small button battery.

12/16/2025

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/tongue-tie-may-not-be-breastfeeding-barrier-2025a1000yx4

A study of hundreds of mother-infant pairs finds that tongue-tie does not affect breastfeeding, but mothers’ concerns about milk supply strongly predict early weaning.

12/12/2025

Collection of politicalish cartoons relating to pediatrics

12/08/2025

https://medlearn.com/blue-cross-ncs-new-inpatient-policy-violates-federal-regulations-and-aetna-thanks-blue-cross-for-taking-the-spotlight-off-them/

Many people are still seething mad about Aetna’s devious plan to approve all inpatient admissions, but pay a lower rate for those that do not meet MCG’s nonexistent severity criteria. Well, I hope you have saved some seething for Blue Cross of North Carolina. What are they going to do? Well, as ...

11/27/2025

Happy California Thanksgiving!!!

11/19/2025

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/amoxicillin-challenge-may-be-safe-kids-labeled-allergic-2025a1000w7a

Direct amoxicillin challenges appear safe for identifying infants and toddlers with unnecessary penicillin allergy labels, researchers report.