Dearborn Pediatrics

10/31/2025

Wishing all our little ghosts and goblins a fantastic Halloween!🎃

08/24/2025

AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits

Parents know who they should go to when their child is sick. But pediatrician visits are just as important for healthy children.

The Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed a set of comprehensive health guidelines for well-child care, known as the "periodicity schedule." It is a schedule of screenings and assessments recommended at each well-child visit from infancy through adolescence.

Schedule of well-child visits
The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
12 months old
15 months old
18 months old
2 years old (24 months)
2 ½ years old (30 months)
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old
6 years old
7 years old
8 years old
9 years old
10 years old
11 years old
12 years old
13 years old
14 years old
15 years old
16 years old
17 years old
18 years old
19 years old
20 years old
21 years old
The benefits of well-child visits
Prevention. Your child gets scheduled immunizations to prevent illness. You also can ask your pediatrician about nutrition and safety in the home and at school.

Tracking growth & development. See how much your child has grown in the time since your last visit, and talk with your doctor about your child's development. You can discuss your child's milestones, social behaviors and learning.

Raising any concerns. Make a list of topics you want to talk about with your child's pediatrician such as development, behavior, sleep, eating or getting along with other family members. Bring your top three to five questions or concerns with you to talk with your pediatrician at the start of the visit.

Team approach. Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships among pediatrician, parent and child. The AAP recommends well-child visits as a way for pediatricians and parents to serve the needs of children. This team approach helps develop optimal physical, mental and social health of a child.

08/24/2025

Back to School, Back to the Doctor: How Annual Checkups Support Your Child’s Health

No matter what grade your child is entering this fall, there's probably a lot to do before the first day rolls around. Here's why a thorough health checkup and sports physical should be on your back-to-school checklist.

Why regular check-ups matter
Seeing the doctor at least once a year helps create an accurate, up-to-date record of your child's growth and development. For some healthy kids, back-to-school could be the only time they visit the pediatrician. That makes this checkup even more essential.

Summer physicals help your child's doctor spot new health issues such as a recent injury, food allergy or difficulties with sleep. Regular screenings to check your child's vision, hearing, balance, breathing, heart function and more can identify health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening.

At the back-to-school check-up, your pediatrician can also ask about mental or emotional issues that, if left untreated, could make life and school much harder for your child. They can offer guidance on building healthy habits and routines, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and a family media plan, so that your child can be healthy and ready to learn and thrive in school.

How immunizations protect your child, family & community
All 50 states require children and teens to get certain vaccines before starting school. These regulations help keep serious diseases such as whooping cough, polio, smallpox and others from harming your child and sickening others, including your family.

The vast majority of parents vaccinate their children, and that means illnesses are less likely to spread in their children's schools. When all children are able to access immunizations, we can create healthier schools for everyone.

AAP policy explained: school immunization requirements
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children have vaccines as required by the laws of their state. Strong immunization laws support healthy school environments, safe spaces where children can learn, grow and thrive.

Immunizations are one of the most important steps we can take to protect kids in the classroom. Following the AAP recommended vaccine schedule ensures that by the time your child is old enough to start kindergarten, their immune system will be ready to resist 16 diseases. This helps them stay ahead of germs so they can avoid getting sick and missing school. Vaccines keep their school friends, families and communities healthy, too. When more school kids have immunity, it’s harder for dangerous contagious diseases to spread.

Sometimes, a child might have a medical reason why they should skip one or more shot. Medical exemptions might be temporary or permanent, based on the child and their condition. (See "AAP Reaffirms Stance on Non-Medical Exemptions to School Entry Immunization Requirements.")

06/21/2025

All About the Recommended Immunization Schedules:
​​Top disease experts—including pediatricians—work together throughout the year to update the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger.

The schedule is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics and based on ongoing review of the most recent scientific data for each of the recommended vaccines and other immunizations.
To be included in the recommended schedule, the vaccines must be licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.

The schedule also recommends the age when children and teens should receive each vaccine or immunization.

Following this schedule gives children the best protection from diseases.
If you have questions about vaccines, don't hesitate to ask your Provider!
They know your child's health history and can talk with you about specific vaccines

05/31/2025

5 Reasons to Enroll Your Children in Swim Lessons
Click here to insert a picture from SharePoint.
Learning to swim can provide your child a lifelong source of fun and fitness. It also adds a layer of drowning prevention when they're around water.

Here are some of many reasons to enroll your child in swim lessons. Also learn when kids are ready, how to find quality lessons, and why you may want to consider signing up, too!

1. Swimming can be fun!
Children of all ages are often enthralled by water. Whether kids jump in, splash at the surface, or toss in objects to watch them float and sink, water endlessly fascinates t them. Learning to swim is one way to engage your child with water and allow them to safely experience the joy that water has to offer.

2. Swim lessons promote water safety
Each year, many young children and teens lose their lives by drowning. Children are naturally drawn to water. And if they do not know how to swim, they can easily get into trouble. The leading reason that children drown is that they wander and encounter a pool or other body of water while unsupervised. Making sure that children know how to swim is a layer of protection to prevent drowning. Swim instruction includes lessons in water safety that even very young children can learn.

3. Swimming is great exercise.
Daily physical activity is important for all children. Swimming is a low-impact way to gain strength and endurance while having fun. Children of all fitness levels and abilities can enjoy time in the pool. Becoming comfortable in the water is a great way to build the idea that fitness is fun. Early and regular swimming can lay the foundation for a healthy level of activity and lifelong enjoyment as an adult.

4. Swim lessons promote healthy development.
Swimming can support a child's healthy mental development, endurance and strength, general coordination and balance. Children of nearly any age, background, size and physical ability can learn to swim. Swimming allows children of all levels of ability to get outdoors and be active while socializing with their peers. Skills learned in swimming can translate to other sports as well, including building the confidence to try other physical activities.

5. Learning to swim can build self-confidence
Children love to say, "I can do it!" Competence is the ability to accomplish a task well. Competence can lead to self-confidence. As children grow, challenges such as learning to swim help children to develop the confidence to persevere in difficult tasks. In swim class, a child can learn that something difficult can be accomplished over time. Developing competence is a vital step in gaining the independence that children will eventually need to transition into adulthood.

Benefits of swim lessons for kids with autism or ADHD
Children with neurological differences can benefit greatly from learning to swim. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher risk of drowning, possibly because children with ASD tend to wander.

Swim lessons not only help keep children with ASD safe but may improve their motor skills (such as running, catching and balancing) and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise in general improves social skills and reduces certain behaviors (such as rocking and spinning) in children with ASD. Research also suggests that as little as 12 weeks of swim lessons improved school performance and behavior in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Parent FAQs about swim lessons
Is my child ready for swim lessons?
Most children are ready for swim lessons by the time they are 4 years old. Children younger than that can participate in classes that allow a parent or caregiver and child to be in the water together with an instructor. This is a great way to create comfort in the water and build swim readiness skills. Infants can also enjoy a fun time in the water with their caregiver; however, they can't yet raise their heads out of the water well enough to breathe.

How can I find a swim program?
The Red Cross offers swim lessons throughout the country. The YMCA also has swim programs, as do private organizations. You can find swim programs by using the search box called "Find a School" on the US Swim School's website. There also may be low-cost or free swim programs available in your community. Check your local city, village, or town hall for information about swim programs.

What if I never learned how to swim?
When your child is ready to swim, it is a great time to learn if you do not know how to swim. Sometimes parents who are not able to swim avoid the water. This can prevent your child from learning to enjoy water activities but also can put your child at risk.

The AAP suggests that families provide layers of protection around children, to keep them safe in the water. For example, one layer of protection is teaching a child to swim. Another layer is a caregiver who is confident in the water.

Preventing young children, even those who do know how to swim, from getting into water when it is not time to swim helps as well. Teaching teens to be safe around water by avoiding alcohol and risky behavior is another example.

If you haven't yet learned to swim, sharing the challenge of learning to swim as a family can be a great bonding experience.

Remember
Learning to swim, like learning to ride a bike, can be a rite of passage for children. Those who learn to swim as children can draw on that young experience forever. Learning to swim provides the opportunity for lifelong fun, fitness, and feeling confident (and safe) around the water.

05/30/2025

Fluoride For Children:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and makes your child's teeth stronger. Fluoride can be found in drinking water, food and beverages, toothpaste, mouth rinses and dental treatments such as fluoride varnish.

Here are some common questions you may have about how fluoride helps keep your child's teeth healthy.

Why do children need fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that can slow or stop cavities from forming. We all have bacteria in our mouth that combines with sugars from food and drinks to make acid. The acid harms the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel. Fluoride protects teeth from being damaged by the acid and helps rebuild tooth enamel.

That is why many communities add fluoride to the tap water. Children should drink plenty of water and brush with toothpaste that has fluoride in it.

Is fluoride in drinking water safe for my children?
Yes. America has been preventing tooth decay with fluoridated water for over 80 years.

05/08/2025

Important: ADHD Medication Review and Evaluation
Dear Parents,
A Provider visit is now required to evaluate or continue ADHD medications every six (6) months.
This visit is necessary to assess the effectiveness of your child's current medication regimen, monitor side effects, and ensure we are optimizing our treatment plan.
Refills will not be issued without an onsite evaluation/appointment every six (6) months.
Dearborn Pediatrics Providers

03/22/2025

Parents! Please note these changes!

03/06/2025

SPORTS PHYSICALS

The Michigan High School Athletic Association requires an up-to-date sports physical for all students who will participate in athletics during the school year. Most fall sports start practice before the school year begins and will require sports physical. We recommend scheduling the appointment now before the last-minute rush.

03/02/2025

How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak
Recent measles outbreaks have many families concerned. Most of the people who have gotten sick were not vaccinated against measles. This is a stark reminder of the importance of making sure your children are fully vaccinated.

Here are answers to questions that many parents have about measles outbreaks.

I thought measles was a mild illness, so why the alarm now?
Measles was once a common childhood disease and almost an expected part of growing up. While most children recovered from the measles without problems, many others did not. In some children, the infection caused pneumonia and in a few, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and even death. Of every 1,000 people who got measles, 1 to 2 would die.

Before the measles vaccine was available, every year an average of 450 people died from measles; most of them were previously healthy children.

Thanks to the success of the measles vaccine, we are now able to protect children from the measles. However, in recent years some parents have refused or delayed vaccinating their children out of fear or misinformation about the safety of the measles vaccine. This means there are more unvaccinated children, teens and adults in our communities.

U.S. measles outbreaks
There have been at least 3 measles outbreaks reported in the United States in 2025. This includes one in Texas, where an unvaccinated school-age child has died from measles.

Choosing to not vaccinate your children not only leaves them susceptible to measles, but also exposes other children to measles. This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and those who are unable to be vaccinated due to other health conditions. (See "Should children who have not had a measles vaccine go to school during an outbreak?")
How is measles spread?
The measles virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs and someone nearby inhales the infected droplets. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of an infected person.

How long can the measles virus live on surfaces?
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. The virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air where infected people have coughed or sneezed, or on surfaces they may have touched. As a result, anyone in crowded, public spaces may come into contact with measles.

What are the signs & symptoms of measles?
The most recognizable measles symptom is a very high fever accompanied by a red or brownish blotchy rash, although this is not the only symptom., although this is not the only symptom.

Before the rash appears, children with measles develop cold-like symptoms, including:

Cough

Runny nose

Fever

Red, watery eyes

These symptoms tend to get worse during the first 1 to 3 days of the illness.

When do children need to get the measles vaccine?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend children receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 12-15 months, and again at 4-6 years. Children can receive the second dose earlier if it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

There is a combination vaccine called MMRV that contains both chickenpox and MMR vaccines. MMRV is an option for some children 12 months through 12 years of age.

What if my baby is too young for the measles vaccine?
High immunization rates in a community protects those who are too young to be vaccinated, including infants under 12 months of age. These infants are at the highest risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death due to measles. Find information on vaccines for infants age 6-12 months old during an outbreak or before international travel to a location with an active measles outbreak.

Is the measles vaccine safe?
Yes. Occasional side effects of the measles vaccine include fever, tenderness at the injection site and rash. Rare side effects include a temporary decrease in blood platelets. The measles vaccine does not cause autism. Getting the measles vaccine is much safer than getting the measles infection.

01/11/2025

MDHHS warns Michigan residents about increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases
November 04, 2024

https://youtu.be/DB70izafC1Y

Families of young children urged to get up to date with immunizations

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is calling attention to an increase in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, and urging individuals to get up to date with vaccinations. Case numbers across the state surpassed last year’s reports and are coinciding with a return to pre-pandemic patterns of more cases per year nationally.

Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of pertussis each year. There have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.

Early symptoms of pertussis can look like a common cold. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing (called apnea), which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.

Pertussis is common in the United States. The acute infectious disease can cause serious illness in people of all ages, is more likely to be severe and possibly deadly for infants. The median age of pertussis cases in 2024 is 13 years and 75% of these cases have been in people under the age of 18.

“Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. CDC also recommends a dose of pertussis vaccine for adults who haven’t received a dose as an adolescent or adult.

Michigan is continuing to see declining childhood immunization rates, meaning more infants and children are at risk for severe pertussis illnesses. In Michigan, 82.9% of children have received their first dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine by the time they are three months old. However, only 65.6% of 19-month-olds received all four recommended doses for DTaP.

For more information on pertussis, visit the CDC’s website and follow the CDC for information on pertussis cases and outbreaks or Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan.

Pertussis is a serious contagious disease caused by a bacterium. It can produce a whooping cough. It is most severe and extremely dangerous in young infants...

12/15/2024

Caring for Kids with Colds & Flu: Simple Remedies to Ease Symptoms

In most parts of the U.S., fall marks the start of cold and flu season. This means kids will face higher risks for getting sick. Respiratory viruses are usually the culprit – and the symptoms they cause can make your child feel miserable.

What can you do to ease aches, sniffles and fever so your child can get better? Here's a closer look at the viruses that cause colds and flu and helpful tips for treating your child at home, mostly without medicines. (Also see, "Cough & Cold Survival Kit: Symptom-Relief Essentials for Families.")
The viruses behind cold symptoms
The viruses that cause colds and flu thrive in cold, dry air. This might explain why there's a distinct season when we're more vulnerable to them. Fall and winter are often considered prime times for colds and flu, but some viral illnesses surge in the spring, too.

Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses, which can lead to:
Sneezing, sniffling

Cough

Stuffy, runny nose

Headache

Body aches

Sleepiness

Sore throat

Watery eyes

Low-grade fever (around 99.5°F to 100.3°F)

Chills

Kids with infections triggered by non-polio enterovirus or adenovirus might have some of these symptoms, but may also experience:

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Nausea

Stomach pain

Eye redness

Skin rash

Is it the flu?
Influenza—or "flu" for short—is triggered by a virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. Two main kinds of flu virus (A and B) cause seasonal outbreaks of flu each year.

If your child has seasonal flu, they might experience:

Fever or chills (though not every case of flu triggers fever)

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle and body aches

Headaches

Tiredness

Vomiting

Diarrhea

These symptoms can also be caused by human parainfluenza virus, which may trigger extra troubles like ear pain, irritability and decreased appetite.

6 simple & safe ways to help your child feel better when they're sick
Colds and flu are common in childhood, partly because your child's immune system is still developing. In most cases, time is the best treatment. In the meantime, here are some simple ways to keep your child comfortable while they get well.

Consider a fever reducer. Not every fever needs to be treated, but if your child can't sleep, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Keep the right formula for your child's age on hand—chewables, liquid or infant drops. Follow the package directions carefully to make sure you're giving the right dose. If your child can't keep food and liquids down, a suppository may help.

Note: Never give your child aspirin for fever or pain, since it can seriously harm their health.

Keep your child hydrated. Kids fighting colds or flu need plenty of fluids, especially if diarrhea and vomiting are involved. Electrolyte drinks can help restore the minerals your child's body needs.

Once they're able to keep food and liquids down, you can switch to plain water. Warm liquids like hot water with lemon, broth and caffeine-free tea are a double remedy, since they replenish fluids and ease sore throats.

Relieve sniffles without drugs. Little noses will feel much better after you gently clear away congestion with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator. Saline drops, sprays and mists or rinses are often part of this therapy, and can be used on their own to help clear nasal passages. These are safe to use multiple times a day. (Tissues, hankies or plain-water wipes are great for catching the drips that might irritate your child's skin.)

Reach for honey instead of cough syrup. There are many over-the-counter medicines to treat a child's cough, but health experts point to the benefits of honey for children over 1 year old. This simple treatment works by soothing your child's throat and coating cough receptors.

You can dissolve a half to full teaspoon of pasteurized honey in a warm liquid for your little one to sip. Older children can take honey directly from a teaspoon every 2 hours. Make sure your child's teeth are brushed afterward to avoid tooth decay, especially before bedtime.

Add a cool-mist humidifier. Keeping the air in your child's space humidified can relieve a stuffy nose while easing dry coughs. Cool, moist air can also thin congestion and makes it easier to cough up. Be sure to clean the humidifier or v***rizer often to prevent growth of mold and bacteria or buildup of minerals.

Try mentholated v***r rub to ease nighttime symptoms. This is a time-tested way to relieve aches and pains and relieve coughs, especially at night. Menthol—the scented, cooling ingredient in the rub—helps open nasal passages so your child can breathe easier.

Apply the rub to your child's chest, leaving clothing loose so the v***rs reach their nose and throat while they sleep. It's safe for children who are at least 2 years old. As with any medication, read and follow the directions carefully.

How long should kids stay home with a cold or flu?
Most kids recover from colds within 7 to 10 days. Flu might pass more quickly, often within 5 days. But since these illnesses are very contagious, kids should not go to school, community events or play dates until vomiting and diarrhea pass, cough is improving for at least 24 hours, and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

When should I call my child's doctor?
Keep a close eye on your child when cold or flu symptoms show up, especially if your child has asthma or a history of breathing problems such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Kids with weakened immune systems or those taking oral steroids should be watched more closely, too.

Go to the nearest emergency department if your child:
Can't stay awake

Is too weak to move or stand

Gasps for every breath or has severe wheezing

Struggles to cry or speak

Get in touch with your pediatrician or family doctor right away if a child has:
Severe vomiting or diarrhea for more than 8 hours

No urine for at least 8 hours, or dark urine with dry mouth and no tears

Stomach pain when not vomiting

Fever of 104° F or higher (or fever of 100.4 or higher in a child under 3 months of age)

Fever for 5 or more days

Harsh sounds or wheezing while breathing

Breathing much faster than normal

Lips or face turn blue during coughing

Babies under 12 months may need a doctor's care if they vomit after 2 or more feedings (aside from normal spit-up), struggle to breathe or have loose stool that lasts more than a day. If you're worried, don't wait—call your pediatrician for help.

A word about COVID-19, RSV and parvovirus
Cold and flu symptoms can also be signs of more serious illnesses such as:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is common in babies and toddlers

COVID-19, which tends to be milder in children but can lead to serious illness

Human parvovirus B19, which can cause a bright-red, "slapped cheek" rash with cold or flu symptoms and joint pain