Descanso Pediatrics

06/03/2023

We are writing to share with you that, after 12 years with our office, Dr. Castro will be moving out of state with his family in pursuit of new life and career opportunities. His last day with Descanso Pediatrics and Huntington Health Physicians will be June 21, 2023. If you are his patient, you should be receiving a more detailed announcement shortly by mail.

He would appreciate the chance to say goodbye and thank you in person (if he is unable to do so at an office visit). He will be at Memorial Park (in La Canada a short walk from Descanso Pediatrics) tomorrow Saturday, June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. with some small treats if you’d like to stop by.

We sincerely thank him for all the care he has provided our patients, and we wish him and his family all the best in their new endeavors.

09/11/2021

An article published about 1 month ago, but still relevant today.

Many parents have seen their kids' weight go up after months of disrupted schedules and excess screen time. Here's how to respond, without causing new problems, like body image issues.

09/10/2021

See the most recent interview with Dr. Rodarte on ABC. "With the delta variant surging, health officials are now bracing for the impact that this past Labor Day weekend will have in the weeks to come." -

With the delta variant surging, health officials are now bracing for the impact that this Labor Day weekend will have in the weeks to come.

09/07/2021

COVID & Children ABC News segment from this past Friday featuring our own Dr. Rodarte.

08/28/2021

Great article answering questions about myocarditis and the COVID-19 vaccines.

Myocarditis after the COVID-19 vaccine is a rare reaction in young people, but most cases have been short-lived, with patients getting better very quickly.

08/24/2021

Dr. Rodarte on ABC7 yesterday speaking about what full FDA approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine means in the fight against the pandemic.

The medical community hopes full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine will convince more Americans to roll up their sleeves and more workplaces to require getting the shot.

08/11/2021

Dr. Michael Neely, chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) yesterday discussing kids and COVID. Highlights below, but well worth a full listen/read if you are able.

COVID IN KIDS: "Doctors are seeing patients as young as just a few weeks old come down with serious symptoms...Many of these kids are getting it from unvaccinated family or community members."

COVID VACCINE FOR ADOLESCENTS: "Ahead of the new school year, Neely is urging parents with eligible children to get them vaccinated. 'If they're old enough to get vaccinated, run, don't walk, to the nearest place where you can get it, and you can get it for free in so many, so many places. Get that vaccine for your eligible adolescent.'"

KIDS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO VACCINATE: If they’re not of age, he recommends wearing masks indoors or in crowded outdoor areas. He also encourages parents to set up playdates with vaccinated families.

RETURN TO SCHOOL:After seeing schools enforce constant safety protocols, Neely says kids are relatively safe when returning to classrooms.

“These measures work. They protect children. And goodness knows we've learned as a society what the damage has been to our children from being out of school for a year. And we don't want to go back there again. So yes, I do believe it's safe to send your child to school as long as the school is able to follow those protocols.”

No coronavirus vaccines are approved for anyone under age 12, and right now, kids of all ages are suffering from a massive spike in new COVID infections.

07/25/2021

Dr. Rodarte this week on ABC 7 discussing the American Academy of Pediatric’s recommendations for masks and children for the upcoming school year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics made the suggestions while also supporting in-person learning for the upcoming school year.

07/21/2021

“”So many people, unvaccinated individuals, are getting Delta that children are getting swept up along with it, and I think this is going to make things very difficult as the school year opens," Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, said Tuesday.

"I think we fall into this flawed thinking of saying that only 400 of these 600,000 deaths from Covid-19 have been in children," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing. "Children are not supposed to die. And so, 400 is a huge amount for respiratory season."

The best thing would be to have everybody vaccinated who can be vaccinated," she added. "Surround unvaccinated children who are not yet eligible with people who are vaccinated to protect them.” “

New Covid-19 cases among children are back on the rise after months of declines, just as schools across the United States are gearing up to reopen in a few weeks.

07/13/2021

Check out our very own Dr. Rodarte on ABC News discussing heat and hikers.

The LA County Emergency Rescue team is warning people to take precautions when hiking outdoors due to the extreme heat. Lauren Coronado reports for NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on July 11, 2021.

07/09/2021

Get Excited for in-person School this Fall. Check out "DOC TALK" on page 17 with our very own Dr. Diala Faddoul!

Reader for summer in Los Angeles? Here's our Summer Spectacular issue, full of the latest info on theme parks and vacation spots now that we can gather and travel again, along with our tips on local, lesser-known get-aways that are awesome for families. And our Calendar is back! Check out the dozens...

05/21/2021

For the Laker fans out there, consider getting your first COVID vaccine this weekend!! Looks like only qualify if 18 or over and your first shot, so younger Laker fans encourage your parents (or your favorite aunt/uncle, etc.) to get their vaccine.

Officials nationwide have been getting ever-more lucrative ways of urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and now one of sports fans' most prized items is being offered in Los Angeles County: free Lakers season tickets.