Laguna Beach Pediatrics - Dr. Manpreet Sarna, MD

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

Scoliosis is a common spine condition often found in adolescents. Roughly 3 million new cases of the condition are diagnosed in the United States each year, with a majority of them identified as idiopathic scoliosis — a type of scoliosis that presents in children in their teenage years.
It is important for parents to make sure their children are receiving regular checkups so that conditions like scoliosis can be diagnosed and managed early.
If scoliosis can be diagnosed before the child has a growth spurt, interventions such as bracing to keep the curve from getting worse.
Common signs of scoliosis include uneven shoulders or hips, but it is generally a painless condition that may go unnoticed until a routine exam or physical. The curve gets worse around the time of growth spurt and is more noticeable.
Good news is that only a small percentage (about 20%) need bracing, and an even smaller percentage (about 10%) of patients with scoliosis need surgery.
For children who are still growing, an external torso brace can be used to prevent further worsening of scoliosis while the child grows. Even when wearing a brace, most children live normal lives and participate in the same activities as their peers.

07/12/2025

Stay Hydrated, and Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Summer is the time for hot temperatures and outdoor play. When added together, it could also mean dehydration and heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This is especially true for children because their bodies don’t cool down as fast as adults.
Make sure children always have a filled water bottle with them.
Allow your child to choose a fun water bottle and/or straw, and stick to water — not soda or juice.

The following amounts of water each day (depending on exact age, medical conditions, activity levels and the weather):

6 months and older: 0.5–1 cup a day
Toddlers: up to 4 cups a day
School-aged children: up to 8 cups a day
Teens: 8–12 cups a day
No matter if you are in the backyard, at the beach or taking a walk outside, you need water to avoid dehydration. When out in the heat, your body loses fluids and electrolytes through sweat, and if you lose too much fluid and salt, you can become dehydrated.”

07/12/2025

If your asthma is worse, it could be because of the high pollen levels. If your asthma is allergic, your symptoms are most often triggered by inhaling allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen or mold.