Bama Pediatrics

10/24/2025

10/24/2025

10/23/2025

In 1952, inside a New York City delivery room, a baby was born blue and silent. Doctors hesitated, unsure whether to keep trying. Then a calm voice broke through the panic.
“Let’s score the baby,” said Dr. Virginia Apgar.

That moment changed medicine forever.

Apgar had once dreamed of being a surgeon, but in the 1940s few women were allowed into the operating room. Told that no hospital would hire her, she turned to anesthesiology instead — a decision that would save millions of lives.

Working in Columbia-Presbyterian’s maternity ward, she saw newborns die within minutes of birth because doctors had no system to judge which babies needed help first. So one morning in 1952, she grabbed a pen and paper and designed a five-point test measuring heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color. She called it the Apgar Score.

The idea spread faster than anyone expected. Within a decade, almost every hospital in America was using it. Infant mortality fell sharply. Doctors finally had a language for newborn care — and babies once thought lost were suddenly being saved.

Apgar never stopped pushing forward. She earned a public health degree, joined the March of Dimes, and became a global voice for mothers and infants. When asked how she had thrived in a man’s world, she laughed, “Women are like tea bags — they don’t know how strong they are until they’re in hot water.”

Dr. Virginia Apgar passed away in 1974, but her test still guides every delivery room on Earth. Every two seconds, somewhere in the world, a baby takes its first breath — and someone quietly calls out a number that honors the woman who refused to give up on newborns or on herself.

10/21/2025

Remember it’s best to “flu before boo” (which means get your flu vaccine before Halloween.)

10/15/2025

10/13/2025

As we get into the winter virus months (aka, sick with all the germs season), you'll hear the term "RSV" a lot.
What is RSV?
What are the symptoms?
What is the best way to prevent it? (hint - it's getting vaccinated!)
Learn more about RSV here: pafc.link/RSV-Information

10/10/2025

It’s that time of year again! Please help us vote for your favorite pumpkin 🎃

10/10/2025

Please join us in celebrating our very own breast cancer warrior. Our nurse practitioner Cinnamon fought hard and WON!

10/10/2025

10/07/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that multiple studies show that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of a women developing breast cancer. It is believed that hormonal changes, cell shedding, immune boosting properties and other protective lactation factors are the mechanism that reduce this risk. The risk reduction also increases with longer durations of breastfeeding. While breastfeeding reduces the risk, it does not provide complete protection from developing breast cancer. It is still important for women to have regular breast exams and mammograms.

10/06/2025

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250928/Nirsevimab-sharply-cuts-RSV-hospitalizations-in-US-infants-during-the-2024e280932025-season.aspx

In a nationwide EHR cohort of over 400,000 U.S. infants during the 2024–2025 RSV season, nirsevimab use was linked to a 77% lower risk of RSV-related hospitalization. The study also found reduced ICU admissions and intubations, supporting broad seasonal protection in routine care.

10/01/2025

Bama Pediatrics is now offering Beyfortus, the RSV antibody to all eligible patients.
Who is eligible?
-Any infant < 8 months and 0 days as of November 1.
-Any infant 8-19 months with significant heart or lung disease, or cystic fibrosis, is eligible to receive for this second season.
Give us a call to schedule your vaccine!
And check out this article from Healthy Children that explains RSV, and the vaccines, in simple terms.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx?_gl=1%2Agtzlwj%2A_ga%2AMzgyNjEyMzI0LjE3Mjg1ODA4MjU.%2A_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ%2AMTcyODU4MDgyNC4xLjAuMTcyODU4MDgyNC4wLjAuMA&fbclid=IwY2xjawNKL4pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvwouK2ow2hmI6mnq0wZWdfbY5GGYwA0Ay3m_X9Qf9MFGegyy56AYrum-FiE_aem_BDFtatHjwpXL2CqHwcCx7w

Almost all children get RSV at least once before they are 2 years old. For most healthy children, RSV is like a cold. But some children get very sick with RSV. Learn the symptoms and how to protect your child.