Ellenton Pediatrics

03/14/2026

While it can be unsettling, a nosebleed usually goes away if you take the appropriate steps. Here’s what to do (and not do) if you get one.

03/14/2026

03/12/2026

A working memory deficit can affect kids both in and out of school. Here are some supportive strategies to help kids stay on track.

03/12/2026

Take-home message: Gilbert syndrome is a common, benign condition caused by reduced bilirubin conjugation. It is usually discovered incidentally, may cause intermittent mild jaundice during stress or fasting, and does not require treatment.

Gilbert syndrome is a harmless genetic condition in which the liver does not process bilirubin effectively, causing a buildup in the body. Excess bilirubin can cause jaundice, but there are no other known complications. It is not possible to prevent or treat the syndrome, but a healthful lifestyle c...

03/12/2026

We have FREE Autism Screenings coming up this month in Sarasota and Manatee County for children age birth to 5-years-old.

Saturday, March 14 from 9am-Noon at 350 Braden Ave
Friday, March 20 from 10am-1pm at 350 Braden Ave
Monday, March 23 from 4-7pm at 350 Braden Ave
Saturday, March 28 from 9am-noon at 350 Braden Ave
Monday, March 30 from 4-7pm at 4620 17th Street

Register here, or drop in: https://tinyurl.com/dhmdfzs7
Early identification opens the door to support, services, and hope.

03/12/2026

🏊‍♂️ Free Swimming Lessons for Kids!
Eligible Florida families can receive a FREE swimming lesson voucher for children age 4 and under.

✔️ Up to 200% Federal Poverty Level
✔️ 8 lessons with a certified instructor
⭐ Children with autism and active military families prioritized.

📅 Apply by March 20, 2026
📲 Scan the QR code or visit: FloridaHealth.gov/WaterSmart

🏊‍♀️ ¡Clases de natación GRATIS para niños!
Las familias elegibles en Florida pueden recibir un vale GRATIS para clases de natación para niños de 4 años o menos.

✔️ Hasta el 200% del nivel federal de pobreza
✔️ 8 clases con un instructor certificado
⭐ Prioridad para niños con autismo y familias militares activas.

📅 Solicite antes del 20 de Marzo de 2026
📲 Escanee el código QR o visite: FloridaHealth.gov/WaterSmart

03/12/2026

Dr. Alina and Dr. Cristian Chiritescu both trained at a Bronx hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, like the municipal hospital referenced in the article. When they began their residency in 1997, measles was already becoming a disease most physicians in training would never see. Thanks to widespread vaccination and strong public health programs, ongoing measles transmission in the United States was officially declared eliminated in 2000.
In our nearly three decades of clinical practice since then, neither of us has encountered a single case.
That reality shaped an entire generation of physicians. Measles had gone from a once-ubiquitous childhood infection to a disease we taught from textbooks rather than hospital wards—a public health success story that seemed secure. Yet recent outbreaks remind us that elimination does not mean eradication, and that the conditions that once allowed measles to spread can return when vaccination coverage declines.

Federal employees, Kennedy said, were promoting the “mass poisoning” of the American public. Then, in 2025, measles exploded, with more than 2,200 cases across 45 states.

03/11/2026

In a time when misinformation feels louder than ever and questions about children’s health swirl in every direction, pediatricians stand on the front lines — not just as clinicians, but as trusted guides for families. A recent New York Times article highlights how doctors across the country are spending valuable moments of well‑child visits gently steering through a sea of confusion about vaccines, doing everything they can to protect children from preventable diseases while honoring parents’ concerns — even when fear and misinformation make that job infinitely harder.
We see this every day in our practice: families who love their children deeply, seeking answers, reassurance, and clarity. And we see our role not as critics, but as partners — listening, educating, and advocating for evidence-based care that keeps our kids safe, because we know these decisions are deeply personal.
But when families choose not to vaccinate against core childhood diseases — after we’ve provided guidance and answered their questions — it puts everyone in our practice and our community at risk. For this reason, we cannot accept families who are not open to discussing the benefits of vaccines or who ultimately refuse them. Our commitment is to keep all children safe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/health/pediatricians-vaccines-cdc-kennedy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.3hs9.TmZCe2lorqg2&smid=nytcore-ios-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawQewQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0ekh6ZXZNVG9qcDNMblVXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr1i_jUyvBp3zFnw0TwdCbB-BhhOFJzgVu0CuqfAlgtEUCPI-2YxAJCFVgE5_aem__nOOAFZvMI6PblUqFkJkEA

Practitioners nationwide are striving to do what’s best for children’s health, while staying supportive in the face of mistrust and confusion.

03/11/2026

❤️❤️❤️ “Every stage of child development has gifts and challenges – please try to focus on the gifts. Toddler hugs and snuggles are beyond precious and seeing the world through their eyes of wonder and fascination is beyond beautiful.”

I often spend time with my grandchildren and it’s interesting to see how much toddlers haven’t changed. Getting in the car and getting shoes and socks on are still unpredictable ...

03/11/2026

Tania Johnson | March 5th, 2026 Why Co-Regulation Matters More Than Ever In today’s fast-paced world, many caregivers are thinking about how to help their

03/11/2026

:(

As of March 8, 2026, 1,321 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. this year. 143 of those cases were reported in the past week.

In 3 months, the U.S. has recorded more than half of the reported measles cases for ALL of 2025.

92% of these cases were unvaccinated against measles.

You have the power to protect your family. Two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles.

Source: https://commonhealthcoalition.org/resources/ -awareness-briefs

03/11/2026

A disappointing yet expected update: The FDA says there isn’t enough evidence to approve leucovorin as a treatment for autism. The drug was approved only for a rare genetic folate deficiency affecting very few patients. More research is still needed.

The prescription drug leucovorin is getting a label update, though it’s not what that the US Food and Drug Administration suggested might be coming during a White House briefing in September, when officials touted the drug as a potential treatment for thousands of children with autism.