COPC - Step by Step Pediatrics

03/11/2026

I have to share this link not only because it has really good information, but mainly because I LOVE the picture. If you feel like your child is flying around home and school on a skateboard like this, then check the link for more information.

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) find it unusually difficult to concentrate on tasks, to pay attention, to sit still, and to control impulsive behavior. This ADHD guide offers parents the information you need to understand the behaviors associated with the attention diso...

03/11/2026

A new study has shown that over half of American children are not getting enough sleep and only 25% of teens get the minimal 8 hours of sleep that is recommended. You may have heard me say to kids that "sleep is your friend," but over half of parents underestimate the amount of sleep their child needs. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has some helpful guidelines.
- Spend time in the sun or bright light in the morning, to jumpstart your body clock.
- Play or exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
- Cut caffeine after noon, including coffee, sodas, teas, energy drinks and snacks containing caffeine.
- Eat dinner at least two hours before bedtime.
- Set a wind-down ritual, including a device-free window for at least an hour prior to bedtime.
- Set a consistent sleep and wake schedule, including weekends.
- Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet.

Lack of sleep can lead to disruption of growth hormone release and a weakened immune system leading to more frequent illnesses. It can lead to difficulty with emotional regulation with increased irritability, mood swings, and tantrums. School children can have lowered attention span, poor memory, and difficulty learning or remembering information, lower academic performance and increased school absenteeism.
So sleep really is your friend, go spend some quality time with your friend.

03/06/2026

Weather is warming up and kids will be eager to get outside and play and ride bikes. However, we are concerned about a growing trend of E-bikes and injuries. A study presented at a meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that electronic bikes, also referred to as e-bikes, are zooming in popularity, but they’re also responsible for more children landing in an ER with injuries. The researchers analyzed data on nearly 340 bicycle-related accidents treated at a pediatric trauma between 2019 and 2023. Results showed that e-bike injuries rose from just 2% in 2017 to 64% in 2023. Researchers observed that children in e-bike accidents were three times more likely to sustain broken bones in their accidents. There are few laws regarding E-bikes, but the state of Hawaii does have laws that are a good framework. Check out the infographic for Hawaii's common sense laws. Ohio only has laws regarding Class 3 E-bikes that go 28mph.

02/25/2026

MEASLES.
The Columbus Health Department is investigating a measles outbreak in Franklin County. There are few details, as the investigation is ongoing. However, 6 children under the age of 5 have confirmed measles. 5 of the children were unvaccinated and 5 of the children have no history of recent travel. 3 or more cases are considered an outbreak. The health department is directly contacting families who may have been exposed , but there is good evidence that there has been community exposure.
We are recommending that any child who is eligible for a measles vaccine and has not yet received one, get vaccinated right away. If you are between the ages of 1yr and 4yrs and have had a MMR vaccine you are 90% protected. However, we would recommend boosting that to 98% with a second vaccine. This is not an extra shot and would count toward the 4 year old preschool vaccines that we give. It is considered as effective given early as given at 4 years. For children 6 months to 1 years old, you can consider getting a MMR vaccine early. However, it will not count toward your vaccine total and you will still need additional vaccinations at 1 year and at 4 years. We would recommend discussing with your doctor your risk of exposure and making that decision with them.
Remember, the ONLY way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine. The vaccine is safe and very effective. Measles is the most contagious virus on the planet. 9 out 10 unvaccinated children who are exposed will get measles. We will continue to update as more is known.

02/18/2026

The new AAP guidelines on media use and screen time are focusing less on limiting hours and more on choosing appropriate content. Screens are unavoidable and are a part of society. Make sure that what your kids are watching has value and is not just bad AI slop fever dreams. Also, review content creators on YouTube, Just because the video is about Minecraft does not mean it is appropriate.

02/17/2026

Come enjoy Columbus Metro Parks for a Frozen day of fun.

Come get outside and chill with us during this Frozen day of fun! It's free, just show up anytime from 1-3pm. ❄👸☃️🏰🦌

02/17/2026

It is never to early to start planning for summer time fun.

This Thursday, don't miss out on the Kidslinked.com Summer Camp and Class Expo! ⛺ Use this unique opportunity to find your summer camp or classes for your family early before they sell out! Meet the organizations offering the camps or classes, get information, demos, and more! Find more information at the link: https://buff.ly/k7iQRT2

02/13/2026

Development of language in infants and toddlers is not just speaking. Non-verbal language is a powerful way to communicate. Eye gaze, eye contact, facial expression, gestures. Think about how many times you knew exactly what your toddler was thinking without them saying a word. This form of language has milestones just like verbal language. Check the graphic to see the different gestures at different ages.

02/10/2026

Picky eaters are a common concern during well checks and can be frustrating to manage. Why do we see infants with baby led weaning chowing down on a pork chop and 3 year olds that get a majority of their nutrition from purees in pouches? A lot of it is due to the toddler drive for power and control. Saying "No!" is powerful and children know they have absolute control of what they eat. In general it gets better over time with patience and repeated exposures. Keep offering different foods with different tastes and textures. We focus on dinner time because it has the most variety. Let the kids be in charge of breakfast and lunch as long as it is reasonable (not chocolate cake and pop tarts all the time). However, at dinner time everyone gets the same meal. Once the dinner is on the table, your job is done. It is now up to the child to eat or not. Allow them to make the choice. It is best to not turn the dinner table into a battleground. However, if they choose not to eat, that choice has consequences. Now, they don't need to clean their plate, just 2 - 3 bites is a victory. If they don't do their 2 - 3 bites though, there is nothing else to eat for the rest of the night. If they do eat their 2 - 3 bites, then when everyone is having a small dessert or a snack, they can have some too. This is not a bribe. You do not dangle it out their before the meal. If they want to go back and finish their 3 bites, then they can join in the snack. It encourages them to make the choice, but there is no punishment if they choose not to eat. Most kids grow very well despite their picky eating. If you can average their diet over a week and they are doing OK , you are fine.

02/06/2026

You can't turn on a screen these days without seeing an add for Draft Kings, Fan Duel, or some other online gambling. These adds are targeted toward a younger audience and teens are uniquely susceptible to their messaging. Because their brains are still developing they are unable to anticipate the risks, are more likely to be impulsive, and feel that they have more control over the outcome than they really do. Monitor you teens online activity and have the conversation about the addictive nature of online gambling.

02/04/2026

Vitamin K - not one you think of, but it is vital for your blood to clot. Recently, clinicians are having an increasingly difficult time convincing new moms to get the Vitamin K shot at birth. In the past 2 years moms refusing Vitamin K has jumped to 5%.
All babies are born Vitamin K deficient and breast milk does not contain adequate Vitamin K. Without a shot of Vitamin K, infants can develop Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, what used to be called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. These children can have bloody stools, bleeding from their umbilical cord, and easy bruising. In the most severe cases babies can bleed into their brain, which can lead to brain damage and even death. About half of babies with vitamin K deficient bleeding will bleed into their brain. Infants who do not receive the vitamin K shot at birth can develop bleeding up to 6 months of age. Prevention is easy. One shot of Vitamin K prevents bleeding and there are no concerns about its safety.

02/04/2026

Ever wondered how math is used in healthcare? Central Ohio Primary Care's lab services were featured in the Doodles & Digits "How It's Math" series, which explores this connection in their latest video.

If you're a parent, you know how important it is to encourage children to explore their interests and future career paths. STEM education series, such as Doodle and Digits, help students see the "behind-the-scenes" real-world applications of math used in exciting careers in healthcare and beyond!

COPC was honored to help nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals through this series. Thank you, Doodles and Digits, for featuring our amazing lab team and the technology that helps us provide the best care for our patients across Central Ohio.

🎥 Watch here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q58Nv-_RpU&t=3s

Ever wonder what really happens after you get a blood test at the doctor’s office? In this behind-the-scenes look at a high-tech medical laboratory, you'll d...