Dearborn Pediatrics

11/22/2025

How Your Family Can Fight Hunger Close to Home

Fall and winter are a time we celebrate bounty. But for millions of kids living in the U.S., there isn't plenty to go around, especially at mealtime. Consider that:

1 in 5 children in the U.S. don't get enough to eat on a regular basis.

Hunger can harm a child's growth and worsen risks of illnesses including asthma and anemia.

Grades and test scores can drop, dimming a child's motivation and chance for future school success.

Who goes hungry in America?
It's easy to assume that food insecurity—when people don't have steady access to enough food—does not happen in all cities, towns or parts of the country. But the anti-hunger nonprofit Feeding America reports that 100% of U.S. counties have residents who regularly go hungry, including almost 14 million kids.

Children might not get enough to eat when:
Parents lose their jobs or earn too little to cover grocery costs

Losses like death, divorce or separation cause sudden income loss

Natural disasters like wildfires or hurricanes destroy homes, schools and stores

School is out during summertime, school breaks and severe weather conditions

Rising costs for rent, utility, child care and more slice into the food budget

Government programs provide lower benefits or families don't qualify

We can't ignore discrimination as a factor in childhood hunger. Studies show that Latino and Black families face higher risks for food insecurity than people from other races and ethnic groups.

Childhood hunger: how your family can make a difference
Fighting hunger is a huge task. But every family with enough to eat can consider helping other neighbors who may need a hand.

Sometimes it's as simple as remembering just how close we are to experiencing hunger. Almost half of U.S. adults say they couldn't cover a $1,000 emergency expense, showing how a single problem could lead to hunger.

Giving to others feeds us, too.
Volunteering time and resources, inviting a friend to join for dinner, donating food to important local organizations can feed both the body and spirit. It supports your child's emotional health which, over time, makes a positive difference in their total well-being. Kids who are active in their community tend to do better in school and find it easier to stay out of trouble, for example. They're also less likely to experience depression.

Taking action to fight hunger fosters kindness and serves as a reminder that food connects us. It's a way to engage, show care, deepen friendships and express belonging.

Ways to get involved in your community
Looking out for friends, family and neighbors is a good start. Here are more suggestions for fighting hunger in your area while nourishing a sense of community.

Food drives
Local chapters of the Salvation Army and other nonprofits regularly call for donations of non-perishable foods like rice, pasta, canned fish or meats, beans, vegetables and fruits. Grocery stores, schools, and other groups host food drives too. Ask your child to help clear out the pantry and fill a few bags to drop off. You might even let them pick a favorite food at the store that another child might enjoy eating.

Community kitchens
Many families spend a few hours each month cooking and serving meals for others. It's a great way to sharpen your child's kitchen skills while they learn about giving back. During the holidays, community centers need more help than ever, offering many chances to get involved.

Garden-and-give programs
Whether you grow tomatoes in pots or harvest bushels of vegetables and fruits from local farms, a gift of garden-fresh produce fuels your community's health. Fresh foods can be hard for food pantries and kitchens to get, so these donations are especially welcome.

Raising money or volunteering
Many communities have drop-in centers where low-income residents can receive free groceries. Your child might enjoy raising money to pay food bank staff, buy equipment and keep shelves stocked. Kids and teens can collect donations from friends and neighbors, run online campaigns through fundraising platforms or ask family members for gifts. Seeing how donations add up and sharing them with anti-hunger charities can be exciting and rewarding.

Food banks and other local anti-hunger programs also welcome volunteers. Families can donate time to sort and package food, for example, or help tend community gardens that help stock shelves.

Advocating for change
Families can also help fight hunger by raising awareness. Partner with advocacy groups like the Food Research & Action Center to support policies that make healthy food more accessible. Older kids can write letters to legislators or opinion pieces for local media.

Consider taking the SNAP Challenge to better understand what families who receive food assistance face. Ask your kids to help fill a grocery cart using the average SNAP benefit. It’s a great way to practice math—and an even better way to teach empathy.

Here are more ways your family can get involved in anti-hunger programs.

Pair giving with learning that offers new perspectives
While you're exploring ways to help families that need food, talk with your child about why this issue matters. Shape the conversation around their age and stage of development. No Kid Hungry, an ongoing campaign to end childhood hunger, offers these suggestions.

Ages 4 to 6
Address any worries your child might feel. "It's okay to feel sad about kids going hungry. I feel that way, too." Use words and ideas they can easily grasp. For example, ask them about the tired, cranky feelings they may have when they're hungry. This can help them see why all children need healthy food to feel and do their best.

Ages 7 to 12
Elementary school kids may know a little about hunger. Ask if they have discussed it in school or seen examples in books, movies or shows. This can open the door to a broader conversation. Explain the idea of stigma, which means a mark of shame we might mistakenly make people feel. Use an example, such as a child who gets free lunch but worries that other kids will judge them. Pointing out that all of us need help sometimes can encourage empathy and respect.

Ages 13+
Encourage teens to consider all sides of the subject. Young people are often passionate about solving the social injustices they see. Help your teen harness that energy by discussing the underlying causes, possible solutions and leading or participating in angi-hunger efforts. Admit you don't know everything, but you want to explore what might make a healthy difference where you live—and around the world.

10/31/2025

Wishing all our little ghosts and goblins a fantastic Halloween!🎃

08/24/2025

AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits

Parents know who they should go to when their child is sick. But pediatrician visits are just as important for healthy children.

The Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed a set of comprehensive health guidelines for well-child care, known as the "periodicity schedule." It is a schedule of screenings and assessments recommended at each well-child visit from infancy through adolescence.

Schedule of well-child visits
The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)
1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
12 months old
15 months old
18 months old
2 years old (24 months)
2 ½ years old (30 months)
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old
6 years old
7 years old
8 years old
9 years old
10 years old
11 years old
12 years old
13 years old
14 years old
15 years old
16 years old
17 years old
18 years old
19 years old
20 years old
21 years old
The benefits of well-child visits
Prevention. Your child gets scheduled immunizations to prevent illness. You also can ask your pediatrician about nutrition and safety in the home and at school.

Tracking growth & development. See how much your child has grown in the time since your last visit, and talk with your doctor about your child's development. You can discuss your child's milestones, social behaviors and learning.

Raising any concerns. Make a list of topics you want to talk about with your child's pediatrician such as development, behavior, sleep, eating or getting along with other family members. Bring your top three to five questions or concerns with you to talk with your pediatrician at the start of the visit.

Team approach. Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships among pediatrician, parent and child. The AAP recommends well-child visits as a way for pediatricians and parents to serve the needs of children. This team approach helps develop optimal physical, mental and social health of a child.

08/24/2025

Back to School, Back to the Doctor: How Annual Checkups Support Your Child’s Health

No matter what grade your child is entering this fall, there's probably a lot to do before the first day rolls around. Here's why a thorough health checkup and sports physical should be on your back-to-school checklist.

Why regular check-ups matter
Seeing the doctor at least once a year helps create an accurate, up-to-date record of your child's growth and development. For some healthy kids, back-to-school could be the only time they visit the pediatrician. That makes this checkup even more essential.

Summer physicals help your child's doctor spot new health issues such as a recent injury, food allergy or difficulties with sleep. Regular screenings to check your child's vision, hearing, balance, breathing, heart function and more can identify health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening.

At the back-to-school check-up, your pediatrician can also ask about mental or emotional issues that, if left untreated, could make life and school much harder for your child. They can offer guidance on building healthy habits and routines, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep and a family media plan, so that your child can be healthy and ready to learn and thrive in school.

How immunizations protect your child, family & community
All 50 states require children and teens to get certain vaccines before starting school. These regulations help keep serious diseases such as whooping cough, polio, smallpox and others from harming your child and sickening others, including your family.

The vast majority of parents vaccinate their children, and that means illnesses are less likely to spread in their children's schools. When all children are able to access immunizations, we can create healthier schools for everyone.

AAP policy explained: school immunization requirements
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children have vaccines as required by the laws of their state. Strong immunization laws support healthy school environments, safe spaces where children can learn, grow and thrive.

Immunizations are one of the most important steps we can take to protect kids in the classroom. Following the AAP recommended vaccine schedule ensures that by the time your child is old enough to start kindergarten, their immune system will be ready to resist 16 diseases. This helps them stay ahead of germs so they can avoid getting sick and missing school. Vaccines keep their school friends, families and communities healthy, too. When more school kids have immunity, it’s harder for dangerous contagious diseases to spread.

Sometimes, a child might have a medical reason why they should skip one or more shot. Medical exemptions might be temporary or permanent, based on the child and their condition. (See "AAP Reaffirms Stance on Non-Medical Exemptions to School Entry Immunization Requirements.")

06/21/2025

All About the Recommended Immunization Schedules:
​​Top disease experts—including pediatricians—work together throughout the year to update the Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger.

The schedule is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics and based on ongoing review of the most recent scientific data for each of the recommended vaccines and other immunizations.
To be included in the recommended schedule, the vaccines must be licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.

The schedule also recommends the age when children and teens should receive each vaccine or immunization.

Following this schedule gives children the best protection from diseases.
If you have questions about vaccines, don't hesitate to ask your Provider!
They know your child's health history and can talk with you about specific vaccines

05/31/2025

5 Reasons to Enroll Your Children in Swim Lessons
Click here to insert a picture from SharePoint.
Learning to swim can provide your child a lifelong source of fun and fitness. It also adds a layer of drowning prevention when they're around water.

Here are some of many reasons to enroll your child in swim lessons. Also learn when kids are ready, how to find quality lessons, and why you may want to consider signing up, too!

1. Swimming can be fun!
Children of all ages are often enthralled by water. Whether kids jump in, splash at the surface, or toss in objects to watch them float and sink, water endlessly fascinates t them. Learning to swim is one way to engage your child with water and allow them to safely experience the joy that water has to offer.

2. Swim lessons promote water safety
Each year, many young children and teens lose their lives by drowning. Children are naturally drawn to water. And if they do not know how to swim, they can easily get into trouble. The leading reason that children drown is that they wander and encounter a pool or other body of water while unsupervised. Making sure that children know how to swim is a layer of protection to prevent drowning. Swim instruction includes lessons in water safety that even very young children can learn.

3. Swimming is great exercise.
Daily physical activity is important for all children. Swimming is a low-impact way to gain strength and endurance while having fun. Children of all fitness levels and abilities can enjoy time in the pool. Becoming comfortable in the water is a great way to build the idea that fitness is fun. Early and regular swimming can lay the foundation for a healthy level of activity and lifelong enjoyment as an adult.

4. Swim lessons promote healthy development.
Swimming can support a child's healthy mental development, endurance and strength, general coordination and balance. Children of nearly any age, background, size and physical ability can learn to swim. Swimming allows children of all levels of ability to get outdoors and be active while socializing with their peers. Skills learned in swimming can translate to other sports as well, including building the confidence to try other physical activities.

5. Learning to swim can build self-confidence
Children love to say, "I can do it!" Competence is the ability to accomplish a task well. Competence can lead to self-confidence. As children grow, challenges such as learning to swim help children to develop the confidence to persevere in difficult tasks. In swim class, a child can learn that something difficult can be accomplished over time. Developing competence is a vital step in gaining the independence that children will eventually need to transition into adulthood.

Benefits of swim lessons for kids with autism or ADHD
Children with neurological differences can benefit greatly from learning to swim. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher risk of drowning, possibly because children with ASD tend to wander.

Swim lessons not only help keep children with ASD safe but may improve their motor skills (such as running, catching and balancing) and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise in general improves social skills and reduces certain behaviors (such as rocking and spinning) in children with ASD. Research also suggests that as little as 12 weeks of swim lessons improved school performance and behavior in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Parent FAQs about swim lessons
Is my child ready for swim lessons?
Most children are ready for swim lessons by the time they are 4 years old. Children younger than that can participate in classes that allow a parent or caregiver and child to be in the water together with an instructor. This is a great way to create comfort in the water and build swim readiness skills. Infants can also enjoy a fun time in the water with their caregiver; however, they can't yet raise their heads out of the water well enough to breathe.

How can I find a swim program?
The Red Cross offers swim lessons throughout the country. The YMCA also has swim programs, as do private organizations. You can find swim programs by using the search box called "Find a School" on the US Swim School's website. There also may be low-cost or free swim programs available in your community. Check your local city, village, or town hall for information about swim programs.

What if I never learned how to swim?
When your child is ready to swim, it is a great time to learn if you do not know how to swim. Sometimes parents who are not able to swim avoid the water. This can prevent your child from learning to enjoy water activities but also can put your child at risk.

The AAP suggests that families provide layers of protection around children, to keep them safe in the water. For example, one layer of protection is teaching a child to swim. Another layer is a caregiver who is confident in the water.

Preventing young children, even those who do know how to swim, from getting into water when it is not time to swim helps as well. Teaching teens to be safe around water by avoiding alcohol and risky behavior is another example.

If you haven't yet learned to swim, sharing the challenge of learning to swim as a family can be a great bonding experience.

Remember
Learning to swim, like learning to ride a bike, can be a rite of passage for children. Those who learn to swim as children can draw on that young experience forever. Learning to swim provides the opportunity for lifelong fun, fitness, and feeling confident (and safe) around the water.

05/30/2025

Fluoride For Children:
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and makes your child's teeth stronger. Fluoride can be found in drinking water, food and beverages, toothpaste, mouth rinses and dental treatments such as fluoride varnish.

Here are some common questions you may have about how fluoride helps keep your child's teeth healthy.

Why do children need fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that can slow or stop cavities from forming. We all have bacteria in our mouth that combines with sugars from food and drinks to make acid. The acid harms the outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel. Fluoride protects teeth from being damaged by the acid and helps rebuild tooth enamel.

That is why many communities add fluoride to the tap water. Children should drink plenty of water and brush with toothpaste that has fluoride in it.

Is fluoride in drinking water safe for my children?
Yes. America has been preventing tooth decay with fluoridated water for over 80 years.

05/08/2025

Important: ADHD Medication Review and Evaluation
Dear Parents,
A Provider visit is now required to evaluate or continue ADHD medications every six (6) months.
This visit is necessary to assess the effectiveness of your child's current medication regimen, monitor side effects, and ensure we are optimizing our treatment plan.
Refills will not be issued without an onsite evaluation/appointment every six (6) months.
Dearborn Pediatrics Providers

03/22/2025

Parents! Please note these changes!

03/06/2025

SPORTS PHYSICALS

The Michigan High School Athletic Association requires an up-to-date sports physical for all students who will participate in athletics during the school year. Most fall sports start practice before the school year begins and will require sports physical. We recommend scheduling the appointment now before the last-minute rush.

03/02/2025

How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak
Recent measles outbreaks have many families concerned. Most of the people who have gotten sick were not vaccinated against measles. This is a stark reminder of the importance of making sure your children are fully vaccinated.

Here are answers to questions that many parents have about measles outbreaks.

I thought measles was a mild illness, so why the alarm now?
Measles was once a common childhood disease and almost an expected part of growing up. While most children recovered from the measles without problems, many others did not. In some children, the infection caused pneumonia and in a few, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and even death. Of every 1,000 people who got measles, 1 to 2 would die.

Before the measles vaccine was available, every year an average of 450 people died from measles; most of them were previously healthy children.

Thanks to the success of the measles vaccine, we are now able to protect children from the measles. However, in recent years some parents have refused or delayed vaccinating their children out of fear or misinformation about the safety of the measles vaccine. This means there are more unvaccinated children, teens and adults in our communities.

U.S. measles outbreaks
There have been at least 3 measles outbreaks reported in the United States in 2025. This includes one in Texas, where an unvaccinated school-age child has died from measles.

Choosing to not vaccinate your children not only leaves them susceptible to measles, but also exposes other children to measles. This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and those who are unable to be vaccinated due to other health conditions. (See "Should children who have not had a measles vaccine go to school during an outbreak?")
How is measles spread?
The measles virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs and someone nearby inhales the infected droplets. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of an infected person.

How long can the measles virus live on surfaces?
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known. The virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air where infected people have coughed or sneezed, or on surfaces they may have touched. As a result, anyone in crowded, public spaces may come into contact with measles.

What are the signs & symptoms of measles?
The most recognizable measles symptom is a very high fever accompanied by a red or brownish blotchy rash, although this is not the only symptom., although this is not the only symptom.

Before the rash appears, children with measles develop cold-like symptoms, including:

Cough

Runny nose

Fever

Red, watery eyes

These symptoms tend to get worse during the first 1 to 3 days of the illness.

When do children need to get the measles vaccine?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend children receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at age 12-15 months, and again at 4-6 years. Children can receive the second dose earlier if it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

There is a combination vaccine called MMRV that contains both chickenpox and MMR vaccines. MMRV is an option for some children 12 months through 12 years of age.

What if my baby is too young for the measles vaccine?
High immunization rates in a community protects those who are too young to be vaccinated, including infants under 12 months of age. These infants are at the highest risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death due to measles. Find information on vaccines for infants age 6-12 months old during an outbreak or before international travel to a location with an active measles outbreak.

Is the measles vaccine safe?
Yes. Occasional side effects of the measles vaccine include fever, tenderness at the injection site and rash. Rare side effects include a temporary decrease in blood platelets. The measles vaccine does not cause autism. Getting the measles vaccine is much safer than getting the measles infection.

01/11/2025

MDHHS warns Michigan residents about increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases
November 04, 2024

https://youtu.be/DB70izafC1Y

Families of young children urged to get up to date with immunizations

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is calling attention to an increase in cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, and urging individuals to get up to date with vaccinations. Case numbers across the state surpassed last year’s reports and are coinciding with a return to pre-pandemic patterns of more cases per year nationally.

Between 2017 and 2019, Michigan averaged 596 cases of pertussis each year. There have already been 830 confirmed or probable cases reported to MDHHS this year as of Oct. 28.

Early symptoms of pertussis can look like a common cold. It can take five to 10 days for symptoms to appear after exposure and sometimes longer. Babies and young children may not cough, but they may have pauses in their breathing (called apnea), which can make their skin look bluish or cause shortness of breath. Later symptoms can consist of uncontrolled coughing fits.

Pertussis is common in the United States. The acute infectious disease can cause serious illness in people of all ages, is more likely to be severe and possibly deadly for infants. The median age of pertussis cases in 2024 is 13 years and 75% of these cases have been in people under the age of 18.

“Vaccinations continue to be our top line of defense against the spread of pertussis,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With a declining rate of immunizations, we are unfortunately seeing a rise in pertussis and other vaccine preventable diseases statewide. We encourage all Michiganders to stay up to date with their immunization schedule.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends pertussis vaccine for infants, children, adolescents and people who are pregnant. CDC also recommends a dose of pertussis vaccine for adults who haven’t received a dose as an adolescent or adult.

Michigan is continuing to see declining childhood immunization rates, meaning more infants and children are at risk for severe pertussis illnesses. In Michigan, 82.9% of children have received their first dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine by the time they are three months old. However, only 65.6% of 19-month-olds received all four recommended doses for DTaP.

For more information on pertussis, visit the CDC’s website and follow the CDC for information on pertussis cases and outbreaks or Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Michigan.

Pertussis is a serious contagious disease caused by a bacterium. It can produce a whooping cough. It is most severe and extremely dangerous in young infants...