Sandy Springs Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC

09/23/2025

🎂Celebrated Mr. Courtney yesterday... and every day! Thank you for being an amazing caretaker to our patients and a wonderful teammate to our work fam for the 20+ years you've dedicated yourself to our practice. Happy birthday to you! 🎵🥳

🫶Know that we appreciate you!!

https://bit.ly/SSPeds

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09/19/2025

🥳Happy birthday month to Dr. Vanna Jackson and physician advocate, Theresa!

Have a great weekend everyone!

https://bit.ly/SSPeds

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09/16/2025

🚨 exposure alert in Fulton County
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated Fulton County resident with potential exposures Sept 2–11, 2025 at multiple metro-ATL locations. The patient is no longer infectious, but exposed people could still develop illness.

🦠Why this matters
• Measles is extremely contagious—virus particles can linger in the air up to 2 hours after a sick person leaves. In a susceptible group, up to 9 in 10 unvaccinated close contacts may become ill.
• Typical incubation: 7–14 days (can be up to 21). Watch for fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, then a spreading rash; tiny Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth.

🚫What this means for the unvaccinated
• Highest risk of infection and complications.
• If you were at a listed exposure site (list provided in link below) or think you were exposed, contact your doctor or pediatrician immediately about post-exposure options:
– MMR vaccine within 72 hours of first exposure, or
– Immune globulin within 6 days (for infants, pregnant people without immunity, or the immunocompromised).

💉What about people who are vaccinated?
• Two MMR doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles. Breakthrough infections are uncommon; when they occur, they’re often milder and less likely to spread than cases in the unvaccinated.

How to protect your family (and our community)
✅ Check MMR status for every family member (kids need 2 doses; most adults born in/after 1957 need at least 1). Ask your pediatrician or internist if you’re unsure.
✅ Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after your last possible exposure (for exposures through Sept 11, watch through Oct 2, 2025). Stay home and call your doctor before walking into a clinic or ER if symptoms start.
✅ Isolate if sick and follow your clinician’s guidance.
✅ Travel soon? Make sure vaccinations are up to date. Request a travel consultation with our travel clinic for your little ones if they are traveling with you.

For a full list of location exposure and times, please visit our link below: 🔗https://bit.ly/MeaslesMyths_Demystify

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09/11/2025

🇺🇸Today is a day of remembrance - and can be tough for some parents to navigate conversations with their children about what happened this day, 24 years ago. There's no one-size fits all, but here is some guidance we hope is helpful for families:

Ground rules (for any age):
• Start by asking what they’ve heard; correct gently with simple facts. 🗣️
• Share calm, age-appropriate info; avoid graphic details and limit media exposure. 📺🚫
• Reassure safety (who keeps us safe), keep routines, and invite questions over time. 🛡️⏰
• Validate feelings; there’s no “right” way to feel. 💛

Ages 3–6 (preschool/early school):
Keep it simple: “Something very sad happened a long time ago. Helpers kept people safe, and many people care for us now.” Focus on safety, helpers, and love. 👮‍♀️👩‍⚕️

Ages 7–10 (elementary):
Offer brief facts, where/when it happened, and what changed to keep people safer (airports, first responders). Invite questions; check in again later. 🗺️ 👩‍🚒

Ages 11–13 (middle school):
Acknowledge mixed feelings; practice media literacy (talk about reliable sources), and discuss healthy coping (talking, drawing, movement, community). 📚📵🏃‍♂️

Ages 14–18 (teens):
Invite deeper conversation - history, civic empathy, and how to honor others through service. Encourage breaks from distressing content and peer-support that’s kind and factual. 🕯️🤝 🎓

When to check in with us or a therapist:
If worries persist >2–4 weeks, or you notice nightmares, school avoidance, big behavior changes, or physical complaints without a cause - reach out. We’ll help you plan next steps. 🩺 💬

Today and always, we remember - the lives lost, the heroes who served, and the communities that came together. 🗽🇺🇸

We're here for you when you need us.
https://bit.ly/SSPeds

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Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children

09/10/2025

"Dr. Robertson ... very kind and thorough." 🩺✨
Our pediatric team makes care straightforward—and gets you to the right specialist when it’s needed.

💡 New to the area or switching practices? We’re accepting patients.

📞To schedule an appointment with one of our Board-Certified pediatricians, call our office at (404) 252-4611 or conveniently request a visit via our ‘Contact Us’ form at the bottom of our homepage.

https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics

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09/05/2025

👶💨Whooping cough (pertussis) is on the radar this Fall 🤧🍂. The American Academy of Pediatrics has flagged a possible new wave as cases remain elevated nationally vs. pre-pandemic lows. Infants are at highest risk because coughing fits can make it hard to breathe.💉🛡️

When kids usually get DTaP (at routine well visits):

2 months • 4 months • 6 months
15–18 months (booster)
4–6 years (booster before school)
11–12 years: a related booster called Tdap (for preteens/teens)

If your child is due (or you’re not sure), we’re happy to check and get you scheduled. 🩺
📞 (404) 252-4611

📣Please Note: Pregnant patients are also recommended to receive Tdap during each pregnancy to help protect newborns.

https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics

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Providing best-in-class Pediatric care from infancy to young adulthood; 5 Board-Certified MDs.

09/03/2025

🍂We may not have officially entered the Fall season, but Fall allergy season has already begun here in Atlanta 🤧. Ragweed, mold, and other seasonal triggers are already in the air — and kids often feel it first with runny noses, itchy eyes, and coughs. Here’s how to prepare your family now so symptoms don’t get in the way of school and play! 🏫✨

✅ Parent Checklist:

1- Check pollen counts daily 🌼
Use Pollen.com or local weather apps before planning outdoor activities.

2- Keep windows closed 🚪
Especially in early mornings when pollen levels peak. Run air conditioning instead, if able.

3- Change clothes after outdoor play 👕
Pollen sticks to clothing, hair, and skin — a quick rinse or change reduces indoor exposure.

4- Shower before bed 🛁
Helps wash away allergens so kids don’t bring pollen into their pillows.

5- Wash bedding weekly in hot water 🛏️
Prevents buildup of pollen, dust, and mold spores.

6- Use a HEPA filter 🌬️
A small room purifier can make a big difference for nighttime breathing.

7- Talk to your pediatrician 🩺
If your child has recurring allergy symptoms, ask about safe over-the-counter options or whether prescription relief is needed.

8- Know the difference between allergies and a cold 🤔
Allergies usually mean clear runny nose + itchy eyes; colds bring thicker mucus, fever, and fatigue.

Symptoms messing with school or sleep?
🩺 We can help. Call us at ➡️ (404) 252-4611 or conveniently request an appointment via our 'Contact Us' page at the bottom of our homepage.

https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics

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08/28/2025

🎒👂 Back-to-school = earaches on the rise. Curious what’s causing them, if they’re contagious, and when to book a sick visit? Tap for the 2-minute parent guide 👇

🔗https://bit.ly/EarInfections_ParentGuide

📞To schedule an appointment with one of our Board-Certified pediatricians, call our office at (404) 252-4611 or conveniently request a visit via our ‘Contact Us’ form at the bottom of our homepage.

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08/26/2025

🦟 Mosquitoes love summer, but WE don’t love the bites! Here’s what to know to keep kids safe:

Prevention tips:

-Use child-safe repellents 🧴 (DEET or picaridin are effective)
-Dress kids in long sleeves & pants in the evening 👕👖
-Dump standing water around your home 🚫💧
-Keep screens closed & fans running 🪟

When it’s usually OK:

-Small, itchy bumps are normal and can be treated with cool compresses ❄️, anti-itch creams, or oral antihistamines (if recommended).

When to call the pediatrician:

-Bites that swell excessively or get red, warm, or painful
-Signs of allergic reaction (hives, swelling of lips/eyes, trouble breathing) 🚨
-Fever, rash, or unusual fatigue after a bite

When an infectious disease specialist may help:

-Concerns after travel ✈️
-Persistent fever or illness after mosquito exposure (West Nile Virus, rare but possible)
-Complex reactions or repeated infections

👩‍⚕️ Bottom line: Most bites are harmless, but parents know when something feels “off.” Trust your instincts and call your pediatrician first—they’ll know when to loop in a specialist if needed.

📞To schedule an appointment with one of our Board-Certified pediatricians or infectious disease specialists, call our office at (404) 252-4611 or conveniently request a visit via our ‘Contact Us’ form at the bottom of our homepage.

https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics

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08/19/2025

🦠 What is Infectious Disease?
It’s the specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites—especially the complex cases.

That’s why we are so blessed to have Dr. Steven L. Shore 🩺, a nationally respected Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, right here at Sandy Springs Pediatrics. 🌟

👨‍⚕️ With decades of experience—from serving as Chief of the Cellular Immunology Lab at the CDC to founding the Infectious Diseases Division at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta—Dr. Shore is the doctor other pediatricians trust, often referring their most challenging cases to him.

✨ His insight, compassion, and reputation in the community make him a rare gem in pediatric medicine.

👉 We’re proud to say Dr. Shore is accepting new patients. If your child’s illness feels like more than “just a bug,” you’ll have one of the best in the field on your side. 💙 (404) 252-4611

https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics

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08/15/2025

✨ As we head into the weekend, here’s something we talk about with new parents every single week… feeding your baby. 🍼 Whether you’re nursing, pumping, formula feeding, or mixing it up, the goal is the same: a healthy, thriving baby and a supported, confident parent. 💙

At Sandy Springs Pediatrics, we know every feeding journey is different. That’s why we offer:
✔️ Prenatal & postpartum feeding guidance
✔️ Resources for pumping, formula, or combo feeding
✔️ Lactation consultant referrals
✔️ Support when medical or emotional challenges come up

💗 Why it matters:
* For babies: Breast milk offers ideal nutrition, immune support, and can lower certain health risks.
* For moms: It can aid postpartum recovery, reduce some cancer risks, and deepen bonding.

We share more in our latest article:
➡️ https://bit.ly/BreastfeedingMonth_August 💖

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