Woods Mill Pediatrics of Washington University

10/07/2025

08/27/2025

Due in part to a high level of non-medical vaccine exemptions as well as decreased access in some rural areas, Missouri kindergarten vaccine rates have fallen below the immunity threshold that keeps a community safe from illness.

Missouri kindergarteners are less likely to enter classrooms vaccinated against measles. The trend is worrying public health experts.

07/09/2025

Mattel is introducing a Barbie doll with Type 1 Diabetes! She comes complete with a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump. The new doll is meant to help bring attention to children living with diabetes as the brand works to increase inclusion and diversity within their products.

Barbie is launching its first doll with Type 1 diabetes, the iconic toy brand announced Tuesday.

06/25/2025

It's hot out there! Stay safe.

05/28/2025

Parkway School District will be sponsoring free summer lunches for kids under the age of 18.

05/28/2025

Yesterday, HHS announced that the COVID vaccine would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The pediatric community was surprised and concerned by the announcement. Read the statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The removal of the COVID vaccine from the immunization schedule bypasses evidence-based processes necessary to ensure vaccine safety, ignores the expertise of independent medical experts and could have long-term implications on the availability to families and health care workers. This adds only further confusion for parents and pediatricians. What is clear is that pregnant women, infants and young children are at higher risk of hospitalization from COVID, and the safety of the COVID vaccine has been widely demonstrated. Read more from Dr. Sean O’Leary, AAP Chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases: https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/32325?autologincheck=redirected

05/25/2025

As graduation season winds down, we want to congratulate all of our patients who are now high school and college grads. We know that you will go on to do great things. In the words of Kermit the Frog “Keep believing, keep pretending. You’ve all done just what you set out to do. And you’re just getting started.’”

Kermit the Frog urged University of Maryland graduates to appreciate the people around you because they are what makes life worth living.

05/23/2025

A government panel is targeting ultraprocessed foods, the childhood vaccine schedule and pesticides as the reasons behind a rise in childhood chronic illness. The administration, does not have a plan to address these concerns at this time, but expects to announce one soon.

Poor diet, environmental toxins, unhealthy habits and pharmaceuticals are contributing to a national rise in chronic illnesses, particularly among children, top Trump officials said in a Thursday report that lays the groundwork for a ‘Make America Healthy Again’ overhaul of government policy.

05/21/2025

The FDA announced plans to approve the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for all individuals 65 and older and only for younger individuals with risk factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics is concerned that this will take away the choice of families who desire the vaccine to protect their child.

Children may not have access to COVID-19 vaccines this fall unless they have underlying health conditions.

05/14/2025

Yesterday, the FDA announced moves to ban the use of fluoride supplements. Pediatricians often prescribe fluoride for children in areas that do not have access to fluoridated water. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend the use of fluoride and state the benefits to children of avoiding tooth decay. Fluoride, in the levels it is generally used has been well established to be very safe.

The agency is taking steps to remove prescription fluoride treatments that children swallow.

05/09/2025

There are currently three confirmed cases of measles in MO. There are not currently any cases linked to an exposure at the Aquarium on April 30, but since the measles incubation period is 10-12 days, we wouldn't necessarily expect to see those cases yet. The MO department of public health is working to contact individuals who visited the aquarium during the exposure window.
The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective in preventing the disease. If you are worried your child may have been exposed to measles, or has contracted the illness, please contact the office.

Measles