Kids First Podcast

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile recounts her birth experience and discusses preeclampsia.  She also wraps up the podcast as she sadly leaves Kids First Pediatric Partners to move out of state with her family

Is your child being bullied?  Do you think your child may be the school bully?  Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile discusses the different classifications of bullying and what types of behaviors a bully exhibits.  Karen also reviews how children and parents can address bullying to stop the behavior.  Resources for this podcast can be found at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/bullying https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bullies.html https://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/info-facts.asp https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Bullying-Its-Not-Ok.aspx

Pediatric depression is a relatively common psychiatric condition that can continue episodically into adulthood.  In this podcast episode PNP Karen Gentile talks with Dr. Denise Gardner, a licensed clinical psychologist, about pediatric depression.  The topics reviewed in this episode include: Bad mood vs. depression How depression develops Assessing risk and suicidality Can I prevent depression in my child? Can I help my child with depression? How therapy can help with depression Accepting the diagnosis of depression and reducing stigma

In this episode Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile discusses vaping.  The FDA has recently declared an epidemic number of pre-teens and teens vaping, similarly the CDC has released new data regarding a very serious and potentially deadly pulmonary disease that is directly linked to vaping and is affecting our youth. In this episode we discuss: What is vaping? What are the ingredients in the vape oil? Is it safe for youth? What is the severe pulmonary disease afflicting the country from vaping and could it affect our children? Current statistics on the disease What to do if your child is vaping Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0906-vaping-related-illness.html https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/vaporizers-e-cigarettes-and-other-electronic-nico

Do you think your child may have ADHD? In our most recent podcast, Pediatric NP Karen Gentile sits down with psychology intern Edessa Mirzapolos to discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD.  Edessa discusses how this disorder presents in the young child as well as how it is diagnosed.  We review the current treatment options and also explain ways in which parents and teachers can help their child live with and adapt to ADHD throughout their lives.  As a therapy intern Edessa also reviews the benefits of behavioral therapy for treating ADHD. Resources:  o   Taking Charge of ADHD, Revised Edition: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley, Ph.D. o   Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare.  o   The Whole-Brain CHILD by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson o   The Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder organization also has a useful website (www.chadd.org)

Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile is joined today with special guest Carly Lapin, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and our very own Medical Assistant Patsy Sotelo!  Patsy's son has ASD and she shares her own personal journey with the diagnosis and Carly helps Patsy with some of the challenging issues she faces daily.  In this episode we discuss: What is Autism Why does it happen/what causes it? Symptoms Typical age at diagnosis Patsy’s personal experience with her son’s diagnosis Potty training a child with ASD Positive reinforcement techniques Sleep training a child with ASD Food selectivity in a child with ASD Advice for parents with a new diagnosis Carly can be found at Carly@theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com https://theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com (847) 970-0748

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile reviews the risks of early sun damage and the rising incidence of skin cancer in adolescents and young adults.  To learn how to protect our kids from sun damage, Karen reviews the differences in sunscreen types and their ingredients, and the proper application procedures to ensure the best protection for our children. Resources: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/prevent/how-to-select-a-sunscreen https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html https://www.ascopost.com/issues/november-10-2015/why-melanoma-rates-are-increasing-in-adolescents-and-young-adults-especially-among-females/

If you've raised a toddler you know how difficult it can be navigating their mood swings, temper tantrums, and temperaments.  Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile sits down with Pediatrician Cathy DiVincenzo, MD to discuss discipline techniques.  Dr. DiVincenzo has 20 years of experience as a Pediatrician and also raised triplets!  She often lectures on the topic of discipline in our community and offers expert advice on how to tackle this difficult stage in parenting.  In this episode we discuss time-outs, time-ins, spanking, redirecting, speaking to your children, and the best techniques to avoid the dreaded public meltdown!  Resources: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Disciplining-Your-Child.aspx Books: Toddler 411, by Denise Fields and Ari Brown, MD Happiest Toddler on the Block, by Harvey Karp, MD Parenting with Love and Logic, by Foster Cline, MD and Jim Fay 1-2-3 Magic: 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective, and Happy Parenting, b

On this special episode, Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile is joined by Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Denise Gardner, PhD to discuss anxiety in children.  The topics we touch upon include: The difference between every day stress and clinical anxiety The prevalence of anxiety in children How anxiety develops Common co-occurring disorders such as depression, ADHD, eating disorders Common emotional and physical manifestations of anxiety Preventing anxiety How parents can help the child manage anxiety When should we consider seeking therapy for my child How can therapy help my child   Parents interested in scheduling therapy with Dr. Gardner or learning more about PCPA can find this information on http://www.pcpachicago.com Additional resources: - Book recommendation: What to do when you worry too much (Huebner; ages 6-12; workbook for parents and children) - Apps - Head Space, Calm, Breathe2Relax - Websites: Anxiety Disorders Association of America (adaa.org)  

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile reviews developmental milestones for each new stage of your child's growth starting at 2 months through ages 5 years of life.  Learn what to expect your child should be doing with social/emotional development, language/communication development, cognitive development, and physical development.  Karen reviews when you should talk to your Pediatrician or Nurse Practitioner if your child is not meeting certain milestones Resources:  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html https://brightfutures.aap.org/Bright%20Futures%20Documents/BF4_POCKETGUIDE.pdf

Previously recorded in 2018: Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease has been very prevalent in our community this year so Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jean Russo discuss this common virus also known as the coxsackie virus.  The following topics are discussed in this episode: Differences between Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease vs. Herpangina- both of which are caused by the Coxsackie Virus Signs and symptoms of the Coxsackie Virus What age group does it affect? Clinical presentation Incubation period When are children contagious? How is Coxsackie Virus transmitted? How can we prevent Coxsackie Virus? When can children can return to school Sequelae of coxsackie virus- peeling of the hands and feet, nail matrix arrest Complications of the virus-> Dehydration Adequate pain control & hydration as the treatment method Can sometimes affect adults More information can be found at:  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Hand-Foot-and-Mouth-Disease.aspx

Special guest Dr. Karina Gobin, a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist, joins Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile to discuss our children's immune system!  In this episode we will cover: How many illnesses are expected per year/month When do we need to worry about fever When should we consider an immune deficiency Why we get fevers after vaccinations How to "boost" the immune systems and whether vitamins are recommended Special precautions to protect our newborns fragile immune system, especially when considering travel Dr. Gobin can be found at Allergy, Sinus, & Asthma Professionals www.asapillinois.com  

In this short pediatric pearl episode, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile discusses the recent recall of the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper and how to get a refund if you own the product.  Additionally Karen reviews the recent journal article in the May 2019 publication of Pediatrics that discussed recent findings on sleep-related infant suffocation deaths.  Karen will summarize how to keep your newborn baby safe while sleeping and how to prevent sudden infant death syndrome and suffocation.  

Dr. Karina Gobin, a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist, joins Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile to talk about food and drug allergies.  In this episode Dr. Gobin discusses some of the signs and symptoms of food allergies, the age of presentation, and how food allergy testing is performed.  Dr. Gobin reviews the most common allergic foods and how food allergies are managed.  In the 2nd half of the episode we discuss drug allergies: the signs and symptoms of a drug allergy, if testing for drug allergies is a possibility, and how we manage drug allergies.   Dr. Gobin can be found at Allergy, Sinus, & Asthma Professionals www.asapillinois.com

In this episode Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile discusses safe forms of exercise for children and how the AAP views weight training.  Exercise safety and observing for red flags are also discussed.   Resource: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/Pages/Types-of-Exercise.aspx

Dr. Karina Gobin, a Board Certified Allergist and Immunologist, joins Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile to talk about environmental allergies.  In this episode she discusses the difference between indoor and outdoor allergies and when to expect each of these to strike.  The presenting symptoms of environmental allergies are reviewed and here's a hint...it's itchy!  We review when allergy testing should be considered and how allergy testing is performed.  Dr. Gobin recommends over the counter antihistamine to trial as a first line treatment for seasonal allergies as well as other allergy control options.   You can find Dr. Gobin at www.asapillinois.com

In this episode Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile provides a quick pediatric pearl on how to hand the dreaded public tantrum!  Karen provides quick tips on how to handle the situation and create boundaries for future conflicts.     Resource: Toddler 411 and 123 Magic

Nurse Practitioners Karen Gentile and Jessica Fanucchi discuss one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children: constipation! In this episode we discuss the signs and symptoms of constipation, how to prevent constipation, and how we would go about treating it.  Tune in for tips and tricks on how to combat constipation using lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and behavioral techniques.  We discuss the various medications that may be recommended by your medical provider to assist with constipation or encopresis.     Resources: Video & Website: The Poo in You, https://www.gikids.org  

In our latest Pediatric Pearl podcast episode, Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile provides an update on the current status of the 2018-2019 Influenza Season in Illinois.  It's not too late to get your influenza vaccine as the virus is still widespread in the Chicago area. Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/influenza

Do you struggle getting your child to eat their fruits or vegetables? Does your child protest food until he gets what he or she wants? Will your child only eat carbs or "beige" foods? This is a common problem amongst kids of all ages but it can start as soon as we begin to introduce solid foods.  Listen to our latest podcast as Nurse Practitioner Karen Gentile and Registered Dietician Gia Diakakis discuss how to be PROactive in preventing a picky eater and how to address kids who are already picky.