About G6PD

G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. This deficiency can cause hemolytic anemia, usually after exposure to certain medications, foods, or even infections.

Most people with G6PD deficiency don't have any symptoms, while others develop symptoms of anemia only after RBCs have been destroyed, a condition called hemolysis. In these cases, the symptoms disappear once the cause, or trigger, is removed. In rare cases, G6PD deficiency leads to chronic anemia.

With the right precautions, a child with G6PD deficiency can lead a healthy and active life.

About G6PD Deficiency

G6PD is one of many enzymes that help the body process carbohydrates and turn them into energy. G6PD also protects red blood cells from potentially harmful byproducts that can accumulate when a person takes certain medications or when the body is fighting an infection.

In people with G6PD deficiency, either the RBCs do not make enough G6PD or what is produced cannot properly function. Without enough G6PD to protect them, RBCs can be damaged or destroyed. Hemolytic anemia occurs when the bone marrow (the soft, spongy part of the bone that produces new blood cells) cannot compensate for this destruction by increasing its production of RBCs.

Causes of G6PD Deficiency

G6PD deficiency is passed along in genes from one or both parents to a child. The gene responsible for this deficiency is on the X chromosome.

G6PD deficiency is most common in African-American males. Many African-American females are carriers of G6PD deficiency, meaning they can pass the gene for the deficiency to their children but do not have symptoms; only a few are actually affected by G6PD deficiency.

People of Mediterranean heritage, including Italians, Greeks, Arabs, and Sephardic Jews, also are commonly affected. The severity of G6PD deficiency varies among these groups — it tends to be milder in African-Americans and more severe in people of Mediterranean descent.

Why does G6PD deficiency occur more often in certain groups of people? It is known that Africa and the Mediterranean basin are high-risk areas for the infectious disease malaria. Researchers have found evidence that the parasite that causes this disease does not survive well in G6PD-deficient cells. So they believe that the deficiency may have developed as a protection against malaria.

G6PD Deficiency Symptom Triggers

Kids with G6PD deficiency typically do not show any symptoms of the disorder until their red blood cells are exposed to certain triggers, which can be:

• illness, such as bacterial and viral infections
• certain painkillers and fever-reducing drugs
• certain antibiotics (especially those that have "sulf" in their names)
• certain antimalarial drugs (especially those that have "quine" in their names)

Some kids with G6PD deficiency can tolerate the medications in small amounts; others cannot take them at all. Check with your doctor for more specific instructions, as well as a complete list of medications that could pose a problem for a child with G6PD deficiency.

Other substances can be harmful to kids with this condition when consumed — or even touched — such as fava beans and naphthalene (a chemical found in mothballs and moth crystals). Mothballs can be particularly harmful if a child accidentally swallows one, so ANY contact should be avoided.

Symptoms of G6PD Deficiency

A child with G6PD deficiency who is exposed to a medication or infection that triggers the destruction of RBCs may have no symptoms at all. In more serious cases, a child may exhibit symptoms of anemia (also known as a hemolytic crisis), including:

• paleness (in darker-skinned children paleness is sometimes best seen in the mouth, especially on the lips or tongue)
• extreme tiredness
• rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, particularly in newborns
• an enlarged spleen
• dark, tea-colored urine

Once the trigger is removed or resolved, the symptoms of G6PD deficiency usually disappear fairly quickly, typically within a few weeks.

If symptoms are mild, no medical treatment is usually needed. As the body naturally makes new red blood cells, the anemia will improve. If symptoms are more severe, a child may need to be hospitalized for supportive medical care.

Diagnosing and Treating G6PD Deficiency

In most cases, cases of G6PD deficiency go undiagnosed until a child develops symptoms. If doctors suspect G6PD deficiency, blood tests usually are done to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other possible causes of the anemia.

If you feel that your child may be at risk because of either a family history or your ethnic background, talk to your doctor about performing a screening with blood tests to check for G6PD deficiency.

Treating the symptoms associated with G6PD deficiency is usually as simple as removing the trigger — that is, treating the illness or infection or stopping the use of a certain drug. However, a child with severe anemia may require treatment in the hospital to receive oxygen, fluids, and, if needed, a transfusion of healthy blood cells. In rare cases, the deficiency can lead to other more serious health problems.

Caring for Your Child

The best way to care for a child with G6PD deficiency is to limit exposure to the triggers of its symptoms. With the proper precautions, G6PD deficiency should not keep your child from living a healthy, active life.

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Kids & Casts

Kids who need a cast often have plenty of questions. Here are answers to some frequent inquiries about casts.

What are the different kinds of casts?

A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.
These days, casts are made of either:

• plaster of paris: a heavy white powder that forms a thick paste that hardens quickly when mixed with water. Plaster of paris casts are heavier than fiberglass casts and don't hold up as well in water.
• synthetic (fiberglass) material: made out of fiberglass, a kind of moldable plastic, these casts come in many bright colors and are lighter and cooler. The covering (fiberglass) on synthetic casts is water-resistant, but the padding underneath is not. You can, however, get a waterproof liner. The doctor putting on the cast will decide whether a fiberglass cast with a waterproof lining is appropriate.

How is a cast put on?

First, several layers of soft cotton are wrapped around the injured area. Next, the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water. The doctor wraps the plaster or fiberglass around the soft first layer. The outer layer is wet but will dry to a hard, protective covering. Doctors sometimes make tiny cuts in the sides of a cast to allow room for swelling.

Can plaster of paris casts get wet?

Absolutely not! A wet cast may not hold the bone in place because the cast could start to dissolve in the water and could irritate the skin underneath it, possibly leading to infection. So your child shouldn't swim and should use a plastic bag or special sleeve (available online or sometimes at pharmacies) to protect the cast from water. And instead of a shower, your child may need to take a sponge bath.

Can synthetic (fiberglass) casts get wet?

Although the fiberglass itself is waterproof, the padding inside a fiberglass cast is not. So it's still important to try to keep a fiberglass cast from getting wet. If this is a problem, talk to the doctor about getting a waterproof liner. Fiberglass casts with waterproof liners let kids continue bathing or even go swimming during the healing process. Although the liner allows for evaporation of water and sweat, it's still fragile. Also, only certain types of breaks can be treated with this type of cast. Your doctor will determine if the fracture may be safely treated with a waterproof cast.

Is it OK to have people sign and draw on my child's cast?

Definitely! That often makes the whole broken bone experience more bearable for kids. Permanent markers usually work best; washable ones can smear. Feel free to encourage siblings, family members, and classmates to sign it, draw pictures on it, or decorate it with stickers. The doctor might even let your child keep the adorned cast as a souvenir.

What if my child has an itch in the cast?

Try blowing some air in the cast with a hair dryer — be sure to use the cool setting, though. And you should never pour baby powder or oils in the cast to try to relieve itching or try to reach the itch with long, pointed object such as a pencil or hanger — these could scratch or irritate your child's skin and can lead to an infection.

What if the cast gets a crack?

This can happen if the cast is hit or crushed, has a weak spot, or if the injured area begins to swell underneath. Call your doctor as soon as you notice a crack. In most cases, a simple repair can be done to the cast without needing to remove it or change it.

What if the cast causes my child's fingers or toes to turn white, purple, or blue, or if the skin around the edges of the cast gets red or raw?

The cast may be too tight. Redness and rawness are typically signs that the cast is wet inside, from sweat or water. Sometimes, kids pick at or remove the padding from the edges of fiberglass casts. They shouldn't do this, though, because the fiberglass edges can rub on the skin and cause irritation. Call your doctor to have the problem fixed right away.

Why aren't some types of broken bones put in casts right away?

Some kinds of fractures don't need casts to heal. Certain fractures of larger long bones, such as the femur (thighbone), are hard to keep straight in a cast. Although doctors used to commonly put many of these kinds of fractures in traction (a way of gently pulling the bone straight), these days, surgery is often used instead.

Do all broken bones need casts?

It's not practical to cast ribs and collarbones (clavicles). Even displaced collarbones (in which pieces on either side of the break are out of line) heal well with a sling or special strap called a "figure-of-eight clavicle strap," which the child wears like a vest. Some non-displaced finger and toe fractures (in which the pieces on either side of the break line up) that don't involve the joint or the growing part of a child's bone (called the growth plate) may heal well with a splint or buddy taping (taping the injured digit to the adjacent unaffected finger or toe).

Will my child feel pain when the broken bone is in a cast?

Some pain is expected for the first few days, but it's usually not severe. The doctor may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease pain.

How are casts taken off?

The doctor will use a small electrical saw to remove the cast. Although it may look and sound scary to your child, the process is actually quick and painless. The saw's blade isn't sharp — it has a dull, round blade that vibrates up and down. The vibration is strong enough to break apart the fiberglass or plaster, but shouldn't hurt your child's skin and may even tickle.

What will the injured area look and feel like when the cast is removed?

Once the cast is off, the injured area will probably look and feel pretty weird to your child: The skin will be pale, dry, or flaky; hair will look darker; and the area (muscles especially) will look smaller or weaker. Don't worry, though — this is all temporary. And depending on the type and location of the fracture, the doctor may also give your child special exercises to do to get the muscles around the broken bone back in working order.

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."

Be on the lookout for my new highly anticipated book; “Don’t Let the 4 Wheels F.O.O.L. You”!!!If you have ever felt as though society has counted you out! You won’t want to miss this inspirational road map to success!

Children and Fevers

You've probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one's forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Call the doctor?
In healthy kids, fevers usually don't indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child's temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it's often the body's way of fighting infections. And not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, however, can make a child uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration.
Here's more about fevers, how to measure and treat them, and when to call your doctor.

Fever Facts

Fever occurs when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.

Most people's body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It's usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.

Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will "reset" the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body's way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them.

Causes of Fever

It's important to remember that fever by itself is not an illness — it's usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Fever has a few potential causes:
Infection: Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms.
Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they're overbundled or in a hot environment because they don't regulate their body temperature as well as older kids. However, because fevers in newborns can indicate a serious infection, even infants who are overdressed must be evaluated by a doctor if they have a fever.
Immunizations: Babies and kids sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated.
Although teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, it's probably not the cause if a child's temperature is higher than 100° F (37.8° C).

When Fever Is a Sign of Something Serious

In the past, doctors advised treating a fever on the basis of temperature alone. But now they recommend considering both the temperature and a child's overall condition.

Kids whose temperatures are lower than 102° F (38.9° C) often don't require medication unless they're uncomfortable. There's one important exception to this rule: If you have an infant 3 months or younger with a rectal temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher, call your doctor or go to the emergency department immediately. Even a slight fever can be a sign of a potentially serious infection in very young infants.

If your child is between 3 months and 3 years old and has a fever of 102.2° F (39° C) or higher, call your doctor to see if he or she needs to see your child. For older kids, take behavior and activity level into account. Watching how your child behaves will give you a pretty good idea of whether a minor illness is the cause or if your child should be seen by a doctor.
The illness is probably not serious if your child:

• is still interested in playing
• is eating and drinking well
• is alert and smiling at you
• has a normal skin color
• looks well when his or her temperature comes down

And don't worry too much about a child with a fever who doesn't want to eat. This is very common with infections that cause fever. For kids who still drink and urinate normally, not eating as much as usual is OK.

Is it a Fever?

A gentle kiss on the forehead or a hand placed lightly on the skin is often enough to give you a hint that your child has a fever. However, this method of taking a temperature (called tactile temperature) is dependent on the person doing the feeling and doesn't give an accurate measure of temperature.
Use a reliable thermometer to confirm a fever (which is when a child's temperature is at or above one of these levels):

• 100.4° F (38° C) measured rectally (in the bottom)
• 99.5° F (37.5° C) measured orally (in the mouth)
• 99° F (37.2° C) measured in an axillary position (under the arm)

But how high a fever is doesn't tell you much about how sick your child is. A simple cold or other viral infection can sometimes cause a rather high fever (in the 102°-104° F / 38.9°-40° C range), but this doesn't usually indicate a serious problem. And serious infections might cause no fever or even an abnormally low body temperature, especially in infants.

Because fevers can rise and fall, a child might have chills as the body tries to generate additional heat as its temperature begins to rise. The child may sweat as the body releases extra heat when the temperature starts to drop.

Sometimes kids with a fever breathe faster than usual and may have a higher heart rate. You should call the doctor if your child is having difficulty breathing, is breathing faster than normal, or continues to breathe fast after the fever comes down.

Types of Thermometers

Whatever thermometer you choose, be sure you know how to use it correctly to get an accurate reading. Keep and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for any thermometer.
Digital thermometers usually provide the quickest, most accurate readings. They come in many sizes and shapes and are available at most supermarkets and pharmacies in a range of prices. You should read the manufacturer's instructions to determine what the thermometer is designed for and how it signals that the reading is complete. Overall, digital thermometers usually can be used for these temperature-taking methods:

• oral (in the mouth)
• rectal (in the bottom)
• axillary (under the arm)

Turn on the thermometer and make sure the screen is clear of any old readings. Digital thermometers usually have a plastic, flexible probe with a temperature sensor at the tip and an easy-to-read digital display on the opposite end. If your thermometer uses disposable plastic sleeves or covers, put one on according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remember to discard the sleeve after each use and to clean the thermometer according to the manufacturer's instructions before putting it back in its case.
Electronic ear thermometers measure the tympanic temperature — the temperature inside the ear canal. Although they're quick and easy to use in older babies and kids, they aren't as accurate as digital thermometers for infants 3 months or younger and are more expensive.
Plastic strip thermometers (small plastic strips that you press against the forehead) may be able to tell you whether your child has a fever, but aren't reliable for taking an exact measurement, especially in infants and very young children. If you need to know your child's exact temperature, plastic strip thermometers are not the way to go.
Forehead thermometers also may be able to tell you if your child has a fever, but are not as accurate as oral or rectal digital thermometers.
Pacifier thermometers may seem convenient, but again, their readings are less reliable than rectal temperatures and shouldn't be used in infants younger than 3 months. They also require kids to keep the pacifier in their mouth for several minutes without moving, which is a nearly impossible task for most babies and toddlers.
Glass mercury thermometers were once common, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now says they should not be used because of concerns about possible exposure to mercury, which is an environmental toxin. (If you still have a mercury thermometer, do not simply throw it in the trash where the mercury can leak out. Talk to your doctor or your local health department about how and where to dispose of a mercury thermometer.)

Tips for Taking Temperatures

As any parent knows, taking a squirming child's temperature can be challenging. But it's one of the most important tools doctors have to determine if a child has an illness or infection. The best method will depend on a child's age and temperament.

For kids younger than 3 months, you'll get the most reliable reading by using a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature. Electronic ear thermometers aren't recommended for infants younger than 3 months because their ear canals are usually too small.

For kids between 3 months to 4 years old, you can use a digital thermometer to take a rectal temperature or an electronic ear thermometer to take the temperature inside the ear canal. You could also use a digital thermometer to take an axillary temperature, although this is a less accurate method.

For kids 4 years or older, you can usually use a digital thermometer to take an oral temperature if your child will cooperate. However, kids who have frequent coughs or are breathing through their mouths because of stuffy noses might not be able to keep their mouths closed long enough for an accurate oral reading. In these cases, you can use the tympanic method (with an electronic ear thermometer) or axillary method (with a digital thermometer).

To take a rectal temperature: Before becoming parents, most people cringe at the thought of taking a rectal temperature. But don't worry — it's a simple process:

1. Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a lubricant, such as petroleum jelly.
2. Place your child:
   - belly-down across your lap or on a firm, flat surface and keep your palm along the lower back
   - or face-up with legs bent toward the chest with your hand against the back of the thighs
3. With your other hand, insert the lubricated thermometer into the anal opening about ½ inch to 1 inch (about 1.25 to 2.5 centimeters). Stop if you feel any resistance.
4. Steady the thermometer between your second and third fingers as you cup your hand against your baby's bottom. Soothe your child and speak quietly as you hold the thermometer in place.
5. Wait until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or other signal that the temperature is ready to be read. Write down the number on the screen, noting the time of day that you took the reading.

To take an oral temperature: This process is easy in an older, cooperative child.

1. Wait 20 to 30 minutes after your child finishes eating or drinking to take an oral temperature, and make sure there's no gum or candy in your child's mouth.
2. Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and ask your child to close his or her lips around it. Remind your child not to bite down or talk, and to relax and breathe normally through the nose.
3. Wait until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or other signal that the temperature is ready to be read. Write down the number on the screen, noting the time of day that you took the reading.

To take an axillary temperature: This is a convenient way to take a child's temperature. Although not as accurate as a rectal or oral temperature in a cooperative child, some parents prefer to take an axillary temperature, especially for kids who can't hold a thermometer in their mouths.

1. Remove your child's shirt and undershirt, and place the thermometer under an armpit (it must be touching skin only, not clothing).
2. Fold your child's arm across the chest to hold the thermometer in place.
3. Wait until you hear the appropriate number of beeps or other signal that the temperature is ready to be read. Write down the number on the screen, noting the time of day that you took the reading.

Whatever method you choose, keep these additional tips in mind:

• Never take a child's temperature right after a bath or if he or she has been bundled tightly for a while — this can affect the temperature reading.
• Never leave a child unattended while taking a temperature.

Helping Kids Feel Better

Again, not all fevers need to be treated. And in most cases, a fever should be treated only if it's causing a child discomfort.
Here are ways to alleviate symptoms that often accompany a fever:

• If your child is fussy or appears uncomfortable, you can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen based on the package recommendations for age or weight. (Unless instructed by a doctor, never give aspirin to a child due to its association with Reye syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.) If you don't know the recommended dose or your child is younger than 2 years old, call the doctor to find out how much to give.
  
  Infants under 2 months old should not be given any medication for fever without being evaluated by a doctor. If your child has any medical problems, check with the doctor to see which medication is best to use. Remember that fever medication will usually temporarily bring a temperature down, but won't return it to normal — and it won't treat the underlying reason for the fever.
• Giving a sponge bath can make your child more comfortable and help bring the fever down. Use only lukewarm water; cool water may cause shivering, which actually raises body temperature. Never use alcohol (it can cause poisoning when absorbed through the skin) or ice packs/cold baths (they can cause chills that may raise body temperature).
• Dress your child in lightweight clothing and cover with a light sheet or blanket. Overdressing and overbundling can prevent body heat from escaping and can cause a temperature to rise.
• Make sure your child's bedroom is a comfortable temperature — not too hot or too cold.
• Offer plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration — a fever will cause a child to lose fluids more rapidly. Water, soup, ice pops, and flavored gelatin are all good choices. Avoid drinks containing caffeine, including colas and tea, because they can cause increased urination.
• If your child also is vomiting and/or has diarrhea, ask the doctor if you should give an electrolyte (rehydration) solution made especially for kids. You can find these solutions at drugstores and supermarkets. Don't offer sports drinks — they're not designed for younger children, and the added sugars may make diarrhea worse. Also, limit your child's intake of fruits and apple juice.
• In general, let your child eat what he or she wants (in reasonable amounts) but don't force eating if your child doesn't feel like it.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Staying in bed all day isn't necessary, but a sick child should take it easy.
• It's best to keep a child with a fever home from school or childcare. Most doctors feel that it's safe to return when the temperature has been normal for 24 hours.

When to Call the Doctor

The exact temperature that should trigger a call to the doctor depends on the age of the child, the illness, and whether there are other symptoms with the fever.
Call your doctor if you have an:

• infant younger than 3 months old with a temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher
• older child with a temperature of higher than 102.2° F (39° C)

Call the doctor if an older child has a fever of less than 102.2° F (39° C) but also:

• refuses fluids or seems too ill to drink adequately
• has persistent diarrhea or repeated vomiting
• has any signs of dehydration (urinating less than usual, not having tears when crying, less alert and less active than usual)
• has a specific complaint (e.g., sore throat or earache)
• still has a fever after 24 hours (in kids younger than 2 years) or 72 hours (in kids 2 years or older)
• has recurrent fevers, even if they only last a few hours each night
• has a chronic medical problem such as heart disease, cancer, lupus, or sickle cell anemia
• has a rash
• has pain with urination

Seek emergency care if your child shows any of these signs:

• inconsolable crying
• extreme irritability
• lethargy and difficulty waking
• rash or purple spots that look like bruises on the skin (that were not there before the child got sick)
• blue lips, tongue, or nails
• infant's soft spot on the head seems to be bulging outward or sunken inwards
• stiff neck
• severe headache
• limpness or refusal to move
• difficulty breathing that doesn't get better when the nose is cleared
• leaning forward and drooling
• seizure
• abdominal pain

Also, ask your doctor for his or her specific guidelines on when to call about a fever.

Fever: A Common Part of Childhood

All kids get fevers, and in the majority of cases, most are completely back to normal within a few days. For older infants and kids (but not necessarily for infants younger than 3 months), the way they act is far more important than the reading on your thermometer. Everyone gets cranky when they have a fever. This is normal and should be expected.

But if you're ever in doubt about what to do or what a fever might mean, or if your child is acting ill in a way that concerns you even if there's no fever, always call your doctor for advice.

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."

Be on the lookout for my new highly anticipated book; “Don’t Let the 4 Wheels F.O.O.L. You”!!!If you have ever felt as though society has counted you out! You won’t want to miss this inspirational road map to success!

The Concussion

The term concussion conjures up the image of someone knocked unconscious while playing sports. But concussions — temporary loss of brain function — can happen with any head injury, often without any loss of consciousness.

A concussion is also known as a mild traumatic brain injury. Although we usually hear about head injuries in athletes, many occur off the playing field in car and bicycle accidents, in fights, and even minor falls.

Kids who sustain concussions usually recover within a week or two without lasting health problems by following certain precautions and taking a breather from sports.

But a child with an undiagnosed concussion can be at risk for brain damage and even disability.
Anyone who sustains a head injury should stop participating and be removed from the activity or sport. Even without a loss of consciousness, it's important to watch for symptoms of a concussion.
Common initial symptoms include:

• a change in level of alertness
• extreme sleepiness
• a bad headache
• confusion
• repeated vomiting
• seizure

Someone with these symptoms should be taken to the emergency room.

About Concussions

The brain is made of soft tissue and is cushioned by spinal fluid. It is encased in the hard, protective skull. The brain can move around inside the skull and even bang against it. If the brain does bang against the skull — for example, due to a fall on a sidewalk or a whiplash-type of injury — it can be bruised, blood vessels can be torn, and the nerves inside the brain can be injured. These injuries can lead to a concussion.

Many different systems have been used to grade or describe concussions. The severity of a concussion is determined by how long signs and symptoms last and so can only be known after someone has recovered. The longer the symptoms of changes in brain function, the more severe the concussion.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Someone with a concussion may lose consciousness, but this doesn't happen in every case. In fact, a brief loss of consciousness or "blacking out" isn't a factor in determining concussion severity.
Other signs of a concussion include:

• headache
• sleepiness or difficulty falling asleep
• feeling confused and dazed
• difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
• dizziness
• difficulty with coordination or balance (such as being able to catch a ball or other easy tasks)
• trouble remembering things, such as what happened right before or after the injury
• blurred vision
• slurred speech or saying things that don't make sense
• nausea and vomiting
• feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason

Concussion symptoms may not appear initially and can develop over the first 24-72 hours. Anyone showing any of these signs should be seen by a doctor. Young kids can have the same concussion symptoms as older kids and adults, but changes in mood and behavior may be more subtle.
Call an ambulance or go to the ER right away if, after a head injury, your child:

• can't be awakened
• has one pupil — the dark part of the eye — that's larger than the other
• has convulsions or seizures
• has slurred speech
• seems to be getting more confused, restless, or agitated

Though most kids recover quickly from concussions, some symptoms — including memory loss, headaches, and problems with concentration — may linger for several weeks or months. Nearly 15% of kids age 5 and older have symptoms and/or changes in functioning lasting 3 months or longer. It's important to watch for these symptoms and contact your doctor if they persist.

Diagnosis

If a concussion is suspected, the doctor will ask about how the head injury happened, when, and its symptoms. The doctor also may ask basic questions to gauge your child's consciousness, memory, and concentration ("Who are you?"/"Where are you?"/"What day is it?").

The diagnosis of a concussion is made by health care provider based on history and physical exam. The doctor will perform a thorough examination of the nervous system, including testing balance, coordination, nerve function, and reflexes.

Sometimes a doctor may order a CT scan of the brain (a detailed brain X-ray) or an MRI (a non-X-ray brain image) to rule out bleeding or other serious brain injury. Concussions can change the way the brain works, but in most cases, imaging tests will show normal results.

Treatment

If the concussion is not serious enough to require hospitalization, the doctor will provide instructions on how to take care of your child at home. The doctor may have you wake your child up at least once during the night.

If your child cannot be easily awakened, becomes increasingly confused, or has other symptoms (such as continued vomiting), it may mean there is a more serious problem that requires contacting the doctor again.

The primary treatments for a concussion include both physical and mental rest. While your child has symptoms, he or she should not:

• attend school or have a normal workload
• take any high-stakes testing (for example, state testing, PSATs, SATs, etc.)
• participate in physical activity including gym class, recess, and sports
• participate in wheel activities (for example, biking, rollerblading, scootering, or skateboarding)
• drive or operate heavy machinery
• return to work

After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. Recovery time will depend on how long the symptoms last. It's very important for kids to wait until all symptoms have ended before resuming normal activities. Physical symptoms, balance and coordination, and thinking and personality all should return to the pre-injury level.

Be sure to get the OK from the doctor before your child resumes sports or other physical activities. Sometimes kids feel better even though their thinking, behavior, and/or balance have not yet returned to normal. Even if your child pleads that he or she feels fine or a competitive coach or school official urges you to go against medical instructions, it's essential to wait until the doctor has given the OK.
Healthy kids can usually resume their normal activities within a few weeks, but each situation is different. The doctor will monitor your child closely to ensure that recovery is going well and might recommend acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other aspirin-free medications for headaches.

Even mild concussions require a player to sit out for the remainder of the game. People are much more likely to sustain a concussion if they've had one previously. And evidence shows that repeated concussions can result in lasting brain damage, even when the injuries occur months or years apart.
Kids who have resumed normal activities and no longer have symptoms might be allowed to slowly return to sports. This is a gradual process that can take anywhere from a few days to weeks. A person should never return to play or other strenuous activities on the same day of the injury and should see a doctor.

Preventing Concussions

All kids should wear properly fitting, appropriate headgear and safety equipment when biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing contact sports. Safety gear has been shown to reduce the occurrence of severe head trauma.

Childproofing your home will go a long way toward keeping an infant or toddler safe from concussions and other injuries. Babies reach, grasp, roll, sit, and eventually crawl, pull up, "cruise" along furniture, and walk. Toddlers may pull themselves up using table legs; they'll use bureaus and dressers as jungle gyms; they'll reach for whatever they can see.

All of these activities can result in a head injury that leads to a concussion. Be sure your child has a safe place to play and explore, and never leave a baby or toddler unattended.

The time you spend taking these safety precautions — and getting your kids into the habit of abiding by your safety rules and regulations — will help keep your family safe and sound!

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."

Be on the lookout for my new highly anticipated book; “Don’t Let the 4 Wheels F.O.O.L. You”!!! If you have ever felt as though society has counted you out! You won’t want to miss this inspirational road map to success!

Canker Sore Education

About 1 in 5 people regularly gets bothersome canker sores, which can make eating, drinking, and even brushing teeth a real pain. But just because they're relatively common doesn't mean these small open sores inside the mouth should be ignored.

About Canker Sores

Also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are small sores that can occur inside the mouth, cheeks, lips, throat, or sometimes on the tongue. But don't confuse canker sores with cold sores or fever blisters, which are sores that are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are found outside the mouth around the lips, on the cheeks or chin, or inside the nostrils. Whereas cold sores are contagious, canker sores are not contagious — so kissing cannot spread them.

Although canker sores aren't contagious, the tendency to have outbreaks of canker sores can run in a family. If you're prone to canker sores, your child has a 90% chance of getting them as well.
Although no one knows exactly what causes canker sores, many factors are thought to put a person at risk. Diet may be a factor. People who have nutritional deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron seem to develop canker sores more often, as do people who have food allergies. Canker sores may also indicate that a person has an immune system problem.

Mouth injuries, such as biting the inside of your lip or even brushing too hard and damaging the delicate lining inside the mouth, also seem to bring on canker sores. Even emotional stress seems to be a factor. One study of college students showed that they had more canker sores during stressful periods, such as around exam time, than they did during less stressful times, such as summer break.
Although anyone can get them, young people in their teens and early twenties seem to get them most often, and women are twice as likely to develop them as men. Some girls and women find that they get canker sores at the start of their menstrual periods.

Signs and Symptoms

Canker sores usually appear as painful, red spots that can be up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across, although most of them are much smaller. Sometimes the area will tingle or burn before a spot actually appears. Once it does, the canker sore may swell and burst in about a day. The open sore may then have a white or yellowish coating over it as well as a red "halo" around it. Most often, canker sores pop up alone, but they can also occur in small clusters.

Although uncommon, canker sores can be accompanied by such symptoms as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a lethargic or slightly ill feeling.

It takes about 2 weeks for canker sores to heal. During this time, the sores can be painful, although the first 3 to 4 days are usually the worst.

If your child develops canker sores that last longer than 2 weeks or is unable to eat or drink because of the pain, contact your doctor. Also call the doctor if the sores appear more than two or three times a year.

Diagnosis

If your child has recurrent canker sores, the doctor may want to perform tests to look for possible nutritional deficiencies (which can be corrected with dietary changes or using prescription vitamin supplements), immune system deficiencies, and food or other allergies.

Treatment

Often, canker sores can be easily treated with over-the-counter or even home remedies. Carbamide peroxide is a combination of peroxide and glycerin that cleans out the sore while coating it to protect the wound.

Many over-the-counter remedies have benzocaine, menthol, and eucalyptol in them. These may sting at first and need to be applied repeatedly, but they can reduce pain and shorten the duration of the sore.

You can also have your child rinse his or her mouth with a homemade solution for about a minute, four times a day, as needed. It's extremely important to remember, though, that these rinses should not be swallowed, so they shouldn't be used in kids too young to understand not to swallow.
You can try these rinse recipes:

• 2 ounces (59 milliliters) of hydrogen peroxide and 2 ounces (59 milliliters) of water
• 4 ounces (118 milliliters) of water mixed with 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of salt and 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of baking soda

Another option to help reduce discomfort and speed healing is dabbing a mixture of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide directly on the sore, followed by a bit of milk of magnesia.

Some doctors suggest applying wet black tea bags to the sore. Black tea contains tannin, an astringent that can help relieve pain. You can also get tannin in over-the-counter medications. Ask the pharmacist for more information.

If the doctor prescribes a medicine that should be applied directly to the canker sore, first dry the area with a tissue. Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of the medication. Finally, have your child avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes to make sure that the medicine isn't immediately washed away and has time to work.

In some cases of severe mouth sores, the doctor may prescribe immunosuppressive drugs or mouth rinses or gels that contain steroids.

Caring for Your Child

Help make canker sores less painful and prevent them from recurring by encouraging your child to:

• avoid eating abrasive foods, such as potato chips and nuts, which can irritate gums and other delicate mouth tissues
• try brushing and rinsing with toothpastes and mouthwashes that do not contain SLS
• use only soft-bristle toothbrushes and be careful not to brush too hard
• avoid any foods he or she is allergic to
• avoid spicy, salty, and acidic foods (such as lemons and tomatoes), which can aggravate tender mouth sores

Although they can certainly be a pain, in most cases, canker sores aren't a huge problem. Many people have learned to deal with them — and your child can, too.

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."

Be on the lookout for my new highly anticipated book; “Don’t Let the 4 Wheels F.O.O.L. You”!!!  If you have ever felt as though society has counted you out!  You won’t want to miss this inspirational road map to success!

These Are the Breaks

The harder kids play, the harder they fall. The fact is, broken bones, or fractures, are common in childhood and often happen when kids are playing or participating in sports.

Most fractures occur in the upper extremities: the wrist, the forearm, and above the elbow. Why? When kids fall, it's a natural instinct for them to throw their hands out in an attempt to stop the fall.
Although many kids will have a broken bone at some point, it can be scary for them and parents alike. Here's the lowdown on what to expect.

How Do I Know if It's Broken?

Falls are a common part of childhood, but not every fall will result in a broken bone. The classic signs of a fracture are pain, swelling, and deformity (which looks like a bump or change in shape of the bone). However, if a break isn't displaced (when the pieces on either side of the break are out of line), it may be harder to tell.

Some telltale signs that a bone is broken are:

• You or your child heard a snap or a grinding noise during the injury.
• There's swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injured part.
• It's painful for your child to move it, touch it, or press on it; if the leg is injured, it's painful to bear weight on it.
• The injured part looks deformed. In severe breaks, the broken bone might poke through the skin.

What Do I Do?

If you suspect that your child has a fracture, you should seek medical care immediately.
Do not move your child and call for emergency care if:

• your child may have seriously injured the head, neck, or back
• the broken bone comes through the skin. Apply constant pressure with a clean gauze pad or thick cloth, and keep the child lying down until help arrives. Don't wash the wound or push in any part of the bone that's sticking out.

For less serious injuries, try to stabilize the injury as soon as it happens by following these quick steps:

1. Remove clothing from or around the injured part. Don't force a limb out of the clothing, though. You may need to cut clothing off with scissors to prevent causing your child any unnecessary additional pain.
2. Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth. Do not apply it directly on the skin.
3. Place a makeshift splint on the injured part by:
   • keeping the injured limb in the position you find it
   • placing soft padding around the injured part
   • placing something firm (like a board or rolled-up newspapers) next to the injured part, making sure it's long enough to go past the joints above and below the injury
   • keeping the splint in place with first-aid tape
4. Seek medical care and don't allow the child to eat, in case surgery is needed.

Different Types of Fractures

A doctor might be able to tell whether a bone is broken simply by looking at the injured area. But the doctor will order an X-ray to confirm the fracture and determine what type it is.

Reassure your child that, with a little patience and cooperation, getting an X-ray to look at the broken bone won't take long. Then, he or she will be well on the way to getting a cool — maybe even colorful — cast that every friend can sign.

For little ones who may be scared about getting an X-ray, it can help to explain the process like this: "X-rays don't hurt. Doctors use a special machine to take a picture to look at the inside of your body. When the picture comes out, it won't look like the ones in your photo album, but doctors know how to look at these pictures to see things like broken bones."

A fracture through the growing part of a child's bone (called the growth plate) may not show up on X-ray. If this type of fracture is suspected, the doctor will treat it even if the X-ray doesn't show a break.

Children's bones are more likely to bend than break completely because they're softer. Fracture types that are more common in kids include:

• buckle or torus fracture: one side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side
• greenstick fracture: a partial fracture in which one side of the bone is broken and the other side bends (this fracture resembles what would happen if you tried to break a green stick)

Mature bones are more likely to break completely. A stronger force will also result in a complete fracture of younger bones. A complete fracture may be a:

• closed fracture: a fracture that doesn't break the skin
• open (or compound) fracture: a fracture in which the ends of the broken bone break through the skin (these have an increased risk of infection)
• non-displaced fracture: a fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break line up
• displaced fracture: a fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break are out of line (which might require the doctor to realign the bones or require surgery to make sure the bones are properly aligned before casting)

Other common fracture terms include:

• hairline fracture: a thin break in the bone
• single fracture: the bone is broken in one place
• segmental: the bone is broken in two or more places in the same bone
• comminuted fracture: the bone is broken into more than two pieces or crushed

Getting a Splint or Cast

The doctor might decide that a splint is all that's needed to keep the bone from moving so it can heal. Whereas a cast encircles the entire broken area and will be removed by the doctor when the bone is healed, a splint usually supports the broken bone on one side.

When the doctor puts on a splint, a layer of cotton goes on first. Next, the splint is placed over the cotton. A splint may be made of stiff pieces of plastic or metal or can be molded out of plaster or fiberglass to fit the injured area comfortably. Then cloth or straps (which usually have Velcro) are used to keep the splint in place. The doctor might need to readjust the splint later.

However, most broken bones will need a cast. A cast, which keeps a bone from moving so it can heal, is essentially a big bandage that has two layers — a soft cotton layer that rests against the skin and a hard outer layer that prevents the broken bone from moving.
Casts are typically made of either:

• plaster of paris: a heavy white powder that forms a thick paste that hardens quickly when mixed with water. Plaster of paris casts are heavier than fiberglass casts and don't hold up as well in water.
• synthetic (fiberglass) material: made out of fiberglass, a kind of moldable plastic, these casts come in many bright colors and are lighter and cooler. The covering (fiberglass) on synthetic casts is water-resistant, but the padding underneath is not. You can, however, sometimes get a waterproof liner. The doctor putting on the cast will decide whether your child should get a fiberglass cast with a waterproof lining.

Although some kids might find casts cool when they're finally on their broken parts, the process of getting them put there can be scary, especially for a child in pain. Knowing what happens in the cast room might help alleviate some worry — both yours and your child's.

For displaced fractures (in which the pieces on either side of the break are out of line), the bone will need to be set before putting on a cast. To set the bone, the doctor will put the pieces of the broken bone in the right position so they can grow back together into one bone (this is called a closed reduction).

A closed reduction involves the doctor realigning the broken bone so that it heals in a straighter position. The child is given sedation, which is a medicine, usually through an intravenous line (IV) during the closed reduction. Because realigning the bones is a painful procedure, sedation keeps it from hurting during the procedure. A cast is then put on to keep the bone in position. You can expect another X-ray to be taken immediately after the procedure to make sure the bones are in good position after the realignment is done.

So how is a cast actually put on? First, several layers of soft cotton are wrapped around the injured area. Next, the plaster or fiberglass outer layer is soaked in water. The doctor wraps the plaster or fiberglass around the soft first layer. The outer layer is wet but will dry to a hard, protective covering. Doctors sometimes make tiny cuts in the sides of a cast to allow room for swelling.

Once the cast is on, the doctor will probably recommend that your child prop the splinted or casted area on a pillow or stool for a few days to reduce swelling. A child who has a cast on a foot or leg (called a walking cast) shouldn't walk on it until it's dry (this takes about 1 hour for a fiberglass cast and 2 or 3 days for a plaster cast).

If the cast or splint is on an arm, the doctor might give your child a sling to help support it. A sling is made of cloth and a strap that loops around the back of the neck and acts like a special sleeve to keep the arm comfortable and in place. A child with a broken leg will probably get crutches to make it a little easier to get around.

Cast Care

Some pain is expected for the first few days after getting a cast, but it usually isn't severe. The doctor may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be sure to ask your doctor which pain medication is preferred. However, if your child seems to be in a lot of pain, call the doctor.

If the cast is causing your child's fingers or toes to turn pale, white, purple, blue, look swollen or feel numb the cast may be too tight or the swelling around the injured area has increased and you should call the doctor right away. Also be sure to call if the skin around the edges of the cast gets red or raw — that's typically a sign that the cast is wet inside from sweat or water.

Also, kids shouldn't pick at or remove the padding from the edges of fiberglass casts because the padding is protective and without it, the fiberglass edges can rub on the skin and cause irritation.
It is important to keep the splint and cast dry. Whether your child has a splint or cast the doctor should give you full instructions on how to care for it.

More Serious Breaks

Although most broken bones simply need a cast to heal, other more serious fractures (such as compound fractures) might require surgery to be properly aligned and to ensure the bones stay together during the healing process.

Open fractures need to be cleaned thoroughly in the sterile environment of the operating room before they're set because the bone's exposure to the air poses a risk of infection.

With breaks in larger bones or when the bone breaks into more than two pieces, the doctor may put a metal pin in the bone to help set it before placing a cast. Don't worry, though — as with any surgery, your child will be given medicine so that he or she won't feel a thing. And when the bone has healed, the doctor will remove the pin.

When Will a Broken Bone Heal?

Fractures heal at different rates, depending upon the age of the child and the type of fracture. For example, young children may heal in as little as 3 weeks, while it may take 6 weeks for the same kind of fracture to heal in teens.
It's important for your child to wait to play games or sports that might use the injured part until your doctor says it's OK.

Preventing Broken Bones

Although fractures are a common part of childhood, some kids are more likely to have one than others. For example, those with an inherited condition known as osteogenesis imperfecta have bones that are brittle and more susceptible to breaking.

Be sure your child is getting enough calcium to decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis (a condition that also causes the bones to be more fragile and likely to break) later in life.

Also, don't forget to motivate kids to get involved in regular physical activities and exercise, which are very important to good bone health. Weight-bearing exercises such as jumping rope, jogging, and walking can also help develop and maintain strong bones.

Although it's impossible to keep kids out of harm's way all the time, you can help to prevent injuries by taking simple safety precautions, such as childproofing your home, making sure kids always wear helmets and safety gear when participating in sports, and using car seats and seat belts for kids at every age and stage.

If your child does get a broken bone, remember that even though it can be frightening, a fracture is a common, treatable injury that many kids experience at one time or another. With a little patience, your child will be back to playing and running around before you know it.

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."

SIDS

A lack of answers is part of what makes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) so frightening. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research.

Even so, the risk of SIDS can be greatly reduced. First and foremost, infants younger than 1 year old should be placed on their backs to sleep — never face-down on their stomachs.

Searching for Answers

As the name implies, SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It's a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in seemingly healthy babies. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death") and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering.

While most conditions or diseases usually are diagnosed by the presence of specific symptoms, most SIDS diagnoses come only after all other possible causes of death have been ruled out through a review of the infant's medical history, sleeping environment, and autopsy. This review helps distinguish true SIDS deaths from those resulting from accidents, abuse, and previously undiagnosed conditions, such as cardiac or metabolic disorders.

When considering which babies could be most at risk, no single risk factor is likely to be sufficient to cause a SIDS death. Rather, several risk factors combined may contribute to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS.

Most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather. African-American infants are twice as likely and Native American infants are about three times more likely to die of SIDS than caucasian infants. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS.
Other potential risk factors include:

• smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy
• poor prenatal care
• prematurity or low birth weight
• mothers younger than 20
• tobacco smoke exposure following birth
• overheating from excessive sleepwear and bedding
• stomach sleeping

Stomach Sleeping

Foremost among these risk factors is stomach sleeping. Numerous studies have found a higher incidence of SIDS among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs or sides. Some researchers have hypothesized that stomach sleeping puts pressure on a child's jaw, therefore narrowing the airway and hampering breathing.

Another theory is that stomach sleeping can increase an infant's risk of "rebreathing" his or her own exhaled air, particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. In that scenario, the soft surface could create a small enclosure around the baby's mouth and trap exhaled air. As the baby breathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and carbon dioxide accumulates. Eventually, this lack of oxygen could contribute to SIDS.
Also, infants who succumb to SIDS may have an abnormality in the arcuate nucleus, a part of the brain that may help control breathing and awakening during sleep. If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry. That movement changes the breathing and heart rate, making up for the lack of oxygen. But a problem with the arcuate nucleus could deprive the baby of this involuntary reaction and put him or her at greater risk for SIDS.

Going "Back to Sleep"

The striking evidence that stomach sleeping might contribute to the incidence of SIDS led the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend in its 1992 Back to Sleep campaign that all healthy infants younger than 1 year of age be put to sleep on their backs (also known as the supine position).

Since the AAP's recommendation, the rate of SIDS has dropped by more than 50%. Still, SIDS remains the leading cause of death in young infants, so it's important to keep reminding parents about the necessity of back sleeping.

Many parents fear that babies put to sleep on their backs could choke on spit-up or vomit. According to the AAP, however, there is no increased risk of choking for healthy infants who sleep on their backs. (For infants with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] or certain upper airway malformations, sleeping on the stomach may be the better option. The AAP urges parents to consult with their child's doctor in these cases to determine the best sleeping position for the baby.)
Placing infants on their sides to sleep is not a good idea, either, as there's a risk that infants will roll over onto their bellies while they sleep.

Some parents also may be concerned about positional plagiocephaly, a condition in which babies develop a flat spot on the back of their heads from spending too much time lying on their backs. Since the Back to Sleep campaign, this condition has become quite common — but it is usually easily treatable by changing your baby's position frequently and allowing for more "tummy time" while he or she is awake.

Of course, once babies can roll over consistently — usually around 4 to 7 months — they may choose not to stay on their backs all night long. At this point, it's fine to let babies pick a sleep position on their own.

Tips for Reducing the Risk of SIDS

In addition to placing healthy infants on their backs to sleep, the AAP suggests these measures to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Place your baby on a firm mattress to sleep, never on a pillow, waterbed, sheepskin, couch, chair, or other soft surface. To prevent rebreathing, do not put blankets, comforters, stuffed toys, or pillows near the baby.
• Do not use bumper pads in cribs. Bumper pads can be a potential risk of suffocation or strangulation.
• Make sure your baby receives all recommended immunizations. Studies have shown that immunization can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%.
• Make sure your baby does not get too warm while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that feels comfortable for an adult in a short-sleeve shirt. Some researchers suggest that a baby who gets too warm could go into a deeper sleep, making it more difficult to awaken.
• Do not smoke, drink, or use drugs while pregnant and do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke. Infants of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are three times more likely to die of SIDS than those whose mothers were smoke-free; exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby's risk of SIDS. Researchers speculate that smoking might affect the central nervous system, starting prenatally and continuing after birth, which could place the baby at increased risk.
• Receive early and regular prenatal care.
• Make sure your baby has regular well-baby checkups.
• Breastfeed, if possible. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may help decrease the incidence of SIDS. The reason for this is not clear, though researchers think that breast milk may help protect babies from infections that increase the risk of SIDS.
• If your baby has GERD, be sure to follow your doctor's guidelines on feeding and sleep positions.
• Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier during the first year of life. If your baby rejects the pacifier, don't force it. Pacifiers have been linked with lower risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, try to wait until after the baby is 1 month old so that breastfeeding can be established.
• While infants can be brought into a parent's bed for nursing or comforting, parents should return them to their cribs or bassinets when they're ready to sleep. It's a good idea to keep the cribs and bassinets in the room where parents' sleep. This has been linked with a lower risk of SIDS.

For parents and families who have experienced a SIDS death, many groups, including the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, can provide grief counseling, support, and referrals.
And growing public awareness of SIDS and precautions to prevent it should leave fewer parents searching for answers in the future.

"I pray that this article empowers you to Get A L.I.F.E."