In this week's episode, Dr. Blair Rolnick discusses how to talk to children about puberty. She recommends starting conversations early, around ages 7-9, before puberty begins. Key points include using correct anatomical language, keeping initial talks short, and being prepared for questions.

Dr. Rolnick provides book and video resources for both girls and boys, as well as specific materials tailored for children with autism. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing discussions about changing bodies and emotions to foster trust and make children feel comfortable. Ultimately, by approaching the topic of puberty in an age-appropriate, straightforward manner and utilizing helpful resources, parents can effectively guide their children through this crucial developmental stage, setting the foundation for open communication about even more sensitive topics in the future.

Resources:

The Care and Keeping of You: https://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-Younger-American/dp/1609580834

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Perfectly-Normal-Changing-Growing

Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys: https://www.amazon.com/Guy-Stuff-Body-Book-Boys/dp/1683370260

What's Happening to My Body (Boys) https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Happening-Body-Book-Boys/dp/1557047650

What's Happening to My Body (Girls) https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Happening-Body-Book-Girls/dp/1557047642

Sex is a Funny Word: https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Funny-Word-Bodies-Feelings/dp/1609806069/

The Boys' Guide to Growing Up: https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Guide-Growing-Up/dp/1526360179

The Growing Up Book for Boys: What Boys on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know! https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Book-Boys-Spectrum/dp/1849055750

The Growing Up Guide for Girls: What Girls on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know! https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Guide-Girls-Spectrum/dp/1849055742

What's Happening to Tom?: A book about puberty for boys and young men with autism and related conditions https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Happening-Tom-conditions-Sexuality/dp/1849055238

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4NZwmSwIzQc

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

Welcome back to The Beehive Doc talks with Dr. Blair Rolnick. Today, she addresses the increasing trend of early puberty or "precocious puberty" in children and explores potential causes. Notable factors include childhood obesity, with a correlation found between higher BMI and earlier puberty onset, possibly due to the hormone leptin. Environmental chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and phenols might also contribute, as some studies suggest their prenatal exposure is linked to earlier puberty in girls. Additionally, childhood stress and events like the Covid-19 pandemic are hypothesized to be influences, though evidence remains inconclusive.

Early puberty can lead to long-term health risks such as cancer and cardiovascular disease and negatively impact mental health. Parents are advised to consult pediatricians if they notice signs of early puberty in their children. Understanding and addressing this trend is crucial for safeguarding children's health and well-being.

Please see studies mentioned below:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33673836/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34732894/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5014756/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35466359/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30517665/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838525/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12723990/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32372073/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27836531/

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VpKQPZYDzlg

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this episode of The Beehive Doc Talks, Dr. Blair Rolnick, a board-certified pediatrician, discusses head lice outbreaks, highlighting symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, and treatment. Lice cause severe itching, which typically appears 4-6 weeks post-infestation, aiding their spread as many remain asymptomatic initially. Diagnosis involves checking the scalp, particularly behind the ears, for hard-to-remove nits resembling small white sesame seeds.

Lice spread through hair-to-hair contact or sharing personal items like brushes and hats, not due to poor hygiene. Treatment includes using a lice comb, medicated shampoo (Permethrin 1%), and decontaminating household items. Dr. Rolnick advises treating all household members. Importantly, children without live lice can return to school, as no-nits policies are outdated. For accurate diagnosis and advice, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended. Understanding these measures can ease the stress of managing lice outbreaks, ensuring a prompt and effective response.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qIpWQmYVWTg

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this week's episode of BeeHive Doc Talks, Dr. Blair Rolnick discusses Lyme disease and tick bites, particularly in New Jersey, where the disease is endemic. Lyme disease is transmitted by black-legged ticks in their nymph stage, originating from white-footed mice. Dr. Rolnick emphasizes the importance of daily tick checks, proper tick removal using tweezers, and saving the tick for potential testing. Symptoms of Lyme disease range from the bullseye rash, fevers, and muscle pains in early stages to severe headaches and joint stiffness in later stages.

For prevention, Dr. Rolnick advises wearing protective clothing, using DEET, and adhering to tick check routines. Timely removal of ticks (within 36 hours) can prevent the disease. Understanding and acting upon these prevention and treatment measures can significantly reduce Lyme disease risk for your family.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R8cpRqZw6oE

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this episode of The Beehive Doc Talks, Dr. Blair Rolnick addresses concerns about newborn spit-up, distinguishing between normal reflexes and potential signs of a more serious condition. She explains that newborns often spit up due to an underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter and reassures parents that spit up is typically harmless if the baby is not in pain, is growing well, and is eating normally. However, she warns parents to seek medical advice if symptoms like forceful vomiting, blood in spit-up, respiratory issues, or significant discomfort are present.

Dr. Rolnick also advises practical tips for managing spit up, such as keeping the baby upright after feeds and avoiding tight clothing. Crucially, she debunks the myth that excessive burping reduces spit up, noting it can actually worsen the condition. Always consult a pediatrician for any health concerns about your baby.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mIPe3AFmsuo

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this week's episode of The Beehive, Dr. Blair Rolnick, a pediatrician and mother, addresses the signs and symptoms of teething, debunking common myths and offering effective management tips. Drooling in babies often signifies salivary gland development rather than teething. True teething signs include red, swollen gums, irritability, and loose stools, not diarrhea. Dr. Rolnick advises against using gels like oral lidocaine, amber beads, and homeopathic remedies with harmful ingredients.

Effective non-pharmacological solutions include cool muslin cloths, cold teethers, and gum massages. Pharmacological options like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used judiciously. Dr. Rolnick emphasizes the importance of consulting a pediatrician if symptoms like fever, significant irritability, or poor feeding persist. Establish solid sleep routines to help manage sleep disruptions potentially caused by teething. As a takeaway, starting dental hygiene early and consulting healthcare providers ensures that teething is managed safely and effectively.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gokoKRMur9Q

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this episode of the Beehive Doc Talks, Dr. Blair Rolnick, a board-certified pediatrician and mother, offers crucial advice on preventing mosquito and tick-borne illnesses while traveling abroad with children. She stresses the importance of consulting the CDC and WHO websites for malaria-endemic areas and starting malaria prophylaxis early if needed. Key prevention strategies include using mosquito nets, appropriate clothing, avoiding scented products, and steering clear of mosquito-prone areas.

Dr. Rolnick discusses selecting and applying insect repellents, highlighting DEET, picardin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus while advising against aerosolized forms. For ticks, she recommends using permethrin on clothing and gear, and emphasizes checking for ticks immediately after outdoor activities to prevent Lyme disease.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hhE_QL8j7A0

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/

In this episode of The Beehive, Dr. Blair Rolnick, a pediatrician and mother, discusses the importance of scheduling a pre-travel visit with your pediatrician at least six weeks before traveling internationally with children. Key topics include essential vaccinations like MMR, hepatitis A, DTAP, meningococcal, and typhoid, alongside vaccination guidelines for regions with specific diseases like yellow fever. Dr. Rolnick emphasizes safety measures such as using bottled water, eating fully cooked foods, and recognizing signs of dehydration related to traveler's diarrhea.

She provides practical advice on travel prescriptions and touches on the importance of transportation safety, ensuring vehicle standards abroad are met, and using car seats. She also highlights the need for preparation to safeguard children's health while traveling, aiming to prevent illnesses and ensure safe, enjoyable trips for families. For more tips on mosquito and tick-borne illnesses, tune into next week's episode.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FV7T2EqKdhE

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

For Dr. Rolnick's practice and more content, visit: https://beekindpediatrics.com/