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1 Kids WINTER 2011 GEORGIA First A quarterly publication of the Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics georgiahealth.org/kids facebook.com/ghskids twitter.com/ghskids

From the Chairman It is my pleasure to welcome you to our redesigned edition of Georgia Kids First, the quarterly publication of the Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center.

Our goal is not just to highlight the extensive expertise of our specialists and their teams of dedicated professionals, but to demonstrate our commitment to improving the health of our state s most

2 From the Chairman It is my pleasure to welcome you to our redesigned edition of Georgia Kids First, the quarterly publication of the Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, because sharing our many success stories with the communities we serve is one of the joys I have here as Pediatrician-in-Chief. Our goal is not just to highlight the extensive expertise of our specialists and their teams of dedicated professionals, but to demonstrate our commitment to improving the health of our state s most fragile patients. As the first children s hospital in the south, and original home of patient- and family-centered care, we want referring physicians and other practitioners and parents to know we are here to make a lifelong difference in children s lives. Consider our profile story on little Kendall Barrett, who was born severely premature. His mother s physicians knew our neonatal intensive care unit was the best facility in the region to care for him during this vulnerable period in his young life. And the Children s Medical Center staff was proud to be a partner in helping the Barrett family welcome the newest arrival to their household. As one of only two dedicated children s hospitals in Georgia to provide highest levels of care, we treat special cases like Kendall every day. Last year, our professionals cared for nearly 4,000 children admitted to the hospital, more than 7,000 pediatric surgeries and 75,000 clinic visits. We know that few things are more stressful to a family than when the children and grandchildren need our specialized care. Please know that we are humbled by the trust you place in us and that we are devoted to your child s health. A Fighti NICU offers top perinatal care to most vulnerable patients Sincerely, Bernard L. Maria, M.D./M.B.A. Pediatrician-in-Chief, GHS Children s Medical Center Ellington Charles Hawes Professor Chairman, Department of Pediatrics Georgia Health Sciences University NICU information Referring physicians, call Parents, call KIDS (5437) GEORGIA Kids First

3 ng Chance Lashonda Barnett s physicians were expecting her first son, Kendall, to be born prematurely, but no one was expecting her to go into labor after only 31 weeks. We were supposed to make it to 34 weeks, but we didn t, said Barnett, who lives at Fort Gordon with her husband Darnell, who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Barnett was scheduled to have her delivery at an Augusta hospital contracted to provide military care, but her physicians decided to refer the family instead to the neonatal intensive care unit of Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center, which offers the highest level of care (Level IIID) in the region. The perinatal center unit treats premature babies such as Kendall, who need highly specialized care that many other facilities cannot provide. Our staff gives the tiniest patients a fighting chance at life by delivering skilled and coordinated care, said Dr. Catalina Bazacliu, the Children s Medical Center neonatologist who cared for the Barnett family. Kendall s premature birth, like that of most preemies, was caused by a spontaneous preterm labor. I think it was the red beans and rice, Barnett said jokingly. Kendall, however, was born extremely premature; only 10 percent of preemies are born between 28 and 31 weeks. The vast majority are born between 34 and 36 weeks. Premature babies are at increased risk for newborn health complications, such as breathing problems and infections. The Children s Medical Center NICU offers the largest team of neonatologists in the area and 36 beds six of which are in a HEPA-filtered area for the most at-risk babies. The facility s emphasis on patient and family centered care also makes the hospital stay easy on parents such as Barnett, who had no restrictions on the amount of time she could spend with her baby. I was here all day, every day, said Barnett, who got to go home with her baby on in mid-october. It s been great the way they treated me. Children s Medical Center NICU n Approximately 100 registered nurses who specialize in neonatal care, are certified in neonatal resuscitation and deliver one-on-one care when needed n Dedicated pediatric dietitians, pharmacists and respiratory therapists for ventilation and other procedures n Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation technology to provide heart and lung bypass as needed. ECMO can be used to keep the hearts and lungs of critically ill infants working. n A Neonatal Air and Ground Transport Team n A kitchenette, family day room, solarium and family-consult area n Parent education n A neonatal follow-up program for children with ongoing medical needs

4 Battling Childhood Obes As a registered pediatric dietitian at Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center, Kristen Middleton understands the challenges today s parents face when it comes to childhood obesity. Parents are working long hours and have little time to shop and cook. Kids are spending Middleton more time online and playing video games. And many schools are limiting physical education, Middleton says. All this can throw the energy equation the number of calories consumed versus burned out of balance and lead to health problems. It s important for you to take the lead if your child is among the one in three American kids who are overweight or obese, Middleton says. Eat now. Pay Later. Children who are obese generally do not just outgrow it. Without help, these kids are likely to become obese adults with increased risks for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer and osteoarthritis. They are also more likely to suffer from depression, bullying and low self-esteem. But don t despair. Good health habits, like bad ones, can be learned over time. And it s not as difficult as you may think. Big-Boned or Overweight? Your children s physicians should be monitoring their Body Mass Index for age to see if they are trending toward obesity. BMI is a formula using height and weight to calculate body fat. If your child s BMI falls in the 85 percentile or above, he or she is at risk. And the earlier you intervene, the better, Middleton says. Denying the problem or making excuses for it generally makes things worse. Obesity is often a family affair, so don t single out one child or focus too much on weight. Instead, talk to your children about any family history of diabetes or obesity and explain the importance of portion control and other lifestyle choices, Middleton advises. 4 GEORGIA Kids First Reversing the Trend Be patient. Weight gain doesn t occur overnight, and neither does weight loss. In children under age 7 with no additional health concerns, physicians may recommend weight maintenance rather than weight loss. With positive lifestyle changes, these kids can add inches but not pounds, allowing their BMI to drop to a healthy range. Slow and steady weight loss of between a pound a week and a pound a month is generally recommended for children age 7 and older, unless they are severely obese. Like any major change, the first step is often the hardest, Middleton says. But families who face this challenge together grow stronger in every sense of the word. Weighing in on the Holidays Rather than trying to lose weight during the holidays, it may be more realistic to hold the line. These tips can help: n Serve wholesome meals that include lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains and limited fat and sugar. n Engage in activities that don t involve eating. Go skating, take a hike or play basketball or football. n Modify traditional dishes. Add vegetables and dried fruits to dressings. Bake instead of fry the turkey and remove the skin. Make gravy with canned broth instead of fatty drippings. Serve vegetables without butter or cream sauces. Concerned? If you re concerned about your child s weight, call KIDS (5437) to schedule an appointment with a caring pediatrician. If needed, he or she will refer you to a pediatric dietitian for counseling.

ity: A Family Affair 9 Ways to Tip The Scales in the Right Direction 1. Make health and weight maintenance a family affair. 2. Schedule annual wellness exams that include BMI monitoring.

Take it from Jared Subway spokesman shares weight-loss tips at Georgia Prevention Institute Subway spokesman Jared Fogle recently visited the Georgia Prevention Institute at Georgia Health Sciences

Jared was in Augusta for the third annual Subway Fresh Fit Video and Poster Competition, which was judged by Kristen Middleton, registered pediatric dietitian at Georgia Health Sciences Children s

5 ity: A Family Affair 9 Ways to Tip The Scales in the Right Direction 1. Make health and weight maintenance a family affair. 2. Schedule annual wellness exams that include BMI monitoring. Jared Fogle shows his big pants to children at GHSU s Georgia Prevention Institute. Take it from Jared Subway spokesman shares weight-loss tips at Georgia Prevention Institute Subway spokesman Jared Fogle recently visited the Georgia Prevention Institute at Georgia Health Sciences University to encourage children to eat healthy and get plenty of exercise. Jared was in Augusta for the third annual Subway Fresh Fit Video and Poster Competition, which was judged by Kristen Middleton, registered pediatric dietitian at Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center. His audience included about to 11-year-olds who are participating in the SMART study, which examines the effects of after-school programs, including recreation and cognitive activities, on children s health and brain function. The study is led by GPI researcher Dr. Catherine Davis. I used to sit around and play video games for hours and hours, Jared told the students. I would eat junk food and more junk food. My weight got up to 425 pounds, and I finally realized I had to change. I began eating healthy foods and walking 30 minutes a day. Jared, who is most famous for his big pants, has lost more than 240 pounds since 1998, partly by eating Subway s healthier menu items. 3. Be a health-conscious shopper. Focus on whole grains, lean meat, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Limit sweets, fats and salty snacks. 4. Cook and eat at home and at a table. You can use better ingredients, control portion sizes and establish good eating habits. 5. Make a few small, measurable changes every two weeks. Reward success, but not with food. 6. Limit screen time to no more than two hours a day. 7. Make sure your kids are active for at least 60 minutes a day. 8. Watch for emotional or unconscious eating and make your child aware of it. 9. Foster appetite control by serving a healthy breakfast that includes lean protein, whole grains and a little fat.

Adult PPARameters Adult drugs may help infants avoid lung damage Children born with heart defects can quickly find their lungs in jeopardy as well.

6 Adult PPARameters Adult drugs may help infants avoid lung damage Children born with heart defects can quickly find their lungs in jeopardy as well. The high pressure and increased blood volume associated with such defects can turn flexible pulmonary blood vessels into narrow, rigid pipes, resulting in pulmonary hypertension, which puts additional strain on the heart. Georgia Health Sciences University researchers are working to lower the pressure by using PPAR agonists, a drug already used to treat diabetes and other diseases, to boost the production of nitric oxide, a power blood vessel dilator that lets the vessels temporarily handle the extra workload. Our goal is to help protect the babies lungs until their heart defect can be corrected, said Dr. Shruti Sharma, molecular biologist at GHSU s Vascular Biology Center. About 1 percent of newborns have a heart defect, with half requiring surgery. Improved surgical and medical treatments have increased survival rates, but the risk of related lung disease also can be deadly. Sharma s early findings indicate high pressure from heart defects disrupt the cell s powerhouse, or mitochondria, which creates a cascading effect that hampers the body s ability to convert two enzymes into nitric oxide. Sharma is principal investigator on a four-year American Heart Association grant to better define key steps of the system and whether increasing PPAR signaling can help restore optimal functioning of the system when it s needed most. We hope that adding a PPAR agonist will improve mitochondrial activity and function and downstream help improve arginine recycling and nitric oxide production, Sharma said. Sharma What is the? The Child Health Discovery Institute promotes collaboration between physicians and scientists to develop more effective health promotion, prevention and treatment programs. It is the newest of six enterprise-wide institutes at Georgia Health Sciences University and the only one dedicated to children. 6 GEORGIA Kids First

7 For Patients and Physicians AT A GLANCE The Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center is the only facility in the region dedicated exclusively to children. It staffs the largest team of pediatric specialists outside of metro Atlanta who can deliver out- and in- patient care for everything from common childhood illnesses to life-threatening conditions like heart disorders, cancer and neurological diseases. n The largest team of general pediatricians, adolescent medicine physicians and pediatric specialists in the area n Primary care to keep your child healthy n Adolescent care by board-certified adolescent medicine specialists n A full range of medical services including pediatric cardiology, oncology, neurology and surgery OUR LEADERSHiP TEAM Bernard Maria, M.D., M.B.A. Medical Director, Children s Medical Center Chairman of Pediatrics, Georgia Health Sciences University n Pediatric emergency services and the area s only pediatric trauma center n A dedicated 154-bed children s hospital designed exclusively for children n A Level I (highest level) pediatric intensive care unit n A Level III-D (highest level) neonatal intensive care unit n Pediatric and Neonatal air and ground transport teams n One of only two Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation systems in Georgia. ECMO keeps the hearts and lungs of critically ill infants and children working while they heal. n A full range of on-site diagnostic tests n Registered nurses, therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, nurse educators and other caregivers specially trained in pediatrics Charles G. Howell, M.D. Chief of Pediatric Surgery Co-Medical Director of the Children s Medical Center James Mumford Administrative Director of Pediatrics in Ambulatory and Network Services Co-Manager, Inpatient Pediatric Operations Manager, Outpatient Operations n Social workers to help families access resources n Patient Family Centered Care n Child life specialists to help children understand and cope with care n A telemedicine program to take pediatric expertise into rural areas Kim Basso Co-Manager, Inpatient Pediatric Operations Nursing Liaison n Interpreters in many languages n Medical research and training programs for pediatric specialists n All the resources of one of Georgia s largest academic medical centers For Patients: To request an appointment visit georgiahealth.org or call KIDS (5437) or toll free at KIDS (5437) For Physicians: Referrals? Call for inpatient; for outpatient

Communications and Marketing 1120 15th Street, AD1102 Augusta, Georgia 30912 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Augusta, GA Permit No. 210 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED www.georgiahealth.

8 Communications and Marketing th Street, AD1102 Augusta, Georgia Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Augusta, GA Permit No. 210 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Hope on Wheels Members of Georgia Health Sciences University & Health System recently accepted a $100,000 Hope Grant from officials with Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Augusta-area Hyundai Dealers to support pediatric brain cancer research at GHSU. Hyundai Hope on Wheels and area Hyundai dealers recently awarded Georgia Health Sciences Children s Medical Center a $100,000 Hope Grant to support pediatric brain cancer research. The hospital is one of 71 recipients of Hyundai s Hope on Wheels 2011 Hope Grant program, featuring $7.1 million in grants to support research and programs in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. This donation represents a critical pledge in our fight against pediatric brain cancer, said Dr. Theodore Johnson, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, who accepted the donation during a ceremony in the hospital lobby. n 2011 Cares for Kids Radiothon Tune in to WBBQ and Kiss FM from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 9 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 to hear stories of hope from Children s Medical Center patients. New this year is a Children s Miracle Network store in the lobby where you can purchase T-shirts, cups and other items to benefit the Children s Medical Center. Last year s Radiothon raised a record $216,000. For more information or to make a donation, call , or visit georgiahealth.org/giving

Beaumont Healthy Kids Program

Beaumont Healthy Kids Program Childhood overweight and obesity are increasing at an alarming rate. The prevalence has tripled over the past 3 decades. Overweight children are at risk for developing: Type 2 diabetes High cholesterol