Category Archives: Primary care

Routine to lifesaving care: Why three brothers depend on Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

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Routine to lifesaving care: Why three brothers depend on Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Noah, Eli and Abe are as close as brothers can be.

I’ve been a pediatrician for nearly 30 years. I decided I wanted to be a pediatrician when I was in high school and never wavered from my goal. I love what I do because it’s both rewarding and challenging.

It’s rewarding because I know I’m helping kids stay healthy. During three decades, I’ve watched a lot of my patients grow up into healthy adults. Now I have the privilege of treating many of my former patients’ children. It’s a lot of fun and it’s humbling …Continue reading →

What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?

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Child with the fluFlu is here! If you watch the news, you know we are in the midst of the worst flu season in years. Emergency rooms are overflowing, kids and adults are missing school and work, and it’s only early January.

Why is it so bad? Influenza, the virus that causes the flu, has the ability to mutate every year. This is why everyone needs yearly flu shots. This year’s strain is …Continue reading →

Your child’s health: What websites, daytime TV shows and your pediatrician have to offer

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Parents now have access to an increasing number of resources designed to help them care for their children, including a variety of websites, daytime TV shows, books and magazines. However, it’s important to understand the difference between what those …Continue reading →

Halloween safety: What every parent needs to know

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As a mom, I know how fun and exciting Halloween can be for children. But as a pediatrician, I also know how important it is for parents to be involved in helping older children stay safe while trick-or-treating.

In the following video, I share what I think parents should know before letting their kids go out trick-or-treating:

…Continue reading →

Childhood cholesterol tests may lead to healthier adults

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At a family gathering, my cousin approached me about her daughter’s recent visit to the pediatrician. She was a bit surprised her pediatrician was recommending her healthy, active 10-year-old have her cholesterol checked. This sparked a very interesting debate among my family members about health guidance recommendations, most arguments beginning with phrases like, “back in the day…” or “my kids never had to ….”

Fortunately, though, with time comes knowledge. We have come to recognize that some of the most common adult health problems — diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol — have their roots in childhood habits. And there also are those unfortunate …Continue reading →

With Dr. Rohloff’s help, we discovered how special our daughter really is

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Julie, Morgan, McKenna and Kenneth Perkins

Julie, Morgan, McKenna and Kenneth Perkins

When you are expecting a baby, there are so many emotions that go along with the joyous occasion. From the start, you are asked if the baby is a boy or a girl, but all you really are hoping and praying for is a healthy baby. We experienced some challenges when our oldest daughter was born seven years ago. My pregnancy was uneventful until delivery. Morgan was born weighing less than 4 pounds at full term, and our dreams shattered. We were scared for our daughter …Continue reading →

Eating treats with caution this Easter

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If you or your children have food allergies, you know how important it is to watch what you eat. And with Easter right around the corner, those baskets of treats sure can be tempting. Personally, I’m huge fan of jelly beans! But food allergies mean you have to be extra …Continue reading →

Did you know discipline starts at birth?

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BabyDiscipline is more than enforcing behavior. It’s about teaching, and it’s most effective when it’s positive. Discipline also means shaping your child’s character and teaching acceptable behavior. When you think of it that way, it’s easy to see that discipline starts at birth. The gentle touch and comfort you give to your child, and your responsiveness to his or her cries, model behavior from the beginning of life.

When your child starts to crawl, you’ll want to encourage good behavior and self-control. With this in mind, here are some helpful hints for early discipline: …Continue reading →

Keeping your kids warm … even in Wisconsin winters

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This winter has been pretty mild, which makes colder temperatures seem even colder. Up until a few weeks ago, I’ve seen many children going to school in nothing more than hooded sweatshirts.

When temperatures drop again (and they will), it’s time to bundle up and make sure your kids stay safe in the cold. Remember that children are more vulnerable to the cold weather …Continue reading →

Your child has head lice? Don’t panic

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Just say the words head lice and you’ll have parents, teachers and pediatricians cringing. These little creatures, about the size of a sesame seed, mostly affect school-aged children between 2 and 12 years old. Lice also create unnecessary fear and panic.

With the cold weather and snow finally here, I’m just waiting for the calls from worried parents about lice and nits. Picture it: Mittens, hats and coats jumbled in piles outside the …Continue reading →