Local medical experts weigh in on some of the important topics affecting children’s health.

Like any aspiring doctor, Amber Teague was exposed to many different specialties during medical school and could envision dedicating her career to several of them. Her energetic and bubbly personality, however, along with her desire to support families, made pediatrics a natural choice.

“In the end, I knew that this particular patient population was the one for me, and I’m honored to serve it,” says Dr. Teague, the chief of pediatric emergency medicine at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. “I could be caring for a kid who might be the next Michael Jordan, who might be the next Ernest Hemingway, who might be a poet laureate or who might just be a regular guy who will someday do a wonderful job of fixing everyone’s cars. It is a wonderful experience to get to care for that group of people and to help them potentially get to where they’re supposed to be in society.”

Of course, as rewarding as it can be to heal a sick youngster, children’s health comes with its own unique challenges. We spoke to local health care professionals about some of the most pressing issues affecting families, and the resources available in the Orlando area that can help them.

Because of the hectic schedules many families deal with, some might think it’s OK to skip a well visit for their children and only bring them to see the doctor when they are sick. Why is that not a good idea, and what are some of the important evaluations that take place during a regular checkup?
Dr. Kevin O’Brien, West Orlando Pediatrics: “Nobody ‘wants’ to go to the doctor when they’re healthy, and skipping a checkup may seem convenient, but keeping timely well appointments is among the most effective ways to ensure your child’s continued good health. When you come to the office during an illness, just that illness is typically addressed. A checkup is a great time to catch up on all of the other health metrics that are probably not being assessed outside of those visits.
“Growth and development will be measured. Interventions for, say, speech delays, have the best rate of success when started as early as possible after a problem has been identified.
“Checkups are a good time for us to dish out ‘anticipatory guidance’—advice and tips that we think you should hear. Ways to improve fiber intake in a picky eater, school accommodation options for a child who has difficulty focusing, and the litany of developmental milestones for parents of a 6-month-old to work toward, are some examples.”

How can parents, especially first-time parents, determine which issues require a trip to the ER versus seeing their regular pediatrician?
Dr. Teague: “That does happen quite frequently, especially with the worry and the angst. … It’s their precious baby, so oftentimes they will err on the side of caution and bring them straight in [to the ER]. It’s important to have a good working relationship with your pediatrician. There are lots of pediatrician offices that have an online nurse that you can communicate with, or a nurse hotline [such as HCA Florida’s Consult-A-Nurse] that you can call to get medical advice as to when to be worried or not worried. There’s also a lot of integrative platforms now with the regular general pediatrician as far as information and handouts. Some of them link directly to websites like HealthyChildren.org and you can get insight into when things are a medical emergency or not. That being said, it’s hard to completely direct all families, because if they’re worried, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We’re here to be able to evaluate and give that reassurance if it’s not a medical emergency, and if it is, to provide the care.”

Although pediatric retinal diseases are relatively rare, why is it important for children to have regular eye exams?
Dr. Gabrielle Turski, Florida Retina Institute: “Pediatric retinal conditions require careful evaluation, possible medical or surgical intervention and multidisciplinary teamwork. Protecting vision early, when possible, can have a lasting impact. I’m honored to contribute to that care alongside my colleagues at Florida Retina Institute.”
Dr. Madeleine Yehia, Florida Retina Institute: “Caring for children when retinal concerns arise is a privilege. Even though these cases are uncommon, each one matters deeply. Providing clarity, reassurance and the most appropriate treatment options can make a meaningful difference for families.”

Do you have any preventive tips to share to keep children in good health?
Dr. Teague: “There is a growth in the number of children who are having secondary endocrine disorders, weight issues, blood pressure disorders. When we’re able to help support those families early, we can give them tools for success earlier so they can modify and set those healthy habits early on for a successful, lifelong journey.”

How have the new federal guidelines on vaccines affected your practice?
Dr. O’Brien: “The new CDC guidelines have begun a slight shift away from prior guidelines (the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends the schedule before the divergence), and I venture to say that we haven’t seen the end of the revisions. Vaccines are a hot-button topic, but it’s important to remember that the parent has (and already did have) the ultimate responsibility to choose whether or not (and when/how) to vaccinate their children.
“New ideology is driving the changes that are seen at the CDC, not new safety or efficacy data. West Orlando Pediatrics recommends the AAP-recommended vaccine schedule, which is the most effective way to keep your child safe and healthy. Vaccines aren’t without side effects, and we will discuss those at the time of the appointment. For patients whose parents are hesitant on vaccines, we’re happy to spend extra time discussing those concerns. With the CDC’s (and soon, Florida’s) changes, I’ve been having quite a few more of these conversations, as you might imagine. While it’s a challenge, it’s something of a passion of mine, and I enjoy the opportunity to help empower parents to make sound choices for their children.”