Tina Q Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS

I hope everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the season and participate in more “normal” activities.

This month’s issue has several “must-read” articles that cover important issues more frequently seen in practice:

 issue’s cover story focuses on gastrointestinal (GI) disorders

 that pediatric practitioners frequently encounter. This comprehensive article provides practical guidance on therapies for malnutrition, the latest in screening for GI care, and red flag symptoms in children who present with vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and failure to gain weight.

The Behavioral Health section report was authored by editorial advisory board member Michael Jellinek, MD, who presents a useful article for pediatricians to

 help parents deal with issues that are associated with the roller-coaster years of adolescence

. Many of these issues have become significantly more frequent and acute during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 highlights the impact that climate change has had on allergies and asthma

; both conditions seem to be on the increase.

The Infectious Diseases section report discusses

 for children this summer, especially as children under 12 years of age are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Dermatology section article focuses on

 phytophotodermatitis, or “lime disease,”

 just in time for the summer. This condition generally occurs following outdoor activity on a sunny day during which there has been contact with certain plants (eg, citrus fruits, carrots, celery, wild dill, and wild parsley). This article provides information on how to diagnose and treatment options.

Thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients during these challenging times. Please enjoy the summer and make time to take care of yourselves. As John Barrymore said, “Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”

Please stay safe and well. And as always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

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Dr. Tan shares her must-read articles in the July 2021 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Halfway through summer

With an increasing portion of the adult population having received a COVID-19 vaccination and with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine available for the 12- to 15-year-old population, hopefully for many children and their families this summer will be more normal with regard to activities such as vacation, summer camp, social gatherings, and sporting events. It is hoped that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children aged 6 years and older by the early fall, just in time for back to school.

This month’s issue has several must-read articles that cover important issues we are more frequently encountering:

The cover article on infectious diseases offers timely information on

 diagnosing and treating waterborne infections

, which are significantly more prevalent during the summer months. It was coauthored by 1 of our Editorial Advisory Board members, Rana Hamdy, MD, MPH, MSCE.

 talking to and understanding LGBTQ+ patients

 provides much needed guidance on specific needs these patients may have. It is an excellent resource to help us provide the best and most appropriate care for our LGBTQ+ patients.

The nutrition report provides practical tips on diagnosing

 poor nutrition and malnutrition in children

. This is a problem that is underdiagnosed and has been greatly exacerbated given the significantly increased number of children who have had problems with access to adequate food during the pandemic.

 available to adolescents and information that is important for them to know. As some of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic begin to loosen, we may encounter more adolescents inquiring about contraceptives.

Thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients during these challenging times. Please enjoy the summer and make time to take care of yourselves. As Charles Bowden stated, “Summertime is always the best of what might be.”

Dr. Tan shares her must-read articles in the June 2021 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Happy summer

It is astonishing how fast 2021 is flying by—it is hard to believe that summer is almost here! On the COVID-19 vaccine front, clinical trials are being conducted in the pediatric population down to 6 months of age. With the encouraging preliminary results from the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in children aged 12 to 15 years showing 100% efficacy, a vaccine may be available for those aged 12 years and older just in time for school. (Editor’s note: This article was written before the authorization of the vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years.)

This month’s issue has several “must-read” articles covering topics that all of us in pediatric medicine encounter:

 is an excellent review for the practitioner. It sums up the different headache types, signs, and symptoms. Most importantly, it gives you guidance on when a patient needs to be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.

 provides an update on current guidelines and treatment regimens for asthma. With spring a peak time for asthma and other variants of reactive airway disease, the report is especially timely.

 provides details of the nuances of the new 2021 evaluation and management coding system for outpatient visits, which became effective on January 1. You’ll learn the best way to write patient notes that are compliant with the new guidelines and how to optimally bill for the services that you provide.

 updates parents on what they need to know about food allergies, including the latest information on Palforzia. Palforzia is the first FDA-approved oral immunotherapy indicated for the mitigation of severe peanut allergic reactions in patients aged 4 to 17 years. This is very exciting news for the 1.2 million children and adolescents in the United States with peanut allergy.

Thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients during these challenging times, and stay safe and well. How this anonymous quote rings true! “Always find time for things that make you feel happy to be alive.” And, as always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

Dr. Tina Q. Tan shares her COVID-19 vaccine hopes and her must-read articles from the May issue.

Nearly halfway through the year

As the rollout of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in the community increases, it is time to start thinking how we can offer these vaccines in a streamlined, effective manner. Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines are now being conducted in children above age 12, and we hope that a vaccine will be available for the pediatric population by the fall of 2021. With the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, questions have arisen about the current vaccines’ effectiveness against them. The estimated percentage of people that must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity has slowly increased to 80%. This gives us some food for thought, as the pediatric population accounts for about 25% of the US population, a considerably larger portion than that of other countries. In this month’s issue, several must-read articles:

“Seasonal allergies: What every pediatrician needs to know”

 is an excellent review of current allergens, protocols for treatment, and specific things to be aware of.

 return to sports and active play of children who tested positive for COVID-19

 provides excellent guidance for pediatric health care providers including what to monitor and evaluate prior to return. This is an issue that is rapidly evolving and there has been a major increase in questions as more schools return to in school learning and resume club sports and play.

 underscores the idea that media use can lead to a decrease in the quality and duration of sleep, especially if it occurs prior to bedtime.

As always­ I recommend your comments­ suggestions­ and questions. Please stay safe and well.

Dr. Tan looks toward what the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine rollout could look like in pediatrics and shares her must-read articles from the March 2021 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Tina Q Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS

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Halfway through summer

Happy summer

Nearly halfway through the year

The road to normal