Holiday hours: 
December 24 - Open 8 AM to Noon for sick children only. 
Closed December 25. 
December 26 - Open 8 AM to Noon for sick children only. 
December 31 - Open 8 AM to 5 PM. 
Closed January 1. 
January 2 - Open 8 AM to Noon for sick children only.

Temporary henna tattoos may lead to permanent problems (From AAP News Parent Plus)

Because henna tattoos are temporary and quick to apply, many believe they are a harmless alternative to permanent tattoos.

Parents, however, should be cautious before allowing their children to get henna tattoos. While the natural henna is safe, it commonly is mixed with para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical used to make the tattoos dark black, more closely resemble real tattoos, and dry faster.

"The problem with PPD is that it is a frequent contact sensitizer," said Albert Yan, M.D., FAAP, a member of the Section on Dermatology of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Allergic contact sensitizers can cause reastions ranging from itchy skin to blisters and scarring.

Although a person may not experience a negative reaction after the first contact with PPD, that first exposure can cause the body to become sensitive to PPD. Once a person is sensitized, only a small amount of the chemical can provoke a very strong reaction.

"Not everybody will become sensitized, but repeated exposure increases the risk," Dr. Yan said. "Once a person is sensitized to PPD, he or she also can be cross-sensitized to similar chemicals like sulfonamides, a common component of antibiotics. This is pretty common, and there have been hundreds of reported cases now."

The following can help parents determine if henna paste contains PPD:

• Natural henna is a greenish khaki color. If the henna paste appears jet black, it most likely contains PPD.
• Ask how long the paste needs to be left on. Natural henna takes several hours to dry and flake off and never works in less than one hour.
• Ask what color the tattoo will be once the paste comes off. If it is black, there is PPD in the henna. Henna will leave an orange stain that will darken to red brown or dark brown but not black.

-- David Ma

New Chickenpox (Varicella) and Adolescent Immunization Requirements for School Programs

Beginning January 1, 2010 and effective for November 2010 report period:

Required for all children entering kindergarten and all children changing school districts:

Required for all children enrolled in 6th grade and for all children 7 through 18 years changing school districts:

A new site is available for health advice. It is backed by over 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians. Visit HealthlyChildren.org to try it out.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

Pediatrics, P.C. is following the H1N1 flu protocol established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. Here are a few things you should know:

• Symptoms of H1N1 flu are no worse than and similar to those of seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache and muscles aches.

• Prevention of H1N1 is similar to that of seasonal flu: frequent hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth, staying home if ill. Teach your children the “vampire sneeze” (sneezing into the crook of the elbow).

• Flu testing has not been shown to be accurate, and Pediatrics, P.C. will not be testing for seasonal or H1N1 flu.

• For further information, see the CDC website www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

• We will try to keep you updated as further information becomes available to us.
• We currently have some H1N1 vaccine available.  Please call the office to schedule an appointment for your child.

We would like to welcome Alison Hofheinz, BSN, PNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner, who will be seeing patients with us. Alison received her Nurse Practitioner Degree from Grand Valley State University in 2003.

Welcome to the Website for Pediatrics PC, your home for patient and family centered pediatric care. We provide medical care for children between birth and high school graduation. We are conveniently located in Portage, MI, on Mall Drive between Constitution and Westnedge Ave. While most of your questions can be answered in our Website, feel free to contact our office to speak with one of our staff.

At Pediatrics PC, our goal is to provide patient and family-centered pediatric care from infancy through adolescence. As one of the oldest independent pediatric groups in the area, our physicians and office staff are proud that we are continuing to serve the third and fourth generations of families in Southwest Michigan. We strive to see your acutely sick child the same day you call for an appointment, while encouraging you to form a partnership/relationship with a pediatrician who will get to know your family and your values.

Forms for establishing your child as a patient as well as forms for school physicals, ADD/ADHD evaluations and Eating Disorder patients are located under the forms section.