Child Health Resources

This web page contains our recommended web links to sites that deal with child health issues that are not covered by the other focused web pages on our website (listed at the bottom of each web page).  We begin with websites offering resources a wide range of pediatric health topics, and continue with those sites providing information that is limited to focused areas of child health.  The transmission of information from these sites (and our website) to you is not intended to create, nor does it create, a doctor-patient relationship between you, your child, and Agoura-West Valley Pediatric Medical Group.  If you have any concerns about your child's health, please make an appointment to discuss your child's situation with his/her physician.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

The American Academy of Pediatrics has an excellent web site--our favorite--at which you will find information on a variety of childrens health topics.  In addition, this website has a "bookstore" through which you can purchase many excellent childcare books covering a wide range of health topics.  All of our physicians are members of the A.A.P.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (home page)

Of special note, the "Health Topics" section of the A.A.P. website has a wealth of information on a variety of childrens health subjects:

• A.A.P. Health Topics

KEEP KIDS HEALTHY

Developed by a pediatrician member of the A.A.P., this website is a complete source of information covering all aspects of child health, from the physical to the emotional.

• Keep Kids Healthy

KIDS HEALTH

Created by the Nemours Foundation's Center for Childrens Health Media, this website has areas that are designed for parents, teens, and younger kids.  The content is reviewed and approved by physicians and health care experts.

• KidsHealth

WebMD

The Pediatric section of this website has a great deal of helpful information for parents.

• Child Health section of WebMD

About.com

The Pediatric page of this website has a good amount of helpful information.

• Pediatric page of About.com

STATE & COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

The state and county public health departments have valuable information, particularly regarding tracking of local health problems such as disease outbreaks and environmental health hazards.

• California Department of Health Services
• Los Angeles County Public Health Department
• Ventura County Public Health Department

VACCINES/IMMUNIZATIONS

Fortunately, there is a lot of "science" behind our childhood vaccinations.  They are probably the most researched and monitored service we provide as pediatricians.  And they are one of the major health care achievements in the last 50 years, leading to lower mortality and hospitalization rates among our children.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation in the media about our vaccines.  The following websites are authoritative and reliable sources of information regarding childhood immunizations.  They will help you to sort out the facts from the negative hype and hypotheses when it comes to vaccines.

American Academy of Pediatrics

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention National Immunization Program
• National Network for Immunization Information
• Immunization Action Coalition
• Institute of Medicine
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• World Health Organization

THE "THIMEROSAL" PRESERVATIVE ISSUE

All of the vaccinations we are currently giving to children are thimerosal-free.  Thimerosal is a preservative containing a trace amount of mercury.  It had been present in several childhood vaccines until it was removed in 2001. Some of our Influenza vaccine has been the only remaining vaccine to contain the thimerosal preservative.  For additional authoritative information on this preservative issue, please click on the following link:

• www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/thimerosal.htm

• http://www.inspectatoy.com/

SLEEP AND SLEEP DISORDERS

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• National Sleep Foundation
• Nemours Foundation/Kids Health
• Sleep Education (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)
• Sleepy Planet/Child Sleep
• WebMD

If your doctor asks you to complete a "sleep diary" to document your child's sleep schedule, you may click on the following link to download and print a sleep diary:

• Sleep Diary

Below are two of our handouts on the foundations of good sleep habits for children and teens:

DENTAL AND ORAL HEALTH

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• First Smiles Oral Health Program
• National Maternal & Child Oral Health Resource Center

GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS & G.E.R.D.

• Reflux and GERD information 

• North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS & INFORMATION

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)   This website has great patient-friendly summaries of a vast array of childhood orthopedic problems and issues.

AAOS Sports & Exercise Information.  This is the sport and exercise specific page of valuable handouts from the same American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.