by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

I still remember when a sweet, smiling little girl came into my office a few years back. She had injured her wrist. I did my usual exam which includes palpating areas of tenderness. Well I hit a sore spot; she let out a yelp and sobbed “why did you hurt me?” I felt so bad, but was tempted to tell her that’s what doctors do (not really). Instead I explained I needed to know what specific area was injured so I would know where to look on an x-ray. I don’t think she bought it.

At any rate, I thought of this when I read an Academy of Emergency Medicine study concluded the Ottawa Ankle Rules could be applied to as young as 6 years old and up. What are these rules? (more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H

Can your own perceptions of your child’s health affect it?

Dr. Tracy Lieu, author of a study in the October 8, 2008, Pediatrics, thinks so.  She surveyed parents of 700 asthmatic children and found parents’ low expectations led to more poorly controlled asthma.

In a Science Daily interview, Dr. Lieu said: (more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

News about the octuplets birth is still coming out–and it still bothers me.  Why would any health-care provider give fertility treatment to a single mother who already has six children?

This is what happens when moral and ethical judgments go out the window.  She asked, she is entitled, she received.  If health-care professionals cannot handle responsibility like this, what are we getting ourselves into with genetic engineering and beyond?

On the other hand, when do we draw the line?  Who are we to judge?

(more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

No one should have to bury their child.  A universal truth that will never be cliche.  There is nothing worse than the death of your son or daughter.  It haunts you forever.

I know from second-hand experience after my parents had to do just that when my sister died in an auto accident in her twenties.  The Travoltas know first-hand.  You can only try to cope.  But how?  What common lessons can be learned from such an unthinkable tragedy?

(more…)

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

Whenever there is a public tragedy such as the death John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s son, Jet, we are all sad, and some of us worry how it might relate to us. At least, I do.  It is a realty check. Don’t we all, sometimes, fear the worst for our children or is it just me?

We don’t know the cause of his death yet, but we do know that both parents have talked about their son getting Kawasaki disease when a child.  So, for now, if our own child gets sick we think, could it be Kawasaki Disease?  What if I, or the doctor miss the diagnosis?  How serious a threat is it to my family? 

Knowledge and perspective may help a little.                                 
                                                                                                            photo CDC.strawberry tongue                        

(more…)