We’re not saying it’s okay if your kids refuse to eat their salads, but if they had an aversion to iceberg lettuce processed at Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.’s Springfield, OH and Soledad, CA production facilities recently, it might not be the worst thing.
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads processed at these two facilities due to a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. So what’s that? Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. If you’re healthy and you get it, you’ll probably just have a few days of fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea (um, no thanks). But—and here’s the kicker—it’s been shown to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
photo: Courtesy of FDA
You don’t have to toss out everything in your fridge or pantry by Dole (or the private labels also affected). Take a peek in your fridge and get rid of packaged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce that has a product lot code beginning with the letter “W” or “B” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 22, 2021 and January 9, 2022. The product lot codes are located in the upper-right-hand corner of Dole’s packaging.
Currently, the private brands include HEB, Marketside, President’s Choice, Kroger and Little Salad Bar.
No illnesses have been reported with the products being recalled to date, and you can specifically check your products against recalled Dole products on the FDA’s website.
After a long and anxious wait, COVID-19 vaccines are now available for kids age 5 to 11. Getting young kids vaccinated is critical for protecting our communities, since this is a large age group, and taking this step will give millions of parents peace of mind.
Paul Lewis, MD, a Kaiser Permanente pediatrician in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in infections in kids, says that as winter and the holidays approach, this is a good time to get kids vaccinated. He suggests using the COVID-19 vaccine authorization as an opportunity to get kids caught up on other vaccinations as well, since many people have fallen behind on regular appointments during the last 18 months. He also suggests that all children over 6 months old get their flu shot this year. Fortunately, he says, it’s no problem to get both shots at the same time.
We know parents, caregivers, and others may have questions about the safety of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. In this Q&A, Dr. Lewis answers common questions about it.
How well does the COVID-19 vaccine work for kids?
For kids under 12, the COVID-19 vaccine is incredibly effective. A recent study, affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration, that included more than 3,000 kids who got the pediatric dose of the vaccine found that it was more than 90% effective at preventing infection with symptoms.
How does the vaccine for children 5 to 11 differ from the vaccine for people 12 and older?
The pediatric vaccine is identical to the vaccine that’s used for older teenagers and adults, but the dose is one-third of the adult dose. That dosage was chosen because it was just as effective at providing protective antibodies but had a much lower rate of side effects.
What are the most common side effects?
Of the thousands of kids who were part of that recent study, zero had serious adverse events. Some kids get sore arms, redness or swelling, and a smaller percentage might get fatigue, muscle aches or fever. But they’re getting side effects at lower rates than teenagers and adults.
What is the risk of myocarditis?
Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, has occurred in young men who’ve been vaccinated but is pretty rare, with a handful of cases per million vaccination doses. Many cardiologists think that, since this is generally more common in teenagers than school-age kids, it’ll be less common after vaccination as well.
If my child has underlying health conditions, should I go ahead with vaccination?
Studies on this are ongoing. We know that older adolescents and adults with immunocompromised conditions or on immunosuppressive medications respond less well to vaccination, but they do respond. We also know that if they get COVID-19, they’re more likely to have worse outcomes, including needing hospitalization and intensive care. If someone has an underlying condition, such as an immunosuppressive condition, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, we recommend getting an age-appropriate vaccine.
If my child is used to wearing a mask, can’t I just rely on that for prevention?
Social distancing and wearing masks are important layers of protection, but they are hard to continue day after day, especially for kids at recess or at lunch. So the vaccine is a big, thick layer of protection to help with all those other measures, and people should use them together.
How should I prepare my child for a vaccination appointment?
I’ve never met a kid who wanted to get a shot, but kids are resilient. You can help by explaining that you’ve been vaccinated and, while it does hurt, the pain goes away quickly and you’re there for them. At Kaiser Permanente vaccination sites, there will be people who are used to dealing with children and who know that there is a lot of emotion and fear. Kaiser Permanente staff and parents can work together to make it a minor experience for kids.
Is there anything you can do to help reduce the pain that happens in the arm after getting the vaccine? Does heat or cold compresses work better?
I don’t know of any magic or comparison between heat and cold. My advice to parents would be to avoid focusing on it; it is not much different than any other injection- actually smaller in volume. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you normally would for the degree of pain.
My son keeps taking his mask off during recess at school, is he safe since he’s outside?
Different states and different school districts have varying policies on using masks outside. In general, the risk of getting COVID outside is MUCH less than in any indoor setting. Please try to follow the school’s rules—they are doing there best in a difficult situation and parents can help by being supportive
I know the CDC says it’s safe to get both the flu vaccine at the same time as the covid vaccine, but as a pediatrician would you recommend waiting a week or two in between those vaccines?
Simultaneous vaccines are recommended because it is hard for individuals and families to make multiple appointments or to fit multiple visits into their schedules. I got mine together last week!
Are there any over the counter medications that my child should or should not take right after getting the vaccine?
CDC recommends not taking OTCs unless you need them for symptom management.
I have a 17 year old son with a heart murmur and a left ventricular bundle branch block, is he at a higher risk for Myocarditis with the vaccine?
Hard question, but I would check with his cardiologist who knows his case the best.
I have a child with a compromised immune system; with the new variant heading to the US, should I consider homeschooling during the winter months?
We will know much more about the new variant by January. It is not yet widespread enough in the US to worry and when school starts again after New Years we should know more about the risk to vaccinated and unvaccinated kids.
Do you have an estimated timeline of when kids under 5 will be approved for the vaccine?
Hard to make a guarantee but hopefully by spring of 2022.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) made the announcement on Friday. The uncured meat trays were produced February 28, 2021 through August 15, 2021. Affected products are 24 ounce trays split into two 12 ounce packages: “UNCURED ANTIPASTO PROSCIUTTO, SOPPRESSATA, MILANO SALAMI & COPPA.” The UPC code is 073541305316.
After a larger salmonella outbreak in 17 states, the FSIS traced some of the illness reports back to the antipasto trays. Contamination with the bacteria can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever and may last four to seven days. Although most people recover at home, older adults, infants and those with weakened immune systems may require hospitalization.
If you find this product in your fridge, toss it out immediately. If you have more questions regarding the recall, contact Fratelli Beretta USA Inc.’s recall hotline at 1-866-918-8738.
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
The berries were packed between May 28 and June 9 and you can identify a problematic package by the UPC code or the product lot code (see the FDA release for the full product lot code list). Four UPC codes are affected:
0 71430 01154 6
0 71430 01151 5
07143001150 8
071430011155 3
If you find a package with one of these codes in your home, discard it immediately. No other Dole products are affected by this recall. If you have any questions, you can call the Dole Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day.
Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported yet in association with the recall.
Are the kids getting bored with the same old board games every night? By this point, everyone is running out of new things to do.
Now you don’t have to be afraid to turn to Cards Against Humanity because a family edition has arrived. Released online in beta version last year, you can now purchase a boxed version ($25) to be here in time for weekend fun.
photo: Cards Against Humanity
The great thing about the new CAH Family Edition is it’s not just the regular game, sans inappropriate adult cards. The creators actually rewrote the entire game!
The box includes 600 cards with all the PG-rated potty humor you’ve come to know and love from the brand. Get ready to giggle over phrases like “Filling my butt with spaghetti” and “A cloud that rains diarrhea.”
If you’d rather get your hands on the game NOW you can still download the a free version released last year at cardsagainsthumanityfamilyedition.com. The brand’s website shares that the game had been in the works for over a year before releasing last Spring during the height of the pandemic––and it’s just as fun now as it was then.
Check your veggie bins. A salmonella outbreak that has infected more than 500 people in the United States and Canada has been traced back to onions grown in California. Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California is recalling Red, Yellow, White, and Sweet Yellow Onions shipped from May 1, 2020 through the present.
The onions are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
The onions were distributed in 5 lbs. carton. 10 lbs. carton. 25 lbs. carton. 40 lbs. carton, 50 lbs. carton. bulk, 2 lb. mesh sacks, and 3 lb. mesh sacks, 5 lb. mesh sacks, 10 lb. mesh sacks 25 lbs. mesh sacks, 50 lbs. mesh sacks under the brand names Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion.
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve red, white, yellow, or sweet onions from Thomson International, Inc. or products containing such onions. If you cannot tell if your onion is from Thomson International Inc., or your food product contains such onions, you should not eat, sell, or serve it, and should throw it out.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections that may be linked to these onions, so Thomson International is recalling the onions out of an abundance of caution. As of now no specific source of contamination or contaminated shipment has been identified, and FDA is also investigating other potential sources of contamination and has not yet reached a final conclusion.
Infections have been reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Consumers who have any Red, Yellow, White, and Sweet Yellow Onions under the above brand names, or who cannot tell if their onions are from Thomson International, should immediately discard these products and disinfect any surfaces that came into contact with the onions.
*Update 7/2/20: Hy-Vee, Inc. is recalling an additional 12 salads across its eight-state region due to the potential that they may be contaminated with Cyclospora. The potential for contamination was brought to Hy-Vee’s attention when Fresh Express – which manufactures the product – announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) expanded its investigation of an outbreak of Cyclospora in the upper Midwest section of the United States. The 12 salads are in addition to the 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salad product that Hy-Vee pulled last week after initial notification of the investigation. Hy-Vee now has 13 private label bagged salad products (all expiration dates) that are being recalled as a result.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Hy-Vee, Inc. and ALDI stores, in association with Fresh Express, Inc., are recalling several bagged garden salad products due to a potential contamination with Cyclospora. Fresh Express, the company that manufactures the salads for both stores, was notified that several of their private label products were being investigated by the FDA as being linked to a recent outbreak in the upper Midwest.
Neither stores have received any complaints of illnesses, and both are removing the affected products out of an abundance of caution. Keep reading to see all the products affected by this recall.
photo: Courtesy of the FDA
Hy-Vee is recalling 12 oz. Hy-Vee Bagged Garden Salads distributed in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This includes all UPC’s and expiration dates. Customers should immediately throw away the product, return to a Hy-Vee store for a refund or call Customer Care representatives at 1-800-772-4098 with any questions.
The list below outlines the additional 13 products that have been recalled. No other Hy-Vee branded salads are impacted by the new recall.
UPCDESCRIPTIONSIZE
0-07450-24669HY-VEE SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD KIT13.4 OZ
0-07545-12053HY-VEE SHREDDED ICEBERG8 OZ
0-75450-08530HY-VEE VEGGIE DELUXE SALAD12 OZ
0-75450-12046HY-VEE GREENER SUPREME BLEND12 OZ
0-75450-12047HY-VEE AMERICAN BLEND SALAD12 OZ
0-75450-12048HY-VEE ITALIAN BLEND SALAD10 OZ
0-75450-12051HY-VEE COLESLAW MIX16 OZ
0-75450-12058HY-VEE ROMAINE GARDEN SALAD12 OZ
0-75450-24668HY-VEE ASIAN CHOPPED SALAD KIT13.7 OZ
0-75450-24670HY-VEE SUNFLOWER CHOPPED SALAD KIT13.2 OZ
0-75450-24672HY-VEE CHIPOTLE CHEDDAR CHOPPED KIT11.4 OZ
0-75450-24674HY-VEE GARDEN SALAD12 OZ
0-75450-24715HY-VEE AVOCADO RANCH CHOPPED KIT12.8 OZ
ALDI is recalling all product codes of Little Salad Bar Garden Salads with use-by dates of May 16 to Jul. 4. These products were distributed in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin between May 1 and Jun. 19. Customers should discard any affected salad products or call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-800-242-5472.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by consuming Cyclospora, can start seven days after ingestion. They include watery diarrhea, nausea, low grade fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, cramping, weight loss and increased gas.
Check your fridge and freezer. Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw ground beef items were produced on Jun. 1, 2020.
The following products are subject to recall:
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
As pediatric nurses and moms with eight kids between us, we know that kids rarely get sick or injured at a ‘convenient’ time. In fact, if your life is anything like ours, these things happen at just about the absolute worst time possible.
You may be heading on the trip of a lifetime to Disney World and hear the words no parent longs to hear: “I don’t feel so…(insert vomiting).” Maybe ten kids are coming over for the-best-2-year-old-birthday-party-ever! Ten minutes before everyone arrives, the birthday boy is laying on the floor sleeping and at first you think, “That is so sweet,” (famous last words); then you think, “This kid never stops at this time of the day, and he looks a little flushed.” Holding your breath, you reach down to feel his forehead with your Mom-ometer and sure enough, he is on fire!
One of the main things we have dealt with in our homes and as after-hours nurses are the 2 a.m. calls that include everything from fever, vomiting and diarrhea to eye drainage and croup. The one consistent thing about injuries is that they are always unexpected. From the minor knee scrapes at the zoo to face plants when learning to walk—we have been there!
So, how do we plan for the unexpected at home and everywhere else our kids exist?
The answer is simple. We create two kits: one for on-the-go and one for home.
On-the-go First Aid Kit
This is a small, secure backpack to throw in the car or in your stroller. It should include an index card with emergency names and numbers, poison control number, pediatrician’s number and any allergies or medical issues. This kit should include:
Minor cuts and scrapes:
BandAids®
Anti-bacterial wash
Pack of 4”x4” gauze and 2”x2” gauze
Ace Bandage
Medical tape
Itching and/or allergic reactions:
Hydrocortisone 0.5%
Diphenhydramine
Fever:
Digital thermometer
Children’s acetaminophen (pay attention to dosage instructions)
Medicine dosage syringes
Acetaminophen suppositories (to deliver meds when vomiting kids have a fever)
Miscellaneous:
Tweezers
Squeezable ice pack
At-Home First Aid Kit
Ideally, this kit should have a combination lock; at the least, it should be kept well out of reach of curious kiddos. Like the on-the-go kit, this kit should include a card with emergency names and numbers, poison control number, pediatrician’s number and any allergies or medical issues. The at-home first aid kit should include everything listed above, plus a few additions:
Congestion:
Saline nose drops
Gas/constipation:
Gas drops (can give drops directly or mix in with formula or expressed breast milk)
Glycerin suppositories (for true constipation)
Miscellaneous:
Pedialyte® to replenish electrolytes (Pedialyte® freezer pops are great, too!)
Vaseline®
As with all medications, always check with your pediatrician for instructions on when to give and dosage. Many pediatricians have a “medication dosage” guide that will give you instructions on dosage by weight of many of the approved over-the-counter medications.
Minor injuries and illnesses are a normal part of parenthood. Always remember your children are strong, adaptable and resilient—and so are you. There will always be a first bump on the head, a first virus…and you’ll both get through it and come out stronger because of it. Be prepared, trust your gut and remember that you’re the very best parent for your little one. You’ve got this!
We’re Laura Hunter and Jennifer Walker, also known as Moms On Call. We’re pediatric nurses with 20+ years of experience, plus eight kids between us—including two sets of twins! We understand parents because we are parents. We started Moms On Call to cut through the noise with honest, common-sense advice.
Gluten-free food products dot the grocery aisle shelves and for many, adhering to a gluten-free diet is a necessity. Why? Celiac Disease, an immune mediated disease, can affect as high as 1% of the population in North America, according to Dr. Nasha Khavari, is a clinical associate professor and the director of the Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease Center. We recently asked Dr. Khavari about Celiac Disease in children and what parents can do to better identify and manage the disease (beyond only going gluten free). If you have a hunch someone in your family may be affected by Celiac Disease or want to learn more regarding proper diagnosis and treatment, read on to hear from Dr. Khavari.
Can you tell us what exactly Celiac Disease is and its instance in children? At what age are kids usually diagnosed?
Dr. Khavari: Celiac Disease is an immune mediated disease in genetically predisposed individuals. It can be triggered by eating/ingestion of gluten-containing foods, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats. The incidence of Celiac Disease may be as high as 1% of the population in North America.
What are the proper steps and procedures for determining a Celiac Disease diagnosis in a young child?
Dr. Khavari: If a child has either symptoms concerning for Celiac Disease or is at risk for Celiac Disease (a family history of a first-degree relative or other related disease), we ask that they are screened for Celiac Disease. The disease can present and range from no symptoms at all to significant malabsorption, failure to thrive and weight loss. Our Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease care team would begin with an initial visit, followed by the diagnostic work up with laboratory testing. If this testing results are concerning, diagnosis is usually confirmed with a procedure called an upper endoscopy.
My five-year-old complains about tummy aches. Is this a sign of Celiac Disease? Is there anything I can look out for to know if this is normal or if there’s a reason to be concerned?
Dr. Khavari: Abdominal pain can be a sign of Celiac Disease. It can also be very common symptom in children without Celiac Disease. However, some of the more traditional ways Celiac Disease presents include symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and problems with gaining weight or height.
With that said, some children with Celiac Disease have no symptoms at all making it very important to be tested if your child is in a higher risk category.
With the New Year, I want my family to eat healthier and am considering cutting out gluten our diet. Is this a good idea for my family’s overall health? What are the negative factors to consider before we eliminate gluten from our child’s diet?
Dr. Khavari: As pediatricians, we really like to encourage healthy, diverse diet, with minimally processed foods and significant fruits and vegetables. Many of the naturally gluten free foods, for example, fruits and vegetables, are important to incorporate into a child’s daily diet.
Unnecessary exclusion of foods from a child’s diet can be stressful and detract from their overall quality of life. Negative factors to consider before eliminating gluten from your child’s diet include the possibility of missing a diagnosis of Celiac Disease as laboratory testing may not be accurate once you have eliminated gluten from your child’s diet, quality of life effects on the child, and the higher cost of purchasing some of the processed gluten-free foods. It is also important to keep in mind that many of the more highly processed gluten-free foods are higher in sugar content which can have adverse effects on children.
If we find out our child does have Celiac Disease, what are our options and what sort of care will she need to receive?
Dr. Khavari: We recommend that your child see a pediatric gastroenterologist, as well as nutritionist with expertise in navigating the gluten free diet.
Are there medications they can take?
Dr. Khavari: There are no current medications for the treatment of Celiac Disease.
Is this something they’ll live with her whole life?
Dr. Khavari: Celiac Disease is thought to be a lifelong autoimmune disease in most diagnosed individuals.
How important is nutritional coaching/training for my child post-diagnosis?
Dr. Khavari: This is probably among the most important aspects of Celiac Disease after making the diagnosis. Providing your child with the proper nutritional support and education is key to their success in managing this disease. Our Celiac Disease team supports patient care specific to Celiac Disease, from the newly diagnosed through ongoing lifestyle maintenance, offering families the resources and valuable steps to ensure your child’s overall health and well-being.
My five-year-old son has Celiac Disease. What are some useful tips to help us navigate school snacks and lunches once he enters Kindergarten?
Dr. Khavari: We usually recommend sending a letter to the teacher and school staff explaining what Celiac Disease is, and why a student needs to eliminate gluten from their diet. We also recommend a stash of gluten-free foods for the classroom for those days when other children in the class may bring a gluten containing treats to share with the class.
What is the best way to manage this when he is away from our home, and for example, on playdates or at birthday parties?
Dr. Khavari: If you are close with the families of playdates and others having a conversation with the family about what foods they are able to eat is really helpful. Sometimes packing a gluten-free snack for your child, or for them to share with friends, can also be really helpful. While the gluten free diet is the most important aspect of treatment of Celiac Disease, balancing this with a good quality of life for children and allowing them to socialize, interact and eat (in a safe, gluten-free manner with others) is also a very important aspect of treatment.
Dr. Nasha Khavari is a clinical associate professor and the director of the Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease Center. She received her medical degree from University of Minnesota Medical School in 2003 and has been in practice for 16 years. Dr. Khavari completed her pediatrics residency at Stanford Children’s Health followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Harvard’s Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Khavari specializes in treating conditions in children like chronic stomach pain, ulcers, diarrhea, reflux, cancer, Crohn’s disease and Celiac Disease.
