Maranatha Pediatrics

08/06/2026

🏃 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Sports and active play are essential for a child's growth, confidence, and overall health. While minor bumps and bruises are part of the game, many injuries can be prevented with the right precautions.

🛡️𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞

• Make sure they wear the proper protective gear for their sport.
• Encourage a warm-up before activity and stretching afterward.
• Keep children hydrated before, during, and after play.
• Teach proper techniques and the importance of following the rules.
• Ensure they get enough rest and avoid playing through pain or injury.

Not every injury is visible. If your child complains of persistent pain, swelling, or has difficulty moving after an activity, it's important to have them evaluated before returning to sports.

07/30/2026

💊 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝.

When your child is sick, it's natural to want them to feel better quickly. However, antibiotics only work against bacterial infections not viruses. Many common childhood illnesses, such as𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐬, are caused by viruses.

Taking antibiotics when they aren't needed won't help your child recover faster and may contribute to antibiotic resistance, making future bacterial infections harder to treat.

👩‍⚕️ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝?
Antibiotics may be prescribed for certain bacterial infections, such as:

♦Strep throat
♦Some ear infections
♦Certain types of pneumonia

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

07/23/2026

🏫 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥?

Knowing when to keep your child home helps protect their health and prevents the spread of illness to classmates and teachers.

🚨 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞:

• A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• A persistent cough with difficulty breathing
• A contagious rash or pink eye (as advised by your healthcare provider)
• Severe fatigue or they're too unwell to participate in school activities

✅ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧:

• They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
• Vomiting and diarrhea have stopped.
• They are eating, drinking, and have enough energy to participate in normal school activities.

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

07/16/2026

𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭?

Heat stroke isn't limited to sports or intense physical activity. Children can develop heat stroke while playing outdoors, sitting in a hot vehicle, spending time at the beach or park, or even during everyday activities in extreme heat.

Young children are especially vulnerable because their bodies don't regulate temperature as efficiently as adults.

🚨𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬

• High body temperature
• Hot, flushed skin
• Confusion or unusual drowsiness
• Rapid breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Heat stroke can happen anywhere there's excessive heat not just on the sports field.

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

07/09/2026

🥗 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭

During hot weather, the right foods can help children stay hydrated, energized, and comfortable. Choosing fresh, water-rich foods is a simple way to support their health throughout the summer.

𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

• Watermelon and berries
• Cucumbers and leafy greens
• Oranges and citrus fruits
• Yogurt and smoothies
• Coconut water (for older children, if appropriate)

💧 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Encourage your child to drink water regularly, even if they don't feel thirsty. Fresh fruits and vegetables also contribute to daily fluid intake.

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

07/02/2026

☀️ 𝟓 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝

Heat waves can be especially challenging for children, who are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Avoiding these common mistakes can help keep your child safe.

❌ 𝟏. 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐲
Children may not recognize thirst early. Encourage regular water breaks throughout the day.

❌ 𝟐. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭
Avoid outdoor activities between 10 AM and 4 PM, when UV rays and temperatures are highest.

❌ 𝟑. 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
Choose lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help keep the body cool.

❌ 𝟒. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, use hats, and seek shade whenever possible.

❌ 𝟓. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫
Even for a few minutes, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise dangerously fast, putting a child at risk of heat stroke.

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

06/18/2026

🌧️ 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

Rainy days can bring cozy moments for families, but they also increase the risk of seasonal illnesses and indoor related health concerns. A few simple precautions can help keep your child healthy and comfortable.

✅ 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

• Keep children dressed in dry, weather-appropriate clothing
• Encourage frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of germs
• Ensure good indoor ventilation and air circulation
• Offer plenty of water and nutritious meals to support immunity
• Limit exposure to damp environments that may promote mold growth
• Keep active with indoor play and physical activities
• Maintain regular sleep schedules for overall well-being

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

06/11/2026

☀️ 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

Sunlight is important for children, helping the body produce 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐃 and supporting healthy growth. However, too much sun exposure can be harmful, especially during the warmer months.

🌞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞

• Sunburn and skin irritation
• Dehydration and heat-related illness
• Long-term skin damage from UV rays
• Increased risk of skin cancer later in life

🛡️ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
• Encourage hats and lightweight protective clothing
• Seek shade during peak sunlight hours
• Keep children well hydrated throughout the day

💙 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧.

𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

06/04/2026

☀️ 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧

As temperatures rise, it's important for parents to recognize the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While both are heat-related illnesses, one can quickly become a medical emergency.

🥵 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Signs may include:
• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cool, pale, or clammy skin

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨:
✔ Move your child to a cool place
✔ Offer water or fluids
✔ Remove excess clothing
✔ Use cool towels or a fan

🚨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞

Signs may include:
• High body temperature
• Hot, red, or dry skin
• Confusion or unusual behavior
• Rapid breathing
• Seizures or loss of consciousness

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨:
❗ Call emergency services immediately
❗ Move your child to a cool area
❗ Begin cooling with cold towels or ice packs while waiting for help

📆𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://consumer.scheduling.athena.io/?locationId=27962-1

05/24/2026