Dearborn Pediatrics

08/06/2026

We are excited to announce that Taj El-Sayed, M.D. will be joining our team on Monday, September 14, 2026!
Dr. Taj is a board-certified pediatrician who is currently accepting appointments Mondays through Thursdays and will be alternating Saturdays with our other fabulous providers!!!
Call our office and feel free to schedule an appointment!

08/05/2026

Parents:
VACCINE records will NOT be available on Thursday, 8/6/26, Friday, 8/7/26, and
Saturday, 8/8/26 as the health department is updating the MCIR platform.
Please call the office today or tomorrow if you need your child’s shot record this week.
Their new platform will be up & running on Monday, 8/10/26.
Dearborn Pediatrics

08/01/2026

07/17/2026

Wildfire Smoke, Climate Change & Children's Health: How to Keep Kids Safe

Wildfires are a threat to homes and communities. They cause stress and harm to those in their path. If you don't live where wildfires are increasingly common, you may not think about how or why they relate to climate change. But the damage from more frequent wildfire smoke still can affect your child's health.

Wildfire smoke can blow thousands of miles away. Previous fires on the West coast, for example, have caused poor air quality days on the East coast. The health effects were felt by children and pregnant women across the country.
Here is the good news: We can take steps to address climate change and reduce wildfires. Our actions also will improve children's health and mental health. Let's explore the connection between wildfires and climate change—and the impact on children now and in the future.

When is wildfire season?
In the United States, wildfire season has become longer. This has quite a bit to do with the conditions that help fires start and stay burning. This, in turn, is connected to the effect of climate change on seasons and weather patterns.

Climate change is causing extreme heat, more drought and less rainfall, as well as longer summers. All of these raise the risk for wildfires. We are seeing:

Larger wildfires

More frequent wildfires

New and different locations at risk from wildfires

What causes wildfires?
Humans are responsible for nearly 85% of wildfires. Causes include unattended campfires, burning debris, equipment fires, discarded ci******es and arson. Human activities also create greenhouse gas emissions and pollution—these play a major role in climate change, as well.

Cutting down on damaging human behaviors can prevent future harm to children from wildfires. For now, families and communities must take action to protect themselves, or adapt, to wildfire risks.

What are the health risks of wildfires for children?
Wildfires burn trees, plants, entire homes and buildings and everything inside them. The smoke from wildfires is more dangerous than particle pollution from other sources (dust, dirt, soot, drops of liquid). It makes the air quality worse far away from the fire, too.

Wildfire smoke causes health problems because it releases:
tiny particles (smoke) in the air that can be inhaled, enter a child's bloodstream, and affect the heart and blood vessels, and

cancer-causing chemicals

Repeated exposure to wildfire smoke affects a child's heart and lung health over their lifetime. Research links it to preterm birth and low birth weight. Wildfire smoke exposure in early childhood may also be linked to chronic lung problems and immune system problems later in life.

Who is at most risk of health effects from wildfires?
All children are at risk of short-term physical health effects from a wildfire event.
They may have:

Chest tightness or pain

Burning sensation of the nose, throat and eyes

Breathing trouble, cough, wheezing or pneumonia

Dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches

Sometimes, children may have physical symptoms linked to their mental health, such as stomachache or headache. Families should watch their children for signs of emotional distress.

Some children are at a higher risk of physical symptoms:
For example, these include:

Infants and young children. Their lungs are still developing. Young children also breathe in more air per minute for their body size and often are more active than adults.

Children with asthma and other lung diseases. They have a higher risk of breathing and other respiratory symptoms because they may experience new wheezing or worsening symptoms.

How can I keep my child safe from wildfire smoke?
Families who live in wildfire zones should have a disaster plan in place to follow before, during and after wildfires.

Here are some of the ways to avoid exposure to poor air quality, smoke and ash from wildfires.

Stay indoors as much as possible.
Clean the air inside using a central system with a MERV 13 filter or higher, or portable air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. If cost is prohibitive, a "do-it-yourself" purifier can be made with a box fan and HEPA filter from the hardware store.

If you must travel outside, choose a mask or respirator that is fully protective for wildfire smoke events.
Your child's age, ability to wear the mask, health conditions and how well the mask fits are all important to consider. Use the "recirculate air" setting in your car. Keep windows rolled up.

If there is poor air quality from a wildfire during a heat wave, close windows and use air conditioning or fans, or find a local cooling center by contacting your local United Way (dial 2-1-1 or search online).
Check your local Air Quality Index (AQI)
Based on the AQI, adjust your child’s outdoor activities when needed. You can find your local AQI by visiting AirNow.gov or this info is provided in many popular weather apps. Children, especially under the age of 5, are vulnerable to wildfire smoke.

When the air quality is poor due to wildfires, check the daily AQI color:

If it is in the green, it is ok to be outdoors.

If it is yellow, consider limiting time outdoors for young children and children with asthma and consider running an air purifier indoors. This is because emerging evidence shows that wildfire smoke might be more harmful than regular air pollution for young children.
Remember
If you are concerned that your child has symptoms related to wildfires or your family needs more support, talk to your child's pediatrician.

More information
Wildfires Information for Families: What to Know Before, During & After

Wildfires and Mask Use (Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units)

Wildfire Smoke and Health Facts (Environmental Protection Agency)

Stay Safe During a Wildfire (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

07/06/2026

MDHHS makes additional recommendations on preventing foodborne illness amid growing cyclosporiasis outbreak in Southeast Michigan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2026

CONTACT: Erin Stover, [email protected]

LANSING, Mich. – As cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise, with the largest increase occurring in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing additional recommendations to help prevent foodborne illness related to fresh produce. As of July 4, 2026, no specific produce grower/supplier, or specific produce type has been identified as the source of the outbreak.

In Michigan, the number of reported cases has risen to 572 as of Saturday, July 4, up from 170 on Tuesday, June 30. Cases remain the highest in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston counties. MDHHS is working with local health departments and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and will update information as it becomes available.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes frequent, watery and explosive diarrhea. The time between being exposed and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more. Untreated, the illness may last from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may go away and then return. Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but dehydration from frequent bouts of diarrhea can cause severe illness, particularly among younger or older people and those who have weakened immune systems.

Previous outbreaks

The following foods have been specifically linked to previous Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada:

Bagged salad mixes and kits (pre-cut lettuce blends with romaine, iceberg, red cabbage, carrots)
Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
Fresh basil
Raspberries
Snow peas
Green onions (scallions)
Given the large and increasing number of cases in Michigan, MDHHS recommends that entities in Southeast Michigan who are preparing, processing, or serving raw produce, including restaurants and other commercial kitchens, take the following steps to reduce risks of exposure:

Lettuce/leafy greens: buy whole heads of lettuce (rather than prewashed, bagged lettuce or salad mixes), throw away the outer 2–3 layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water. For leafy greens that can be cooked, cooking is the safest option.
Cilantro, basil: Wash thoroughly under running water, separating the leaves. Safest when cooked.
Green onions: Trim the root end and remove the outer layer, wash thoroughly under running water. Safest when cooked.
Raspberries: Their bumpy surface makes them especially hard to clean; the parasite can hide in the tiny crevices. Safest when cooked (pies, jams etc.). Consider frozen raspberries as an alternative (freezing may reduce but does not guarantee elimination of the parasite).
Snow peas: Wash under running water and rub the surface. Safest when cooked.
These recommendations are particularly important for people who have a higher risk of dehydration or weakened immune systems such as patients on chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, infants and young children and elderly people.

General Rules to Reduce Your Risk

Cook when you can. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
Wash all fresh produce under clean running water, even if you plan to peel it.
Reminders about routine food safety practices

Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food.
Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
Wash and sanitize utensils and surfaces before and after handling food. Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where fresh produce is stored.
Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces and utensils used to prepare, serve or store fresh produce.
Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
If you do become ill People experiencing gastrointestinal illness, such as sudden and ongoing diarrhea, are encouraged to contact their health care provider and reach out to their local health department. Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics along with rest and drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.

Additional information is available at About Cyclosporiasis | Cyclosporiasis | CDC.

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06/17/2026

Why Your Newborn Needs a Vitamin K Shot
Where We Stand: Vitamin K

There's a lot going on when your baby is first born. They're weighed and measured. Their noses are suctioned out and their vital signs are tested. They may have ointment or drops put in their eyes. They get a complete checkup by your pediatrician.

Most newborns get their first hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital. They also routinely get a vitamin K shot.

But what exactly is vitamin K, and do newborns really need it? Read on to learn more.

What does vitamin K do?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps our bodies make blood clots. We need blot clots to stop bleeding. Vitamin K is important for keeping bones healthy too.

Adults and older children get vitamin K from food such as green, leafy vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs. The healthy bacteria in our intestines, which make up our microbiome, also produce some vitamin K.

Babies, though, have very little vitamin K in their bodies at birth. This puts them at risk for dangerous bleeding problems. Fortunately, it's easy to prevent VKDB with a vitamin K shot. The injection is given in your baby's thigh within 6 hours of birth.

One shot is all it takes to protect your baby from getting vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). This is why, as pediatricians, we have recommended since 1961 that all newborns get a vitamin K shot at birth.
Why babies aren't born with enough vitamin K?
The two big reasons newborns need vitamin K:
They don't get much vitamin K from the mother during pregnancy. Unlike many other nutrients, vitamin K doesn't pass through the placenta very easily.

Babies' intestines don't have very many bacteria yet, so their bodies can't make enough vitamin K.

What is vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
Newborns who don't get a vitamin K shot and are low on the vitamin are are at risk of VKDB. This happens when a baby's blood can't make clots, and their body can't stop bleeding.

The bleeding can happen on the outside of the body. It can also happen inside the body where parents can't see it. A baby could be bleeding into their intestines or brain before their parents know anything is wrong. Brain bleeding happens in about half of all babies who develop VKDB, and it can lead to brain damage or death.

There are three types of vitamin K deficiency bleeding:
Early-onset: This begins within the first 24 hours after birth. It usually happens when the mother is taking certain medications that interfere with vitamin K.

Classical: This happens between 2 days and 1 week after birth. Doctors don't know exactly what causes most of these cases. Early-onset and classical VKDB occur in 1 in 60 to 1 in 250 newborns.

Late-onset: This happens between 1 week and 6 months after birth. It's rarer than early-onset or classical VKDB, occurring in 1 in 14,000 to 1 in 25,000 babies. Infants who didn't get a vitamin K shot at birth are 81 times more likely to develop late-onset VKDB than babies who do get the shot.

Cases of VKDB seem to be increasing. This is partly because more parents are refusing the vitamin K shot for their newborns. VKDB is fairly rare, so many parents aren't aware of how dangerous the effects of this disease can be.
Are vitamin K shots safe?
Yes, vitamin K shots are very safe. The vitamin K from the injection is stored in your baby's liver and released slowly over months. This gives your baby the vitamin K they need until they can start getting it from solid food and making it themselves.

You may have heard about a study from the 1990s about a possible link between the vitamin K shot and developing childhood cancer. This didn't only worry parents; doctors and scientists were concerned too. Since then, experts have done many different kinds of studies to verify this link. None of the studies have ever been able to find that link again.

06/01/2026

The 4th of July is right around the corner! This festive holiday is often marked by backyard barbecues, outdoor fun, and dazzling fireworks displays. While fireworks can be an exciting part of the celebration, it’s important to take proper safety precautions to avoid potential hearing damage. As a manufacturer of diagnostic audiometric equipment, GSI wants to make sure we are spreading awareness around safe listening practices and hearing protection, especially during high-risk events like the 4th of July.

Below are some quick reminders to share with your patients on noise-induced hearing loss and how they can protect their hearing this weekend.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains a significant and preventable public health concern, particularly among individuals aged 12–35, with over 1 billion at risk globally due to recreational noise exposure, according to the World Health Organization. NIHL can result from prolonged exposure to sounds above 70 dB, including music through personal listening devices, occupational noise, and recreational activities.

Particularly, impulse noises are of concern, such as fireworks, which can exceed 140 dB and cause immediate, irreversible cochlear damage. Fireworks at close range (within 3 feet) can reach 150 dB, which is well beyond safe exposure thresholds.

4th-of-july-fireworks-hearing-damage

Hearing Protection Tips

By taking precautionary steps, your hearing can be protected. ASHA advises the following hearing protection options:

Foam Earplugs: These can be purchased at a pharmacy or home improvement store. Foam earplugs often come in bulk, allowing you to share your hearing protection with those around you!
Custom Earplugs: If you are looking to make an investment in your hearing protection and have trouble with foam earplugs, custom earplugs are an ideal option. You can get impressions of your ear at an audiologist’s office, and they will work with you to find the most appropriate custom option and order earplugs for you.
Earmuffs: Earmuffs are made with sound attenuating material and are worn over the ear. This is a great option for infants and children.
As you and your family pack up the car for 4th of July fun—whether you’re heading to a fireworks show, a parade, or a backyard barbecue, don’t forget to include hearing protection on your packing list! Bringing along earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs is a simple way to keep everyone safe while still enjoying the celebrations.

05/26/2026

Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention―When It’s Not Swimming Time
A young child with curly hair stands by an open door, looking back with a curious expression. Lush greenery is visible outside.
Swimming pools can have a powerful pull on little children―even when it's not swimming time. Those glistening turquoise-blue ripples may look especially inviting to an active toddler or an overly confident preschooler.

Children can slip away from the watchful eyes of adults in seconds. It happens every day. (See "Soraya’s Story," below.)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends several ways parents can help keep children safe around home swimming pools and hot tubs―in your own backyard, your neighbor's, or on vacation. It's important to use multiple "layers" of protection, since no single step can prevent all drowning. Read on to learn more.
Fact: Most drownings in kids age 4 and under happen in home swimming pools.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) studied drownings among children age 4 and under in Arizona, California and Florida, where pools are especially common. It found that nearly 70% of the children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet they were found in the water. In fact, 46% of the children were last seen inside their home.
Pool fences: a key safety step
Pool fences are for ALL pools, including permanent in-ground pools, above-ground polls and hot tubs.
Drowning is the leading cause ​of death in children 1-4, and most of these tragedies occur in swimming pools—often in a child’s own backyard or at another home. Most children this age who've drowned wandered outside and fell into a swimming pool that was not fenced off from the house. They slipped out a door, climbed out a window, or even crawled through a doggy door to access the pool.

But, a family swimming pool isn't the only one a child can get into unnoticed. Many drownings among young children take place at the home of a friend, relative or neighbor. Only some individual states and municipalities have laws requiring pool safety fences; there is no national pool fence law. Whenever your child will be in someone else's home, always check for ways your child could access pools and other potential hazards.

Fact: Fences are the most effective, proven way to prevent drowning of young children.

Pool fencing recommendations:
Pool Safety Fence Example - AAP 4 feet, 4 sides. The pool fence should be at least 4 feet high and completely surround the pool, separating it from the house and the rest of the yard.

Climb-proof. The fence shouldn't have any footholds, handholds, or nearby objects such as lawn furniture or play equipment the child could use to climb over the fence. Chain-link fences are very easy to climb and are not recommended as pool fences. (If they are used, make sure openings are 1¾ inches or smaller in size).

Slat spacing. To ensure a small child can't squeeze through the fence, make sure vertical slats have no more than 4 inches of space between them. This will also help keep small pets safe, too.

Latch height. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate that only opens out, away from the pool area. The latch should be out of a child's reach—at least 54 inches from the ground.

Gate locked, toy-free. When the pool is not in use, make sure the gate is locked. Keep toys out of the pool area when it is not in use.

Alarms: an added layer, but not a substitute
Beyond a fence, additional layers of protection such as pool alarms, door and gate alarms, and pool covers can provide some added safety around a pool. Make sure alarms are in good shape with fresh batteries, and keep in mind none are substitutes for a properly installed pool fence.

Drowning is silent. Alarms break that silence.
Pool alarms. Children can drown within seconds, with barely a splash. Swimming pool alarms can detect waves on the water's surface and sound off to attract attention when someone has fallen into the pool, but do not always work with children because they may not make enough waves.

Consider alarms on the pool fence gate and house doors. Door and gate alarms can be equipped with touchpads to let adults pass through without setting them off. House doors should be locked if a child could get to the pool through them. If you have a home security system, ensure that the door alert sound is turned on.

Window guards. These can be especially helpful for windows on the house that face the pool.

Pool covers: what parents need to know
Pool covers should cover the entire pool securely enough that a child can't slip under them. Make sure no standing water collects on top—children can drown in less than 2 inches of water. Power-operated weight-bearing covers are often the safest and easiest to use. Remember: Floating solar and winter covers are not safety covers and can actually increase drowning risk. Because a floating cover makes the pool surface appear solid, a small child might try to retrieve a ball or other light toy that landed on it and quickly slip underneath—often trapped and hidden from view.
water watcher - healthychildren.org
Other important layers of safety
Assign a water watcher.
Their job is to watch all children swimming or playing in or NEAR water―such as on a backyard swing set―even if they know how to swim. This person should provide close, constant, attentive and competent supervision, which means:

staying focused on the children at all times

putting away phones and avoiding distractions

not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol

being ready to act quickly if needed

supervising even if there are lifeguards

switching off with another adult for breaks

Life jackets
Put your child in a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket when around or near open water. Young children and weaker swimmers may also benefit from wearing life jackets near pools. Avoid floaties, water wings, or inflatable toys—they are not safe substitutes.

Swim lessons
The AAP recommends swim lessons as a layer of protection against drowning that can begin for many children starting at age 1. Learn more here.

CPR training
Parents, caregivers, and pool owners should learn CPR and how to get emergency help. Keep equipment approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, such as life preservers and life jackets at poolside.

Check the water first
If a child is missing, check the pool or spa first—even if you don't think they could get in there. This is especially important if your child is prone to wandering.

Spread the word
Share this information with family, friends, neighbors. Drowning can happen to any family.

More information

Infant Water Safety: Protect Your New Baby from Drowning

Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers

Keep Kids with Autism Safe from Wandering: Tips from the AAP

Swim Lessons: When to Start & What to Consider

Water Safety for Children With Special Health Care Needs

American Academy of Pediatrics Drowning Prevention Toolkit (AAP.org)

04/02/2026

Scheduling sports physicals in advance guarantees your child's clearance for the season, thereby avoiding the August rush. Arranging appointments 6-8 weeks prior to the season's commencement provides sufficient time to address any required follow-up tests or vaccination updates.

01/29/2026

Effective Parenting
Now that our children are getting older, how do we know if we are doing a good job as parents?
There is a whole history to your parent-child relationship that began at the moment your youngster was born. To help you better understand the present, try to gain some insights into where you have been as a family. Think back on your experiences with your child when he was a baby, a toddler, and a preschooler. Ask yourself:

How active a parent were you in those early years? Did you play a major child-raising role in the family, or were there other demands (such as long hours at work) that kept you from being as involved as you would have liked?
What were your most enjoyable parenting and family experiences during those years?
Since those first years of your child's life, your parenting techniques may have changed. Perhaps you were quite anxious as a new parent but gained confidence as the months and years passed. Ask yourself questions like:

What have you learned as a parent? What were the hardest skills to learn?
What were your best traits as a parent of a young child? What were the areas in which you had the most problems? For example, did you find it difficult to relate to your child before he started to talk? Was it difficult for you to set limits when he entered toddlerhood? How did he respond to you in your parenting role?
What did you want to change about yourself as a parent as your child grew? How successful have you been in making those changes? Keep in mind that as your child grows, you and the entire family need to change too. In essence, you are proceeding through your own development as a parent.
Even if you made mistakes during those early years, you can amend them now. If you missed out on certain family experiences because you were working too hard, you still have many years to enjoy your spouse and children. In general, children are understanding and forgive their parents for shortcomings and faults. And if you weren't there when your child took his first steps or rode his tricycle for the first time, you can be there for other special events to come, like your child's school play and his soccer games.

Your Current Parenting Experiences
Spend some time thinking about how you are doing as a parent during these middle years of your youngster's childhood. This is a challenging time, in which your child is seeking more independence and is questioning the family's rules. And, from time to time, you may have to help him with school-related problems. He will be developing more peer relationships, too, and his interactions with siblings may change.

How well are you parenting your child during this time in his life? In what areas are you doing well? Where do you think you need more help?

Your Current Life Issues
For many men and women, the stress in their lives interferes with their ability to parent. If they are unhappy on the job, for instance, they might return home preoccupied and tense at the end of the day and be unable to handle the tasks of running a family as effectively.

Take a moment to assess how you feel about these and other important aspects of your life.

Your career and occupation
Your relationships at work
Your living conditions, including your home and neighborhood
Your lifestyle, including time for yourself and leisure activities
Aging: growing older, slowing down and experiencing changes in your body
Your relationship with your spouse or partner
Your relationship with your parents and siblings
Your friendships
Evaluate problems in these areas, and how they might be influencing your family life. Whenever possible, find ways to deal with these difficulties in your life more effectively, so they will not interfere with your parent-child relationships.

For example, if you are like many parents, your day is so filled with job and family responsibilities that you have absolutely no "down time," when you become a priority. Keep in mind, however, that most parents are happier people (and thus better parents) when they make time for things they find pleasurable. As your children move through their school years, they will develop interests and responsibilities (from friends to homework) that can provide you with more time for those activities that you find enriching. You do not need to devote every free moment to playing checkers or baseball with your children; in fact, as long as you are also setting aside some time for your youngsters, they will probably feel good knowing that you are pursuing interests that you really enjoy.

Send a message to learn more