Cline Pediatrics follow-ups are required to ensure that your child is doing well on the medication with minimal side effects. We require that your child is checked in the office within 2 weeks of starting the medication, and then a minimum of every 3 months after that. We ask that you make a request for medication refills a minimum of 7 days prior to running out of medication. Bloodwork is required annually.

Allergies can feel like a cold, and symptoms can include runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose and/or eyes, and sneezing. Some children may also have headaches and/or fatigue. Antihistamines: Taken by mouth, they can help with itchy watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, as well as itchy skin and hives. Some types cause drowsiness. Nasal Corticosteroids: Highly effective for allergy symptom control and widely used to stop chronic symptoms. They are safe to use in children over long periods of time, use daily for maximal effectiveness. Consult with the office before starting any new medicines or if your child need refills.

Bronchiolitis often starts with signs of a cold, such as a runny nose, mild cough and fever. After 1 or 2 days, the cough may get worse and an infant will begin to breathe faster. Your child may become dehydrated if they cannot comfortably drink fluids. If your child shows any signs of troubled breathing or dehydration (see below), don't hesitate to call Cline Pediatrics at 281-534-1300. The following signs may mean that your baby is having trouble breathing: They may widen their nostrils and squeeze the ­muscles under their rib cage to try to get more air into and out of his lungs. When they breathe, they may grunt and tighten their stomach muscles. They will make a high-pitched whistling sound, called a wheeze, when they breathes out. They may have trouble drinking because they may have trouble sucking and swallowing. If it gets very hard for your baby to breathe, you may notice a bluish tint around their lips and fingertips. This tells you the airways are so blocked that there is not enough oxygen getting into their blood. Your child may become dehydrated if they cannot comfortably drink fluids. Call Cline Pediatrics, at 281-534-1300. If your baby develops any of the following signs of dehydration: Drinking less than normal Dry mouth Crying without tears Urinating less often than normal

Treating Dehydration with Electrolyte Solution The most important treatment for young children with vomiting or diarrhea is to keep them adequately hydrated. This means giving them plenty of breast milk, formula, electrolyte solution or other fluids. Using electrolyte replacement solution at home For severe dehydration, hospitalization is sometimes necessary so that your child can be rehydrated with intravenous (IV) fluids. With milder cases of dehydration, all that may be needed is to give your child an electrolyte replacement solution according to Cline Pediatrics directions.

Prevent poisoning in your home Most poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, liquid nicotine, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil. Be especially vigilant when there is a change in routine. Holidays, visits to and from grandparents’ homes, and other special events may bring greater risk of poisoning if the usual safeguards are defeated or not in place. Store medicine, cleaning and laundry products, (including detergent packets) paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children. It is best to use traditional liquid or powder laundry detergents instead of detergent packets until all children who live in or visit your home are at least 6 years old. Safety latches that automatically lock when you close a cabinet door can help to keep children away from dangerous products, but there is always a chance the device will malfunction or the child will defeat it. The safest place to store poisonous products is somewhere a child can't see or reach or see. Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused medication. Note that safety caps are designed to be child resistant but are not fully child proof. Never refer to medicine as "candy" or another appealing name. Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dosage. For liquid medicines​, use the dosing device that came with the medicine. Never use a kitchen spoon. Watch the video, The Healthy Children Show: Giving Liquid Medicine Safely, for more information. If you use an e-cigarette, keep the liquid nicotine refills locked up out of children's reach and only buy refills that use child-resistant packaging. A small amount of liquid nicotine spilled on the skin or swallowed can be fatal to a child. See Liquid Nicotine Used in E-Cigarettes Can Kill Children. Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers. Keep natural gas-powered appliances, furnaces, and coal, wood or kerosene stoves in safe working order. Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Secure remote controls, key fobs, greeting cards, and musical children’s books. These and other devices may contain small button-cell batteries that can cause injury if ingested. Know the names of all plants in your home and yard. If you have young children or pets, consider removing those that are poisonous. Poison treatment tips If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures due to poison contact or ingestion, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. To get help from Poison Control, call 1-800-222-1222. are free, expert, and confidential.

Formal autism screening at well-child visits In addition to this regular developmental surveillance and screening, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screening all children for autism at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. This type of screening can identify children with significant developmental and behavioral differences early, when they may benefit most from early supports and services.

All kids are athletes―the high school soccer player, the junior high performer in the school musical, and the skateboarding middle schooler down your block. You don't have to play an organized sport to be an athlete. Many children participate physically demanding activities like snowboarding, skiing, jogging, climbing, and hiking. Other children are not physically active at all. When beginning sports, all these children should receive a sports physical from their pediatrician, also known as their medical home. These visits are done annually according to the UIL schedule. We ask that you bring your child's form at the time of visit, to save you time.

A fever is usually caused by infections from viruses (such as a cold or the flu) or bacteria (such as strep throat or some ear infections). The fever itself is not the disease, only a sign that the body’s defenses are trying to fight an infection. The best way to take a child's temperature: To take the temperature in your child’s bottom (rectally), turn on the digital thermometer and then put a small amount of lubricant, such as petroleum jelly, on the small end of it. Place your child across your lap or on something firm, either faceup or facedown (if he’s facedown, put one hand on his back; if he’s faceup, bend your child’s leg to his chest, resting your free hand on the back of his thighs). Then gently insert the small end of the thermometer in your child’s bottom (or rectum), putting it in about 1⁄2 inch to 1 inch. Hold the thermometer in place for about one minute, or until the device signals that it’s done (by beeping or lighting up). Remove it and read the number. Taking a rectal or oral temperature is more accurate than taking it under your child’s arm. Also, use one digital thermometer labeled “oral,” and another one labeled “rectal.” Don’t use the same thermometer in both places. At ages four or five years old, you also can take your child’s temperature by placing the thermometer in his mouth (orally). After turning on the thermometer, place the small end under your child’s tongue, toward the back of his mouth. Ask him to close his mouth around the thermometer, and hold it in place. Remove it after about a minute, or until you hear the thermometer “beep” or see it light up. Then read the number. Call Cline Pediatrics at 281-534-1300 if your child: Looks very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy Has been in a very hot place, such as an overheated car Has other symptoms, such as a stiff neck, severe headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, breathing difficulty, an unexplained rash, or repeated vomiting or diarrhea Has immune system problems, such as sickle cell disease or cancer, or is taking steroids or other medicines that could affect their immune system Has heart problems that may affect how she tolerates a fever and increased heart rate as a result of the fever Has had a seizure Is younger than 3 months (12 weeks) and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher Temperature rises above 104°F (40°C) repeatedly for a child of any age Also call your child's doctor if: Your child still "acts sick" once their fever is brought down. Your child seems to be getting worse. The fever persists for more than 24 hours in a child younger than 2 years. The fever persists for more than 3 days (72 hours) in a child 2 years of age or older.

Skin infections are usually very noticeable to parents. You'll be able to see signs of infection on your child, whether it's a rash, swelling or other symptoms. >Eczema >Heat Rash >Poison Ivy & other plant rashes >Insect bites & Stings >Impetigo >Swimmer's Itch >Folliculitis >Molluscum Virus >Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis >Tinea(ringworm) >Hand, Foot,& Mouth Be sure to call Cline Pediatrics at 281-534-1300, about any rash that you're unsure about—especially if you don't know what caused it, if it is making your child feel miserable or doesn't clear up quickly, or if it shows signs of infection or is accompanied by any shortness of breath.

Eye Infection in infant and Child: ​​​If the white of your child's eye and the inside of his lower lid become red, he probably has a condition called conjunctivitis. Also known as pinkeye, this inflammation, which can be painful and itchy, usually signals an infection, but may be due to other causes, such as an irritation, an allergic reaction, or (rarely) a more serious condition. It's often accompanied by tearing and discharge, which is the body's way of trying to heal or remedy the situation. If your child has a red eye, he needs to see the pediatrician ​as soon as possible. Eye infections can last seven to ten days. The doctor will make the diagnosis and prescribe necessary medication if it is indicated. Never put previously opened medication or someone else's eye medication into your child's eye. It could cause serious damage. In a newborn baby: Serious eye infections may result from exposure to bacteria during passage through the birth canal—which is why all infants are treated with antibiotic eye ointment or drops in the delivery room. Such infections must be treated early to prevent serious complications. Eye infections that occur after the newborn period: These infections may be unsightly, because of the redness of the eye and the yellow discharge that usually accompanies them, and they may make your child uncomfortable, but they are rarely serious. Several different viruses, or bacteria, may cause them. If your pediatrician feels the problem is caused by bacteria, antibiotic eye drops are the usual treatment. Conjunctivitis caused by viruses should not be treated with antibiotics. Eye infections are very contagious! Except to administer drops or ointment, you should avoid direct contact with your child's eyes or drainage from them until the medication has been used for several days and there is evidence of clearing of the redness. Carefully wash your hands before and after touching the area around the infected eye. See How to Give Eye Drops and Eye Ointment. Additional Information: Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) Children & Contact Lenses: Tips for Parents Sties Eyelid Problems ​

Asthma is a chronic, or long-term disease that inflames and narrows the airways of the lungs. Cline Pediatrics will create an Asthma action plan according to patient's needs, and age. Asthma checks are required every 3 months.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in young children. UTIs may go untreated because the symptoms may not be obvious to the child or to parents. Normal urine has no germs (bacteria). However, bacteria can get into the urinary tract from two sources: the skin around the rectum and genitals and the bloodstream from other parts of the body. Bacteria may cause infections in any or all parts of the urinary tract, including the following: the urethra (called "urethritis") the bladder (called "cystitis") the kidneys (called "pyelonephritis") UTIs are common in infants and young children. About 3 percent of girls and 1 percent of boys will have a UTI by 11 years of age. A young child with a high fever and no other symptoms, has a 1 in 20 chance of having a UTI. The frequency of UTIs in girls is much greater than in boys. Uncircumcised boys have slightly more UTIs than those who have been circumcised. Symptoms Symptoms of UTIs may include the following: fever pain or burning during urination need to urinate more often, or difficulty getting urine out urgent need to urinate, or wetting of underwear or bedding by a child who knows how to use the toilet vomiting, refusal to eat abdominal pain side or back pain foul-smelling urine cloudy or bloody urine unexplained and persistent irritability in an infant poor growth in an infant

Your child may have many symptoms during an ear infection. Call Cline Pediatrics at 281-534-1300, for an appointment. Pain. The most common symptom of an ear infection is pain. Older children can tell you that their ears hurt. Younger children may only seem irritable and cry. You may notice this more during feedings because sucking and swallowing may cause painful pressure changes in the middle ear. Loss of appetite. Your child may have less of an appetite because of the ear pain. Trouble sleeping. Your child may have trouble sleeping because of the ear pain. Fever. Your child may have a temperature ranging from 100°F (normal) to 104°F. Ear drainage. You might notice yellow or white fluid, possibly blood-tinged, draining from your child's ear. The fluid may have a foul odor and will look different from normal earwax (which is orange-yellow or reddish-brown). Pain and pressure often decrease after this drainage begins, but this doesn't always mean that the infection is going away. If this happens it's not an emergency, but your child will need an appointment. Trouble hearing. During and after an ear infection, your child may have trouble hearing for several weeks. This occurs because the fluid behind the eardrum gets in the way of sound transmission. This is usually temporary and clears up after the fluid from the middle ear drains away. Important: Cline Pediatrics cannot diagnose an ear infection over the phone; your child's eardrum must be examined by Cline Pediatrics to confirm fluid buildup and signs of inflammation. Other causes of ear pain There are other reasons why your child's ears may hurt besides an ear infection. The following can cause ear pain: An infection of the skin of the ear canal, often called "swimmer's ear" Reduced pressure in the middle ear from colds or allergies A sore throat Teething or sore gums Inflammation of the eardrum alone during a cold (without fluid buildup).

For newborns, sleep is about equally divided between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep and follows these stages: Stage 1: Drowsiness, in which the baby starts to fall asleep. Stage 2: REM sleep (also referred to as active sleep), in which the baby may twitch or jerk her arms or legs, and her eyes move under her closed eyelids. Breathing is often irregular and may stop for 5 to 10 seconds—a condition called normal periodic breathing of infancy—then start again with a burst of rapid breathing at the rate of 50 to 60 breaths a minute for 10 to 15 seconds, followed by regular breathing until the cycle repeats itself. The baby’s skin color does not change with the pauses in breathing and there is no cause for concern (in contrast with apnea). Babies generally outgrow periodic breathing by about the middle of the first year. Stage 3: Light sleep, in which breathing becomes more regular and sleep becomes less active. Stages 4 and 5: Deep non-REM sleep (also referred to as quiet sleep). Twitching and other movements cease, and the baby falls into sleep that becomes progressively deeper. During these stages, the baby may be more difficult to awake. Umbilical cord infection Although umbilical cord infections are uncommon, contact Cline Pediatrics at 281-534-1300 if you notice any of the following. Signs & symptoms of umbilical cord infection Foul-smelling yellowish discharge from the cord Red skin around the base of the cord Crying when you touch the cord or the skin next to it When should the umbilical cord stump fall off? The umbilical cord stump should dry and fall off by the time your baby is 3 weeks old. If it is still there beyond that time, a doctor's visit is needed.

Obesity is a complex disease. It is affected by multiple factors and worsened by health inequities. Children and adolescents diagnosed with obesity should partner with their healthcare provider to access safe and effective treatment. Although we are aware of all treatments out there, Cline Pediatrics treatment follows the more holistic way.