
- Increased urgency to urinate, even if there is no output
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- A decreased output of urine
- Children may complain of a burning sensation when urinating
- Older children may complain of lower stomach or back pain
- Younger children may cry when urinating
- Wetting the bed
If your child is showing symptoms of a UTI you must see your pediatrician right away. A simple urine sample is all that’s needed to be able to detect the presence of bacteria. We can examine the urine sample under the microscope and provide results in a matter of minutes. The kind of bacteria that’s present will help us determine the type of antibiotics we will prescribe.
It’s important to seek treatment right away, as untreated UTIs can lead to more serious problems including kidney infections, abscesses, and sepsis. Your pediatrician can prescribe antibiotics. Your child should also be getting plenty of fluids during the course of their treatment to help flush out bacteria.
Does your baby have jaundice? Find out how to handle this problem.
Jaundice in newborns is actually more common than you might think. While seeing your newborn with yellowing skin and eyes may be alarming it’s usually nothing to worry about. When red blood cells breakdown in the body they release a substance known as bilirubin. When your baby’s liver is unable to break down the bilirubin quickly enough this leads to jaundice. Find out how our Kansas City, MO, newborn doctors will treat this problem at Pediatric Care North.
What causes newborn jaundice?
There are several reasons your baby may develop jaundice. Premature babies (babies born before 37 weeks) are more at risk for developing jaundice, as are babies that aren’t getting enough breast milk (or formula) or babies that have a different blood type from their mother.
In some cases, an infection or liver problem could be to blame. While newborn jaundice will often go away on its own within 2-3 weeks, if your baby’s symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks this could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
When will symptoms appear?
Newborn jaundice will typically appear not long after birth (usually within 2-4 days). If you notice your baby’s skin appears yellow, especially when pressing on their skin, this is a telltale sign of jaundice.
Do I need to call a Kansas City Newborn Doctor right away?
While you may not necessarily need to call our Kansas City, MO, newborn doctor right away if your child has symptoms of jaundice, it is important to know when to turn to us for care. Give us a call if your baby’s symptoms get worse or spread, if your baby develops a fever, if they aren’t feeding, or they seem sluggish.
How is newborn jaundice treated?
While many cases of newborn jaundice will go away without treatment, more severe cases will require treatment from a qualified medical professional. One way in which we can treat more serious cases of jaundice in newborns is with phototherapy, which helps to break down bilirubin in the body.
If you notice any health changes in your newborn that have you concerned, you must visit our Kansas City, MO, children’s doctor as soon as possible. The team at Pediatric Care North is dedicated to providing you with immediate, comprehensive pediatric care. To schedule an appointment, call us at (816) 587-3200.

Types of Car Seats
Before your child can just start buckling up like a big kid, they need to use car seats. Children from birth until 3 years old will use a rear-facing car seat. From 3-7 years old children will upgrade to the forward-facing car seat. Then the booster seat is typically used anywhere from 5-12 years, depending on their height and manufacturer’s guidelines. Children should be at least five years old, weigh at least 40 pounds and be over the height and weight requirements for their forward-facing car seat to be ready to upgrade to a booster seat.
Choosing the Right Car Seat
When it comes to choosing a car seat, we know that it can be difficult to narrow it down. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides useful information to help you find the right car seat by comparing different ones on the market. You can also talk to your pediatrician, who can provide you with a wellspring of information and advice on choosing the right car seat for your little one.
Installing Your Child’s Car Seat
Before starting, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s installation guide so that you can better understand the car seat and how it should be installed. Along with following the installation guide that comes with the car seat, the NHTSA also provides some helpful safety tips for a successful installation.
Did you know that once you have your car seat in-place that you can have it inspected to make sure that it’s properly installed? This can provide families with the peace of mind that they need to know that their child is safe every time they buckle up.
From booster seats to booster shots, you must be doing everything possible to keep your child healthy and safe. This also means finding quality pediatricians that you trust to provide you with the tips, advice, and care to support your child’s health.

How can I tell that it’s chickenpox?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Body aches
- Loss of appetite
How is chickenpox treated?
- Applying calamine lotion
- Making sure that your child is drinking enough water and staying hydrated
- Soaking in a bath with baking soda for 20-30 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain
- Applying cold compresses to the rash
- Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (talk with your pediatric doctor first before giving your child any medication)
Should my child see a doctor?
- Your newborn is showing signs of chickenpox
- Your child’s fever goes away and then comes back
- Your child has a high fever
- Some areas of the rash are getting larger or are painful (signs of infection)
Is there a way to prevent chickenpox?
If you want to protect your child against the chickenpox, then talk to your pediatrician about getting them vaccinated. Your child has enough to worry about, without chickenpox being one of them.

- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Fatigue
- Easily winded, especially after exercise
- A persistent cough that usually gets worse at night or after activity
- Chest tightness or congestion
Visit the pediatrician often
Even if your child’s symptoms seem to be well managed through medication and lifestyle it’s still important that you bring them into the pediatrician’s office for regular care. Your pediatrician will be able to evaluate whether their current medications are fully controlling your child’s symptoms. If symptoms aren’t improving, you should also see your pediatrician right away.
Create an asthma action plan
It’s important that you and your child’s doctor sit down and create a detailed asthma action plan that will outline how you are managing your child’s symptoms and what to do in case of an asthma attack. Within the action plan, you will include the ways in which you are currently controlling your child’s asthma as well as symptoms to look for regarding a flare-up or attack, and when to see a doctor for care.
Alter your child’s lifestyle
It’s important to talk with your pediatrician about your child’s asthma triggers. By determining what triggers their allergies (e.g. pet dander; pollen) you can also figure out ways to avoid these allergies. Avoid household products or certain chemicals that may cause asthma to flare up. Bathing pets weekly, keeping the house clean and avoiding letting your child play outdoors on high pollen days are all ways to reduce allergen exposure in your asthmatic child.
If your child is displaying symptoms of asthma, or if their symptoms aren’t being properly controlled, call our pediatric practice today to schedule an immediate evaluation. We can provide you with a customized treatment that will make your whole family breathe a little easier.
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