New guidelines were released in late 2011 to further promote childhood cardiovascular health. The new guidelines recommend ways to prevent the development of cardiovascular risk factors and optimize cardiovascular health starting with breastfeeding and emphasizing a diet low in saturated fat starting at age 1 year. The guidelines also encourage protection from tobacco smoke as well as regular physical activity. A significant change from previous guidelines is the new recommendation that all children be screened for high cholesterol at least once between the ages of 9 and 11 years, and again between ages 17 and 21 years. All Star will recommend this new cholesterol screening starting in January 2012 - a lab slip will provided to the families at the time of the well child visit.

For more information, please read:

Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health
and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents

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Gardasil, an HPV vaccine used at All Star Pediatrics since 2007, is now indicated for teenage boys. The vaccine was initially licensed for girls for the prevention of certain types of Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) that cause genital warts and cervical cancers. This year, the vaccine coverage has been expanded to a recommendation for all teenage boys, as well. "Why boys? I thought Gardasil is just for girls." HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in boys and girls/males and females - thus every sexually active person's dilemma! HPV may cause genital warts/cervical cancer in females and genital warts/penile cancer in males. Please ask your provider about Gardasil for your teen girl AND boy! Gardasil is recommended starting at age 11 and is administered in 3 doses. Think about it.....a vaccine that actually prevents certain types of cancer.....remarkable!!!!!

Please read the following links for more information:

HPV (Gardasil): What You Need to Know (Healthy Children)

HPV Vaccine: What You Need to Know (CDC)

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Child safety seats in automobiles have saved many lives over the past few decades. Each year, new and improved information on child car seat/booster safety is released based on extensive research. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics released new updated guidelines for the use of child safety restraints in automobiles. These new recommendations include:

- Toddlers should remain in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2 years.

- All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat, should use a forward facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer.

- All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

FFor more information, please use the following valuable link sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

AAP Updates Recommendation On Car Seats

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Parents - please note that in the next few months, Acetaminophen/ Tylenol Concentrated Infant Drops will no longer be manufactured in the United States. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT PRODUCT YOU MAY HAVE AT HOME AND THIS DOES NOT REPRESENT A RECALL!!!! The FDA has recommended moving to a single strength Acetaminophen/Tylenol Liquid preparation in the effort to reduce potential confusion between the two products and accidental overdose. Availability of a single-liquid Acetaminophen concentration of 160 mg per 5 ml will be used in children younger than 12 years of age.


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The Meningococcal Vaccine is an important adolescent vaccine that offers protection against a serious and potentially deadly form of bacterial meningitis. In the spring of this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control have now recommended a booster dose (second dose) for the Meningococcal Vaccine (Menactra). This first vaccine dose is routinely given at the 11 year well child visit at All Star Pediatrics. The booster dose of meningococcal vaccine is now recommended 3-5 years after the first dose. The providers at All Star Pediatrics have started the process of administering the meningococcal booster effective immediately at the yearly routine well child visits for our adolescents. For more information, this internet link has been provided:

AAP News About Meningococcal Vaccine

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An All Star Pediatrics basketball player wants a drink between quarters of her game - what is best? An Energy drink? A Sports drink? A bottle of Water? She is not sure - she has seen so many commercials for these products and her friends on the bus have talked about the drinks they have tried! How can we educate our young athletes with the correct information???

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a report about Sports and Energy drinks in this month's issue of Pediatrics. To learn more information, please use the following AAP link provided:

AAP Report About Sports and Energy Drinks
And remember....WATER is best!!!


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The Federal Drug Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have both warned families against the use of sleep positioners for their babies. There have been multiple reports of infant deaths associated with sleep positioners. The American Academy of Pediatrics and All Star Pediatrics strongly urge parents to stop using sleep positioners. Remember, the less in the crib, the better. Better sleep is BACK TO SLEEP! For more information, please see the link included below:

Healthy Children Article on FDA Warning
On Infant Sleep Positioners


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A crib is an important part of your infant's first two years. How safe is your crib? What safety measures are necessary for healthy sleeping?

Remember these very critical reminders from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Choosing a Crib

For the latest on recent crib recalls, please check the following link from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

CPSC on Crib Safety


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We encourage all of our families to call our office with updates for any personal information, new contact information, email addresses, work/cell phone numbers and insurance changes. We strive to have the most up-to-date information for all of our patient families in the event of a question or in case we need to contact you. Thank you for your assistance.

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All Star Pediatrics is GOING GREEN! More than 3 years ago, All Star Pediatrics began the use of our electronic medical record with the hopes of building better charts, more efficient office visits, state of the art immunization tracking and much more. In the process, we cut down immensely on the amount of paper our practice uses on a yearly basis! As well, in the summer of 2010, we have installed additional solar panels above the All Star roof allowing the office to operate with increased energy production from the sun. We would encourage you to check out our display monitor in the waiting room which provides information regarding our ability to harness the sun's rays, even in the winter! All Star shares your commitment to a more environmentally friendly community!!!



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Are you interested in breast feeding your baby? Not sure?

We welcome you to come to our monthly breast feeding classes (same information is repeated) provided by Mrs. Jill Schwartz, RN, CRNP, Certified Lactation Consultant.

Learn in an informal setting. Practical information is reviewed. Your questions are not only welcome but also helpful.

Don't miss out on how to feed your baby the very best!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 ~ 6:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 ~ 6:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 ~ 6:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 ~ 6:00-7:00 PM

If interested, please call (610) 363-1330 to register.

All classes are held here at All Star Pediatrics.


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