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Where kids come first, The MCH newsletter |
March 2009 Vol. 3 - No. 3 |
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From the time our children are born food is paramount. From establishing a good breastfeeding regimen or
finding out which formula works best for your baby, to giving them their first taste of real food–should
we go with the pureed apples or carrots first?–to making sure they eat nutritious meals as they grow.
It's a challenge but as parents we rise to the occasion. However, sometimes the challenge becomes just
too overwhelming and complicated, such as in the case of eating and feeding disorders.
In these situations
rising to the occasion means going that extra
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mile to get up that mountain to the other side. At the Montreal
Children's Hospital our professionals specialize in guiding our parents to the top–every step of the way.
In this issue hear how one young teen struggling with anorexia overcame her disease against all odds and
how one young girl went from being fed through a tube to eating on her own, with ice-cream now at the top
of her list of delicacies.
Since it's Nutrition Month, we also thought we'd pack this issue with information on healthy eating, such
as mealtime survival tips and preventing childhood obesity. We also offer tips on how to raise a healthy child.
And did someone say "Facebook?" Who isn't talking about this social monster? So we have decided to jump
on the bandwagon and create our very own Montreal Children's Hospital Facebook page! Become a friend and
we won't disappoint, from news you can use to activities to access to this newsletter. Learn more below.
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MCH Eating Disorders Clinic helps free one young teen of her anorexia
After five years of sexual abuse, our hero Sara decided that she had enough of her chaotic,
young life that was also scarred by unstable and neglectful parents. Sitting on the floor of a
closed closet she decided that she would stop eating. Over two months she went from 180 to 90 pounds.
Read her story.
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With childhood obesity: prevention is key
Childhood obesity is on the rise. Dr. Laurent Legault, a pediatric endocrinologist at The
Montreal Children's Hospital of The McGill University Health Centre, estimates 10 to 15 percent of children in Quebec are obese. A person is obese when he or she weighs at least
20 percent more than a healthy weight based on the body mass index (weight/height ratio).
You should ask your pediatrician if your child is maintaining a proper weight.
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Food for thought
Many concerned parents will not drink in front of their teenagers in an effort to
discourage the practice, but some parents will disparage their own bodies or that of
their partner's without a second thought. Mothers who comment, "I'm so fat, it's disgusting,"
when they are anything but, and fathers who remark, "Honey, you look terrific, did you lose weight?"
can have a significant effect on an impressionable teenage girl.
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More Thin Kids Say, "I'm Fat"
North Americans often look in the mirror and think, "I'm fat." But a growing number are children, usually pre-adolescent
and adolescent girls, who aren't overweight but believe they are. Read more.
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11 Ways to Raise a Healthy Child
As a parent you are an important teacher on health care and health information for your child.
Here are 11 recommendations to help you succeed at this important job.
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Five mealtime survival tips for harried parents
You know that you and your kids need to eat right. But with your busy schedule, it seems tough some days
to make sure everyone has nutritious meals and snacks. Fast food is tempting, but the key is to incorporate
healthy eating into your lifestyle. Here are some timesaving tips for preparing nutritious meals for the whole family.
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For more articles on your children's health and well-being, visit the Health Info section of our website.
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Foundation of Stars honours Dr. Polychronakos
Dr. Constantin Polychronakos, Director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at the MCH, received the Career
Scientist Award of Excellence 2008 from the Foundation of Stars in recognition of his outstanding contributions
to the field of child health research.
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The Feeding Disorders Clinic of the MCH Pediatric Feeding Program helps one little girl eat without tubes
At a birth weight of 1lb. 15oz. (850 grams), Zola was an unimaginably tiny baby and she was diagnosed with
intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR (a condition where the baby does not grow at the normal rate in the
uterus.) Zola's condition made it almost impossible for her to eat and she needed to be tube fed. After
almost two years of a grueling bi-hourly feeding ritual, a new milestone was reached. Thanks to her parents'
determination and assistance from the innovative Montreal Children's Hospital's
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(MCH) Pediatric Feeding
Program, Zola finally took her first spoonful of food.
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Join the MCH Facebook community!
The MCH web site has moved up to Web 2.0 and with it comes our new Facebook page! Join the 100 fans who
are already part of the network and receive regular news about site updates, activities and as well as our
newsletter. See slide shows, photos from Chris Higgins' latest visit to the MCH for the launch of the
Trauma website and read messages from parents who have sent thanks to the hospital staff. To access the page,
enter http://www.hopitalpourenfants.com.
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MCH trains army medical personnel Soldiers from CFB Borden train here before deploying to Afghanistan
They are a little older, have crew cuts and lots of tattoos, but otherwise they look like any other medical
resident roaming the halls of The Montreal Children's Hospital. The big difference is when they finish their
rotation they won't be accepting a job at a clinic or CLSC, they will be deployed to Afghanistan this spring
as part of the military's medical corps.
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Health Canada Advises Canadians to Stop Using Cribs Sold under the Bambino Reale Furniture Name
Due to the potential for a serious fall-related injury, Health Canada is advising Canadians to immediately stop
using all cribs with the model
number 612C19CH by Bambino Reale Furniture, a subsidiary of Ragazzi Furniture.
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Give your doctor a check-up: Website allows patients to rate their physicians
Rate MDs.com is a website that gives people the chance to comment on the professionalism and bedside manner of their physician
or their child's physician. Over 180,000 doctors have been rated on the site including doctors from
The Montreal Children's Hospital.
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The Caring for Kids Radiothon is around the corner
On Thursday, April 30, the talented and dedicated broadcasters from Astral Media Radio's CHOM 97.7,
CJAD 800 and Virgin Radio 96 will host our annual Caring for Kids Radiothon to raise funds for the hospital.
Dozens of young patients and their families will share remarkable stories of how their lives have been changed
by The Children's. As in previous years, the event will be aired live from the hospital cafeteria, between
5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Since 2004, the Radiothon has raised over $10 million to respond to the hospital's most urgent needs.
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Mini Med School at The Children's Fall 2009
Location: Forbes Cushing Amphitheatre (D-182)
English lectures will be on Tuesday October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3 and 10
French lectures will be on Wednesday October 7, 14, 21, 28 and November 4 and 11.
The topics of the lectures will be posted soon. Registration will begin soon.
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