Vaping among teens is nothing short of an epidemic. According to the CDC, nearly 20 percent of high school students and 5 percent of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2020. With appealing flavors like candy and bubble gum marketed to children, combined with peer pressure, it can be challenging to say no. Awareness and communication are vital tools in … [Read more...]
When Should My Child Learn To Swim?
Spring has sprung, and we’re all dreaming of summer fun. Community and private pools will be opening soon, and we’re planning family trips to lakes and beaches. But if children can’t swim, our favorite summer activities can become sources of stress and danger. Swim lessons are one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. According to the CDC, drowning is the … [Read more...]
How Do I Know If My Adolescent Has Anxiety?
We’re living in stressful times, and our kids are feeling it. Last fall, a coalition of leading pediatric medical groups declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. We know that many of the stresses our children are experiencing were in place before the pandemic. However, social isolation and a sense of loss have added to existing mental health … [Read more...]
Inclement Weather Notice: Monday, 2/1/21
Due to possible inclement weather forecasted for Monday, 2/1/21, our offices may either be closed or have alternate hours. Please check back here on our website or on Facebook for updates on LPA office hours. If you have an appointment for Monday and wish to reschedule, please call our offices for assistance: Lansdowne: 703.723.7337 Purcellville: … [Read more...]
Rounding on Newborns
Dear Parents, After careful consideration, it was decided that LPA will no longer round on newborns at Inova Loudoun Hospital effective October 1, 2020. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, we felt that our patients would be best served by us focusing on providing care for them in our office, and having more availability for early morning and weekend … [Read more...]
Is the Corona Virus a Threat to My Child?
Click here to read the latest LPA updates regarding COVID-19 As Coronavirus makes headlines and makes its way to the Mid-Atlantic, local families are understandably anxious. For most parents, the big concern is whether their kids are at risk for infection. Coronavirus is proving tricky to get a handle on because the illness manifests so differently in different … [Read more...]
Flu Concerns – Can My Child Die from the Flu?
The death of a Leesburg teen from the flu this February has rocked our community and created extra anxiety for parents this winter. For most children, the flu is a serious but very manageable diagnosis best treated with fluids and rest. But when complications hit close to home, it’s reasonable to experience fear and concern. According to the American Academy of … [Read more...]
How Can I Keep My Child Active This Winter?
Are your kiddos bouncing off the walls this winter? Or retreating to their rooms with devices? When it’s cold outside, it’s tempting to want to hunker down and camp out on the couch, but it’s so important for kids (and all of us) to stay active all winter long. From unstructured play to finding new sports, here are some tips for keeping kids moving when the thermometer … [Read more...]
Do You Need an Antibiotic to Treat an Ear Infection?
Did you know that ear infections are the number one reason parents take their children to the doctor? They’re often the first illness a baby or toddler gets. They can be painful, and it’s so hard for parents to see their little ones suffer. But ear infections don’t always require antibiotics. While we have a natural tendency to want to leave the pediatrician’s office with … [Read more...]
When Is It Okay to Leave My Child at Home Alone?
As parents, we want our kids to be independent and self-sufficient, but we also want to make sure they’re safe. While we may be a little nostalgic for our own free-ranging childhoods, we know that times have changed and expectations are different in the 21st Century. Still, most children are perfectly fine to be alone at home for short periods by the time they reach middle … [Read more...]