How Can You Get More Iron From Foods?

There are two ways to get more iron out of your diet, says Dr. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. First, you could eat more iron-rich foods, such as beef liver, lean meats, salmon, iron-fortified breakfast cereals, tofu, soybeans, dried beans, oatmeal, pumpkin and sesame seeds, spinach and enriched breads, rice and pasta. In addition, you could adopt a few of the following dietary "tricks" that give iron absorption a boost:

Eat a little meat when dining on iron-rich vegetables. Although the form of iron in plants isn't easily absorbed by humans, adding a bit of meat, such as a piece of grilled checken to bean burritos or a slice of marinated beef to a spinach salad, can significantly boost the iron "yield."

Add a good source of vitamin C to each meal. Top oatmeal with sliced strawberries, drink orange juice with iron-fortified cereal, toss red pepper strips into a whole-grain pasta dish or eat broccoli salad with a peanut-butter sandwich to pump up iron absorption.

Don't overdo tea and coffee beverages. Compounds called tannins found in tea and coffee tie up iron, reducing how much is absorbed.

- From the Kids' Nutrition Q&A, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

When compiling a checklist for the babysitter, here are some things to include, according to Dr. Teri Turner, a pediatrician at Texas Children's Hospital.

Start with your name, address (with the closest cross streets), home and cellular phone numbers, and pager. Note the name, address and phone number where you can be reached.

In case of an emergency, list the name and phone number of a trusted neighbor or close relative, along with the emergency phone numbers for police, fire and poison control. Also include the name and phone number of your child's doctor and local hospital.

Other important information is the location of the fire extinguisher and first-aid kits, a list of your child's allergies and special dietary or medical information, and details on your home security system.

Parents who are going out of town also might want to consider leaving a Permission to Authorize Emergency Medical Treatment note.

- From Texas Children's Hospital

Chickenpox Vaccine Urged to Prevent Complications

Parents who skip the chickenpox vaccine because they consider the disease harmless could be jeopardizing the health of their children.

What was once considered a ritual of childhood is a much more dangerous disease today, says Dr. Armando Correa, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine.

"Without question, there's been an increase in the mortality and serious complications in chickenpox. The secondary bacterial infections are getting stronger and more resistant to antibiotics," he says.

The Centers for Disease Control has reported that in the pre-vaccine era, approximately 4 million cases, with up to 9,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths per year, were attributed to the disease in the United States.

"In most cases, chickenpox is a mild disease. But the secondary infections that result in some children can be life-threatening," Dr. Correa says.

Though the vaccine for chickenpox has been available since 1995, national statistics show that less than half of the children under age 3 have been vaccinated. Health officials recommend that all healthy children over 12 months old receive the vaccine.

Complications from chickenpox include pneumonia, neurological problems, and secondary bacterial infections, including what is commonly referred to as "flesh-eating bacteria," Dr. Correa says.

Chickenpox, a highly contagious disease, is a problem throughout the year, but peaks in early spring.

A person who has chickenpox is contagious for up to two days before the rash appears and for up to five days after. The vaccine can help prevent, or at minimum reduce the symptoms, when given within three days of exposure to the disease.

Some parents may hesitate to vaccinate their children because of the cost, but Dr. Correa points out many parents can lose up to a week of work to stay home with a child who has the disease.

The vaccine is not yet part of universally required vaccinations, but the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended it become a requirement before daycare or school entry.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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