Asthma Management

About 1 in 12 children live with asthma, and it is one of the most common reasons why children are absent from school, go to emergency rooms, or are admitted to hospitals. Having a child with asthma can be overwhelming and can be an adjustment to learn how to care for your child but asthma care will quickly become a regular part of your family’s routine. Helping your child know what triggers his asthma and using preventative medication (if needed) ensures that your child will grow up healthy, energetic, and strong!

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease of inflammation and constriction of the airways.  In susceptible individuals, inflammation causes recurrent episodes of coughing (particularly at night or early morning), wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. When your child has asthma, the airways become swollen (inflammation).  The swelling causes the airways to make thick secretions called mucus.  Asthma can also cause the muscle surrounding the airways to get very tight (constriction).  Inflammation, mucus, and constriction will all cause your child’s airway to narrow and it becomes very hard to get air into and out of the lungs.  Environmental factors play a critical role in asthma recognition and management.

Who gets asthma?

Asthma is the most common serious chronic illness of children.  Factors that may increase a child’s risk for asthma includes other family members with allergies, asthma or eczema, infectious, exposure to different allergens, tobacco exposure, and exposure to pollution.  Children with other types of allergic disease (food allergy, seasonal allergies, or eczema) have a higher likelihood of developing asthma.  Children with a history of bronchiolitis are also at higher risk for developing asthma.

What are symptoms of asthma?

Some symptoms can appear quickly and others develop over time.  A cough may be the first and sometimes is the only asthma symptom.  Other symptoms include: wheezing (high pitched musical sound), difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath, chest tightness, reduced exercise tolerance, cough with exercise, night time awakening due to cough or wheezing, chronic cough.

What is an asthma “attack”?

In an asthma “attack,” the airways can spasm and become narrower causing more severe symptoms.  Your child may breathe so fast that he or she may have trouble talking.  The inner lining of the airways becomes swollen, and the outer muscular lining of the airways constrict, making breathing labored. 

How do you manage asthma?

Depending on the frequency and severity of your child’s symptoms, your child’s doctor will prescribe medications to minimize symptoms and maximize your child’s ability to participate fully in life. Besides medication, avoiding those triggers that are avoidable (such as cigarette smoke) can help reduce the need for medication. Your child’s doctor might also recommend allergy testing to see if allergy plays a significant role in your child’s asthma.  While there is no one perfect medicine that controls all asthma, most children’s asthma can be well controlled to minimize symptoms and maximize your child’s ability to take part in things he enjoys. We also want to make sure your child’s symptoms are well controlled at school and that he has any needed rescue medications at school. If you have questions about your child’s asthma, please call your child’s doctor or set up an appointment so that he or she can examine your child and answer your questions fully for you.

Are flu vaccines recommended in children with asthma?

All children should get their flu vaccine every year.  However it is especially important for children with asthma to get their flu vaccine every fall to reduce their risk of getting the flu.  Children with asthma who get the flu may develop inflammation in their airways that can lead to asthma attacks, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases that can result in hospitalization.  

Click on the following links to learn more about asthma, its management, and prevention:

Click on the following links for helpful videos from the American Lung Association

Additional resources for parents

Resources for physicians

After Hours Facilities

After Hour Urgent Care Facilities

The pediatric urgent care clinics listed below are open weekends and weekday evenings to see sick children for urgent matters.

Benefits of Urgent Care

  • Primarily staffed by pediatricians
  • Equipped to handle non-life-threatening situations
  • Fast and cost-effective alternative to the emergency department.

Comparing Urgent Care and the Emergency Department

Time: Urgent care visits average 30 minutes vs. 2 hours, 15 minutes for the Emergency Department

Cost: Urgent care visits average $50 – $150 vs. $1,233 at the emergency department.

For patients with insurance, a copayment will almost always be higher for emergency department visits than for urgent care visits.

Children’s Health PM Urgent Care

Dallas

5060 Southwestern Medical Ave
Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: 844-4CHILDRENS

Flower Mound

2650 Flower Mound Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
Phone: 972.645.6767   Fax: 972.645.6768

McKinney

8880 State Highway 121
McKinney, TX 75070
Phone: 469.342.6767   Fax: 469.342.6769

Prosper

1300 Children’s Way
Prosper, TX 75078
Phone: 469.303.5000   Fax: 214.867.9511

The Colony

5151 State Highway 121
The Colony, TX 75056
Phone: 214.488.5437   Fax: 214.488.5438

Richardson

1291 W. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972.449.7677   Fax: 972.449.7678

University Park

6805 W Northwest Hwy
Dallas, TX 75225
Phone: 469.905.5437  Fax: 469.905.5439

Urgent Care for Kids

Dallas

Address:
11661 Preston Road, Suite 120
Dallas, TX 75230

Phone:
(214) 363-7242

Hours:
Weekdays: Noon – 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Frisco

Address:
11550 Legacy Drive, Suite 420
Frisco, TX 75034

Phone:
(972) 731-7700

Hours:
Weekdays: Noon – 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Garland

Address:
7150 N President George Bush Hwy, Suite 100
Garland, TX 75044

Phone:
(214) 919-3170

Hours:
Weekdays: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

McKinney

Address:
1872 N. Lake Forest Drive
McKinney, TX 75071

Phone:
(214) 592-0701

Hours:
Weekdays: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Plano

Address:
7212 Independence Pkwy, Suite A
Plano, TX 75025

Phone:
(972) 618-2493

Hours:
Weekdays: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM


Pediatric Emergency Departments

The emergency department is meant for the following:

  • Life-threatening situations
  • Serious and sudden medical conditions
  • Trauma

If you or a loved one is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 or find safe transportation to the emergency department near you.

Medical City Dallas Hospital
7777 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
972-566-7000

Children’s Medical Center in Dallas
1935 Medical District Drive
Dallas, TX 75235
214-456-7000

Children’s Medical Center at Legacy in Plano
7601 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75024
469-303-7000

Patient Handouts


Developmental Learning Activities

Cognitive Development

Language Development

Fine Motor Development

Gross Motor Development

Social Emotional Development

New Baby

New Baby

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby! While this should be a joyful time, it can also be intimidating to care for a baby. You may be filled with first-time worries and wonders about newborn care, and babies do in fact have health issues that are different from older children or adults. Thankfully, many of these issues are quite innocent, and you will gain confidence quickly in your new role as a parent. The pediatricians and staff of Forest Lane Pediatrics want to guide you in this journey.

Click on the links below to learn more!

About My Baby

Breastfeeding Library

Calming a Fussy Baby

Newborn Care

Tips for Breastfeeding Success

Sleep Training

Flat Head Prevention

Video Library

Forest Lane Pediatrics Video Library

Welcome to the Forest Lane Pediatrics Video Library. We hope that our videos are informative and educational. Our offices are located in Dallas, Frisco and Mesquite.

 

How to Swaddle a Baby

A wonderful video of Dr. Damien Mitchell from Forest Lane Pediatrics demonstrating the Five S’s from Dr. Harvey Karp’s “Happiest Baby” Method for Baby Sleep and Soothing. The Five S’s are:

  1. Swaddling
  2. Sucking
  3. Side lying
  4. Swaying
  5. Shooshing

 

 

Asthma Management

For more information about Asthma, visit our Asthma Management page.

 

Sleep Training

 

Car Seat Safety

COVID-19 Precautions

 

Diet and Exercise

 

Eczema

 

 

Common Rashes

 

 

Screen Time

 

COVID 19 Vaccine – PSA

 

Image Library

Image Library of Skin Rashes in Children

Skin rashes are a common occurrence for children and a frequent source of frustration for parents. This image library of common childhood rashes is intended to be a resource for parents, however the information found on this page is not intended to be diagnostic or replace the advice of a physician. For information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of a rash, please consult your pediatrician.


  • Acne

  • Chicken Pox (Varicella)

  • Cradle Cap

  • Eczema

  • Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

  • Heat Rash

  • Herpes Simplex

  • Impetigo

  • Molluscum Contagiosum

  • Ringworm

  • Unilateral Laterothoracic Syndrome

  • Urticaria (Hives)

  • Ringworm (Tinea corporis)

  • Baby Acne

  • Diaper Rash

  • Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome

  • Herpangina

  • Milia

  • Pityriasis Rosea

  • Warts

  • Roseola Infantum

  • Yeast Diaper Rash (Candida)

Office Artwork

Office Artwork

The Art of Medicine

Artwork of Ryker and a drawing by Ryker of Dr. Blair

Forest Lane Pediatrics Presents a Special Series of original art by a local artist and our patients.

There is nothing in the world more beautiful than a child’s smiling face and nothing more captivating than a child’s imagination. Through a partnership with a local artist Forest Lane Pediatrics displays both through the halls of its Dallas, Plano and Mesquite offices. We commissioned a local artist to sketch portraits of 24 (12 in Dallas and 12 in Plano) of Forest Lane’s patients. The patients then sketched a portrait of their doctor and both pieces of art are displayed together in the halls of each office. The juxtaposition of beauty and whimsy is truly captivating and worth your time the next time you visit either office.

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Web Resources

Web Resources for Parents

Here are some helpful web resource links for our parents:

After Hours Clinics

Children’s Health PM
Urgent Care for Kids

General Pediatrics

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
CDC Traveler’s Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Home Page
Kid’s Health
Use and Care of Home Humidifiers

Expecting Parents

Prenatal Articles
Cord Blood Registry
Pediatrix Supplemental Newborn Screening
Viacord Cord Blood Preservation

Breastfeeding

Tips for Successful Breastfeeding
Dallas Area Breastfeeding Alliance
KellyMom.com

Vaccinations

National Network for Immunization Information
CDC Vaccine Home Page
CDC Vaccine Info for Parents
Vaccine Education Center – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Childhood Immunization Support Group Home Page
CISP – Why Immunize?
Every Child By Two

Nutrition

Culturelle — Lactobacillus dietary supplement
Environmental Protection Agency: Guidelines for safe consumption of fish and shellfish
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Keep Kids Healthy
Kids Eat Great

Child Development

Early Childhood Intervention
Child Development

Child Care

National Association for the Education of Young Children
Texas Child Care Search

Common Concerns

FlavoRx – We make medicine a lot less yucky!
Kids Growth
The Baby Corner

General Health Information

Mayo Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Web MD

Safety/Car Seats

Car Seats for the Littles
NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Program
Seat Check

Special Needs

Dallas Services S.N.A.A.P.
Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas
Exceptional Parent Magazine
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

West Nile Virus/Mosquito Bites

Centers for Control: Fight the Bite!

Friends of Forest Lane Pediatrics

Frisco Women’s Health
Frisco OB-GYN: Dr. Jonathan Weinstein, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the Frisco area.
Plastiks for Kids: Dr. Christine Stiles is a Plastic Surgeon for children who has offices in Plano & Frisco
Blue Fish Pediatrics: A Pediatric practice in Houston, TX

Coupons

Internet Drug Coupons

Fun Stuff

PBS Website
Starfall Early Reading Website

Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading for Parenting

Recommended Reading for Parenting from Forest Lane Pediatrics

A Parent’s Guide to Down Syndrome: Toward a Brighter Future, Revised Edition
Siegfried M. Pueschell M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

Babies with Down Syndrome. A New Parents’ Guide. Second Edition
Karen Stray-Gundersen

Caring for Your Adolescent Ages 12 to 21
Donald E. Greydanus, M.D., F.A.A.P.

CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD BIRTH TO AGE 5
Steven P. Shelov, M.D.,

Caring for Your School Age Child: Ages 5-12 (Child Care)
Edward L Schor, M.D., F.A.A.P., Editor in Chief

Gross Motor Skills in Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome)
Patricia C. Winders, P.T.

Guide to Your Child’s Nutrition
William H. Dietz, M.D., PH.D., and Loraine Stern MD

Guide to Your Child’s Symptoms
Donald Schiff, M.D. and Steven P Shelov, M.D.

Mom’s Guide to Your Kid’s Nutrition (Mom’s Guides)
Vicki Poretta and Marcela Kogan

New Mother’s Guide To Breastfeeding
Joan Younger Meek, MD, MS, RD, FAAP and S. Tippins

On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep
Robert Bucknam, MD and Gary Ezzo

Parenting With Love and Logic
Foster Cline and Jim Fay

The First Twelve Months of Life: Your Baby’s Growth Month by Month
Frank Caplin

The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Sleep Longer
Harvey Karp, MD

Your Child’s Health: The Parents’ One-Stop Reference Guide to: Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems, and Healthy Development
Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Here are some helpful web resource links for our parents

After Hours Tip Sheet

After Hours Tip Sheet

This sheet has been designed to help you with questions, which may arise when our office is closed, and to help distinguish between what is an urgent and non-urgent medical problem with your child. Our doctors are always available for urgent questions. However, please respect the doctor’s family life and hold non-urgent calls for business hours; your consideration is greatly appreciated.

To schedule an appointment, call during business hours.

Review this information before calling the doctor to determine if a call is required. For advice related to issues not covered in this handout, visit the “Children’s Health Library” link on our website. Also, check the availability of an insurance company operated after hours triage service. This number may be found on the back of your insurance card. The following information is divided into topics based on symptoms.

Important resources:

Website: www.healthychildren.org

Poison Control 800.222.1222


FEVER

Fever is a normal response by your body to various causes (i.e., infections, vaccines). Fever can make a child feel uncomfortable, but it can be beneficial; fever helps the body fight infection, turns on the body’s immune system, and may help shorten the course of the illness. Our group defines fever in a child older than 3 months as a temperature ≥ 101ºF. There are many ways to take temperature including under the arm (axillary), rectally, orally, in the ear, or with a temporal scanner. Keep track of your child’s actual temperature and how you take the temperature. If your child has a fever, we recommend treating the fever only if the child is uncomfortable. In most cases the anti-fever medicine (i.e., ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) and acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Feverall®) will only bring the child’s temperature down 1º-2º degrees. For example, if your child has a 104ºF temperature, we expect the fever to drop to 102º-103ºF with medication. As an adjunct to fever reducers, you can give your child a tepid (water temperature of 85º-90ºF) bath. In certain circumstances, fever can be a sign of a more serious illness. Notify the on-call physician of your child’s fever if it meets one of the criteria listed below.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is younger than 3 months with a rectal temperature >100.4ºF
  • If your child has a very high fever (>104ºF)
  • If your child is inconsolable or unresponsive despite giving an adequate dose of a fever reducer

Fever reducers are only designed to make your child more comfortable. It will NOT stop your child from having a fever.

On average, fever reducers take up to one hour to work. Acetaminophen can last as long as 4-6 hours and can be safely given at any age. Ibuprofen can last as long as 6-8 hours and can be safely given to children ≥ 6 months of age.

With over-the-counter cold medicines, avoid preparations, which also contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen in order to minimize the chance of overdosing on a fever-reducing agent.


IMMUNIZATION REACTIONS

When your child receives vaccines, it is quite common for him/her to have fever, discomfort, swelling and redness around the injection site. For more information about shot reactions, consult the vaccine handout you received in the office.

In most cases shot reactions are not emergencies.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is unresponsive or has a fever >105ºF after the immunization
  • If the immunization site is very swollen, greater than 3 inches in size, or has a red streak running from the injection site

PRESCRIPTIONS AND ANTIBIOTICS

In the best interest of a sick child, an examination should always be done first before any medication, if warranted, is prescribed. If you are concerned about your child’s illness and think your child cannot wait until the morning to be evaluated, take your child to an emergency room or urgent care center. Should issues arise with a refill request, please call during regular business hours when we are best able to handle these requests.


VOMITING

There are many illnesses that will cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. These illnesses are commonly referred to as viral gastroenteritis. In most cases, children do not need to be seen immediately for these symptoms. The most important thing you can do is keep your child hydrated. The best way to keep small children (< 3 years old) hydrated is with an oral rehydration liquid (i.e., Pedialyte®). Older children can take water, flat ginger ale, or Gatorade®. Avoid red or green colored drinks for it may artificially make the vomit appear to be bloodstained or bile-stained. Also avoid drinks high in sugar such as apple juice. If your child has begun to vomit, let him/her rest for 1-2 hours to allow the stomach to settle then start with small sips of liquids (i.e., 5cc every 5 minutes for 1-2 hours). Some children will continue to vomit but in most cases the frequent small amount of liquid will keep them hydrated.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is unable to keep liquids down for several hours (6 hours for infants or 12 hours for older children)
  • If your child is having severe pain in his/her stomach with vomiting
  • If the vomit has blood or is green in color

If your child is unresponsive or appears very dehydrated (sunken eyes, not urinating for > 8 to 12 hours, and if your child is > 1 year old)


DIARRHEA

As with vomiting, diarrhea is most often caused by a viral gastroenteritis. The key is to keep your child hydrated with water. Avoid juices (especially apple, pear, or prune juice) or any drinks high in sugar for these types of drinks can worsen diarrhea. For formula-fed infants, continue normal feeds. In older children (> 1 year old), give more starchy foods (rice, bread, plain pasta). In most cases, diarrhea is not an emergency and can be addressed during office hours.

We do not recommend any medication to stop diarrhea. Such medications may prolong the illness.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is having bloody stools
  • If your child is unresponsive or appears very dehydrated (sunken eyes, not urinating for > 8 to 12 hours, and if your child is > 1 year old)

COUGH

A cough is a normal response to most upper respiratory infections. With a few exceptions, you can treat your child at home. Please refer to our website for more information. Medication, if warranted, will be prescribed after your child has been evaluated.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is having trouble breathing or is breathing rapidly
  • If your child has asthma or reactive airway disease and his/her breathing is not responding to breathing treatments given every four hours

NASAL CONGESTION

As with a cough, children may suffer from nasal congestion or a runny nose with colds. Nasal congestion is not an emergency. Visit our website for more information.


EARACHE AND SORE THROAT

In general, both earaches and sore throats are not emergencies but may need to be seen in the morning. Antibiotics, if warranted, will be prescribed after your child has been evaluated. If you feel that your child cannot wait until the morning to be seen, then take him/her to an urgent care center. In the meantime, pain relievers and warm compresses may provide comfort. For an older child with a sore throat, try having him/her gargle with a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water for temporary relief.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child’s sore throat includes other symptoms: excessive drooling, severe difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or being unable to open his/her mouth fully.
  • If your child’s earache includes other symptoms: stiff neck, loss of balance when walking, or redness and swelling behind one ear in comparison to the other ear.

RASH

In most cases, rash or unusual skin changes are not emergencies and cannot be diagnosed over the phone. If you are concerned about a rash, please call during regular office hours. If your child has recently started a medicine and develops a rash, stop the medication and call our office in the morning.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child is inconsolable or unresponsive or with a high fever (>104ºF) and also has a new rash. This situation is considered an emergency. We recommend that your child be seen immediately in an emergency room or urgent care facility
  • If the rash is purple/blood-colored spots, or bright red and tender to touch, or red streaks that is spreading, or appears like a burn
  • If the rash is associated with swollen lips, swollen tongue, difficulty breathing, or abdominal pain, go to the emergency room, as this may be a severe allergic reaction

PINK EYE

Conjunctivitis is commonly referred to as pink eye. Pink eye does not require immediate therapy in most cases. If your child has developed redness in the eye or discharge from the eye, please call our office during business hours. Until your child is seen, you can treat the eye with warm compresses or artificial tear drops (available at most drug stores). The teardrops can be used as often as needed to irrigate away the discharge. Remember, conjunctivitis may be contagious, so wash your hands after caring for your child. Medication, if warranted, will be prescribed after your child has been examined.

When to call the on-call doctor:

  • If your child sustained trauma to the eye
  • If your child is unable to see from the eye or complaining of severe pain
  • If your child cannot open his/her eye because of eyelid swelling, wipe away any discharge with a warm washcloth to help the eye open

ACCIDENTAL INGESTIONS

Please call the poison control number 800.222.1222 for all accidental ingestions. They are best equipped to answer all your questions.


INJURIES

Please refer to our website for further information. In general, if your child sustained a severe injury, you will need to bring him/her to an emergency room or urgent care center. A diagnosis can only be made after an evaluation of your child. The on-call doctor in most cases will only be able to give recommendations as to whether your child needs to be seen immediately or if it can be addressed during our regular hours.


CONSTIPATION

Constipation is not an emergency and can be addressed during office hours. To minimize the occurrence of constipation, provide a well balanced diet to your child and make certain your child is well hydrated.

– Again, this sheet is just an aid for you after hours. If you are still uncomfortable in managing your child’s illness after hours after reviewing this information, please call us. —


PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOMS

Medical City Dallas Hospital (972-566-7000)
7777 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75230

Children’s Medical Center in Dallas
1935 Medical District Drive
Dallas, TX 75235
214-456-7000

Children’s Medical Center at Legacy in Plano
7601 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75024
469-303-7000


Children’s Health Library

Children’s Health Library

Find age appropriate medical articles and videos, pediatric advice, health information handouts and recent news for parents, kids, and teens.

Articles From Our Pediatricians

Our pediatricians from Forest Lane Pediatrics post the latest pediatric health information.

Breastfeeding Library

A list of breastfeeding articles that can be downloaded and printed.

Illness and Disorders

Pediatric advice and children’s health information handouts.

Allergy Library

Read about the causes and treatments for allergies.

Medicine Dosage Charts for Children

Lists recommended dosages for over the counter (OTR) medications.
Tylenol® (Acetaminophen) and Motrin® (Ibuprofen) Drug Dosage Chart
If you are unsure about a dosage or have any further questions, please contact us.

Ages and Stages

Ages and Stages Developmental Screen at all well visits for children ages 2 months through 3 years.

Behavioral Issues in Children

ADHD Assessment

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Vaccines are available to immunize children for the following vaccine-preventable diseases.

Safety and Prevention

Fitness and Exercise

Children not only enjoy the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential to good health and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to think of their nutritional decisions as health decisions.

Emotional Health

Helping your child deal with the death of a loved one.

Oral Health

Healthy mouth and teeth are an important part of a child’s wellness.
Read about cavity prevention in children with our Fluoride Varnish Dental Treatments.

Pediatric Illnesses and Disorders

Pediatric Illnesses and Disorders

Forest Lane Pediatrics has provided convenient children’s health information handouts on Pediatric Illnesses and Disorders. Please click on the illness or disorder listed below for more information, as well as a printable copy you can download.

Vaccine Safety

Where did fear of vaccines come from?

We understand and appreciate the anxiety that many parents feel about vaccines. We are parents too and we also stress about making sure we are doing the best thing for our children. Regarding the fear of vaccines, scientific study has overwhelmingly shown that vaccines are effective, safe, and not related in any way to autism or other developmental disorders. The concern about vaccines and the possible relationship to autism began in 1998 when a British physician named Andrew Wakefield published a paper in the journal, Lancet; in which he hypothesized that the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine was the cause of autism in 12 patients he studied. As with all things in science and medicine, one study or paper does not confirm a theory so Wakefield’s hypothesis was tested and scrutinized by other scientists.

The idea that the MMR vaccine is associated with autism has proved false.

All subsequent study and research into the idea that the MMR vaccine is linked or associated with autism has proved his hypothesis false. In fact, the Lancet retracted his paper in 2010 due to the overwhelming evidence disproving his theory and the discovery that he had been paid by a law firm that intended to sue vaccine manufacturers – a conflict of interest he failed to disclose. Further research into his paper and methodology revealed that his “evidence” linking the MMR vaccine to autism was not just bad science, but outright fraud.

An investigation concluded that Wakefield altered the medical histories.

An investigation published by the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) in 2011 concluded that Wakefield altered or misrepresented the medical histories of all 12 patients whose cases were the foundation of his claim that the MMR vaccine caused autism. In their publication, the BJM wrote, “Who perpetrated this fraud? There is no doubt that it was Wakefield. Is it possible that he was wrong, but not dishonest: that he was so incompetent that he was unable to fairly describe the project, or to report even one of the 12 children’s cases accurately? No. A great deal of thought and effort must have gone into drafting the paper to achieve the results he wanted: the discrepancies all led in one direction; misreporting was gross.”

Fraud was discovered, but the damage was done.

Andrew Wakefield’s medical license was revoked once his fraud was discovered, but the damage from his papers and crusade against vaccines was already done. Despite mountains of scientific evidence, concern and fear about vaccines still persist.

Measles virus was officially eradicated in the United States in 2000, but due to pockets of unvaccinated persons, outbreaks continue to happen.

In 2014, 667 people contracted Measles in the United States, the greatest number of cases since the disease was eliminated in 2000. The good news is that the majority of people in the US do vaccinate, and as a result we often measure outbreaks in the hundreds and not in the thousands (whooping cough being an exception with more than 48,000 cases reported in 2012) so we rarely hear of or encounter the deadly diseases vaccines protect us against. Hopefully with increasing education about the safety of vaccines we will see vaccine rates rise and the number of outbreaks fall.

Read more about how Andrew Wakefield’s false claims created the vaccine-autism myth.

For more information about all things related to vaccines, check out the video series from the American Academy of Pediatrics titled, The Complete Guide to Childhood Immunizations.

For more information about Vaccines, visit the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Immunization Schedule

Immunization Policy

We believe that all children should be fully immunized per the vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), unless there are medical contraindications. We are unable to accept new patients/families unless they are willing to fully comply with Forest Lane Pediatrics’ vaccination schedule. We believe this policy advocates for children and their best interest, as well as protects our patients who are too young to be vaccinated. If you are transferring from another practice, you will be required to submit a copy of your child’s immunization record prior to scheduling your child’s first visit.

Read about where the fear of vaccines come from?

Click here for The Complete Guide to Childhood Immunizations course from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Forest Lane Pediatrics Vaccine and Immunization Schedule

Due to cost differences of vaccines in different cities, the Dallas, Plano and Mesquite offices follow slightly different vaccine schedules, however, both follow the guidelines set by the AAP.

Birth – 2 weeks

  • Hep B #1 – Vaccine against Hepatitis B

2 months

  • Pediarix
    • DTaP #1 – Vaccine against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
    • IPV #1 – Vaccine against Polio
    • Hep B #2 – Vaccine against Hepatitis B
  • HIB #1 – Vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type B, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia, ear infections, and meningitis
  • PCV #1 – Vaccine against Pneumococcus, a bacteria that cause pneumonia and ear infections
  • Rotarix #1 – Vaccine against Rotavirus, a virus that causes severe
    diarrhea

4 months

  • Pediarix
    • DTaP #2 – Vaccine against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
    • IPV #2 – Vaccine against Polio
    • Hep B #3 – Vaccine against Hepatitis B
  • HIB #2 – Vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type B
  • PCV #2 – Vaccine against Pneumococcus
  • Rotarix #2 – Vaccine against Rotavirus

6 months

  • Pediarix
    • DTaP #3 – Vaccine against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
    • IPV #3 – Vaccine against Polio
    • Hep B #4 – Vaccine against Hepatitis B virus
  • HIB # 3 – Vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type B
  • PCV #3 – Vaccine against Pneumococcus

9 months

  • No Shots

12 months

  • MMR #1 – Vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
  • Varicella #1 – Vaccine against Chickenpox
  • PCV #4 – Vaccine against Pneumococcus

15 months

  • DTaP #4 – Vaccine against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
  • HIB #4 – Vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type B
  • Hep A #1 – Vaccine against Hepatitis A

18 months

  • No shots

24 months

  • Hep A #2 – Vaccine against Hepatitis A

30 months

  • No shots

36 months

  • No shots

48 months

  • MMRV
    • MMR #2 – Vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
    • Varicella #2 – Vaccine against Chickenpox
  • Kinrix
    • DTaP #5 – Vaccine against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough
    • IPV #4 – Vaccine against Polio

11 years

  • MCV4 – Vaccine against the strains A,C,W and Y of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis.
  • TDaP – Booster vaccine against Tetanus and Whooping Cough
  • HPV #1 – Vaccine that protects against Human papillomavirus, a virus that causes cervical cancer, penile cancer, and genital warts.

12 years

  • HPV #2 – Vaccine that protects against Human papillomavirus, a virus that causes cervical cancer, penile cancer, and genital warts.

16 – 18 years

  • MCV4 – Booster vaccine against the strains A,C,W and Y of meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis.
  • Bexsero – 2 dose vaccine series with doses at least 1 month apart against strain B of meningococcal bacteria that causes meningitis.