Sebastian the Odds Overcomes
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VOL.5 NO.1 Sebastian Overcomes the Odds Tummy Troubles When It’s More Than a Stomachache Struggling to Stay Dry? Help for Drier Nights and Days Listen Up! What You Need to Know about Ear Infections— page 9 MMCV5N1#H91314.12.inddCV5N1#H91314.12.indd 1 112/22/042/22/04 3:24:563:24:56 PMPM President and Chief Executive Officer Miami Children’s Hospital Thomas M. Rozek President Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Robin Reiter-Faragalli Director of Marketing & Public Relations Miami Children’s Hospital Marcia Diaz de Villegas Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation Ivette R. Diaz Editor Rachel Perry Dear Friends, Contributing Writers Stomachaches are a common part of childhood, and Ivette Diaz, Maria Moldes, Daniel Brantley, sometimes they require serious help. In fact, chronic abdominal Heather Durst, Lori Futcher, Jenny Havron, pain syndrome affects 10 to 15 percent of school-aged children Erin King, Sheryl K. Montle, Toby Pendergrass, between the ages of 5 and 15. For children suffering from this Jason Skinner disorder, as well as many others ranging from gastroesophageal Designer reflux disease to lactose intolerance, Miami Children’s Hospital Marianne R. Dunn offers help through the Division of Gastroenterology. Leading physicians conduct screenings and clinics to diagnose and treat Developed by Sthese conditions in children throughout South Florida. In this issue of Children’s Gazette, you’ll also read about (800) 624-7496 Sebastian Alfonso, who started walking under the watchful guidance of Miami Children’s Hospital’s neurosurgeons. Born MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL premature, Sebastian suffered from a severe case of cerebral palsy BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2005 that affected his muscle control. Now, the active 4-year-old is a Rene Murai, Esq.,Chairman walking, talking “pianist” who hopes to one day lead a symphony. Gary Gregory, Vice Chairman Our leading pediatric gastroenterologists and neurosurgeons— Deise Granado-Villar, MD, Secretary Georgina Angones; José A. Bengochea, MD; as well as our varied other specialists—continue to save lives Peter Bermont; Evalina Bestman, PhD; and achieve medical breakthroughs at Miami Children’s. And José A. Carro, MD; Miles Gilman; the world is taking notice. We are proud to sponsor the 40th Ghislain Gouraige Jr.; Manny Kadre; Annual Pediatric Postgraduate Course, which brings together Andrew Labbie, MD; Sarah Legorburu-Selem, MD; physicians from around the country. Juan Carlos Mas; Christian C. Patrick, MD, PhD; Gene Prescott; Thomas M. Rozek; While we’re advancing medical care for children throughout Moises Simpser, MD; Mario Trueba; the world, we’re also making them laugh. Our Big Apple Circus JoAnne Youngblut, PhD, RN; Clown CareSM (BAC) program adds a unique element to Miami Robin Reiter-Faragalli, Ex-Officio Children’s—helping our patients forget they’re in a hospital environment through laughter. MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION This is just a glimpse of the great works going on at Miami OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Children’s every day. We thank you for your continued support Mark Blank, Chairman in bringing our services to the community. Robin Reiter-Faragalli, President Sincerely, J. David Scheiner, First Vice President Alan Ojeda, Second Vice President William L. Morrison, Treasurer Thomas M. Cornish, Secretary Donald H. Altman, MD; Neil R. Chrystal; Jesus Diaz; Victor Lopez; Juan Carlos Mas; Kenneth J. Reilly; Christian C. Patrick, MD, PhD Susan M. Sibley; Eric W. Sulzberger; Ambassador CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER/SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR MEDICAL AFFAIRS David M. Walters; Teresa V-F Weintraub; Judy MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Weiser; Dawn White; Thomas M. Rozek, Ex-Officio 2Children’s Gazette winter 2005 MMCV5N1#H91314.12.inddCV5N1#H91314.12.indd 2 112/22/042/22/04 3:25:503:25:50 PMPM Born premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Sebastian Alonso underwent a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy at Miami Children’s Hospital. Today, the active and joyful 4-year-old counts Overcoming playing the piano among his favorite hobbies. theOdds PATIENT PROFILE: Sebastian Alonso orn on April 10, 2000, moved in a scissor-like motion, causing her son did that, and Sebastian has reaped Sebastian Alonso seemed to his body to droop close to the floor. the benefits as a result.” be in good shape. He was After a lot of research, encouragement A BRIGHT FUTURE 19.5 inches long, weighed from Sebastian’s physical therapist, Since undergoing his operation 3.5 pounds and spent only and a meeting with Glenn Morrison, last summer at the ripe age of 4, Sebastian Bfour hours on a ventilator—pretty MD, pediatric neurosurgeon on staff has started walking again—now with impressive for a baby born 11 weeks at Miami Children’s, Esther decided proper posture—and has hopes of one premature. But that was only the first selective dorsal rhizotomy could day running with his 18-month-old sister, test for young Sebastian. benefit her 4-year-old son. Rebecca, without his walker. He is fluent Before their son’s inaugural “Before I met Dr. Morrison, I was in Spanish and English, has a love of the homecoming, new parents Esther very nervous about the procedure,” arts, attends Miami Springs Elementary Rivera and Carlos Alonso were told Esther admits. “However, the way the and has started eating solid foods. Sebastian needed to see a neurologist. doctor explained it and his calm, friendly “There is not a word in the English During their visit, Sebastian was manner helped me relax, and I realized language to show how grateful I am for the diagnosed with a severe case of cerebral Sebastian would be in good hands.” surgery Sebastian underwent,” Esther says. palsy, a condition that causes difficulty PROCEEDING TO A BETTER LIFE “I want to say ‘Thank you, thank you, thank with muscle control. In Sebastian’s During selective dorsal rhizotomy, you,’ to all the staff at Miami Children’s who case, it would make it nearly a one- to two-inch incision is made in helped my son. It’s the best thing that could impossible to pass key milestones like the lower back. Through this hole, the ever have happened to him.” chewing solid foods and walking. surgeon can view the sensory nerve “A specialist in the community said fibers running from the muscles to my son would never be normal,” Esther the spinal cord. Those nerve fibers recalls, “so I never went to him again.” responsible for creating the muscle FUN FACTS ABOUT SEBASTIAN Instead, the Hialeah resident took tightness are cut, relieving tension in Sebastian to a rehabilitation center in FAVORITE SPORTS the affected limbs. The incision is then Soccer and baseball Miami, where she eventually learned closed with special surgical glue. of a procedure offered at Miami FAVORITE MUSIC “Sebastian was a good candidate to Classical Children’s Hospital that would change see positive results from the procedure FAVORITE HOBBIES Sebastian’s life forever. as he didn’t have an excessive amount Painting, playing the piano and computer games MOVING FORWARD of spasticity,” says Dr. Morrison. FUTURE OCCUPATION Only a little later than his peers, “For maximum benefit, patients have Orchestra or symphony conductor Sebastian learned to walk using a to undergo intense physical therapy walker. As he walked, Sebastian’s legs afterwards. Sebastian’s mom made sure winter 2005 Children’s Gazette3 MMCV5N1#H91314.12.inddCV5N1#H91314.12.indd 3 112/21/042/21/04 33:26:01:26:01 PPMM TakingonTum “Chronic abdominal pain is very common in children. Most of the time it does not represent a severe disease or illness.” —Jesse Reeves-Garcia, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist at Miami Children’s Hospital Waking your child up for ids get stomachaches • pain that awakens a sleeping child school, you hear those from all sorts of things including gastroenteritis • blood in stools or bloody words—again. “My tummy (stomach flu), milk or green vomit hurts.” You start asking intolerance or allergy, One or more of these signs may questions, “Do you feel like Kstress, changes in the diet and indicate a serious problem. You should intestinal blockage. While these can make an appointment with your child’s you’re going to throw up?” doctor as soon as possible. “Does it hurt anywhere be serious, common causes for benign stomachache include mild constipation BIG-TIME TUMMY ACHES else?” “Are you worried and overeating, especially sweet, high- Here are some stomach troubles about something at school?” fat, low-fiber foods. A few hours of that should be monitored and treated rest and an adequate amount of water by a doctor. WHY BEING SICK and fiber in the diet can be a quick fix Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) IS SOMETIMES OKAY for children’s stomachaches. happens when food backs up into According to a recent survey in If the pain doesn’t go away or the throat and irritates the lining of the British Journal of Cancer, children’s risk of reoccurs frequently, watch for the the esophagus. Physicians at Miami developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia drops following symptoms: Children’s Hospital can perform an by 20 percent or more if they experience four • pain comes and goes for endoscopy, a test that checks the or more common infections, including tummy trouble, before age 1. This is because exposure longer than one week lining of the stomach and upper to germs can help some potentially cancerous • pain when urinating gastrointestinal tract, or a pH probe immune cells grow properly. • your child also has a study. This test will evaluate the pH sore throat or cough level in the esophagus and determine • diarrhea continues for the severity of the condition. Some more than seven days cases of GER may be treated by • pain that is focused above modifying your child’s diet, while 4 or below the bellybutton others require medication prescribed • fever with severe pain by a pediatrician.