Seacoast MD

We all know children don't come with instruction manuals, but wouldn't it be nice if they did? Well, we can't offer you a manual, but the doctors at Exeter Pediatrics Associates have offered to help answer your questions. Twice a month, the doctors will take turns answering the questions that frustrate you as a parent, whether it's why can't I get my child to sleep, to why won't my child eat his vegetables, to why is vaccination important.

This month, Pediatrician Kristin Calcagni Johnson of Exeter Pediatrics answers some questions from parents.

 1) Why are peanut allergies so dangerous? Why do they seem more prevalent today? Peanut allergies are more dangerous than some other food allergies because of the small quantities that can trigger an allergic reaction.  Very small traces of peanut can trigger a severe reaction including life-threatening breathing problems.  Peanut exposure can be from peanut butter left on a surface or a food that was made in the same plant with a peanut-containing food.  The reason for the increasing prevalence is not clear.  The United States has one of the highest rates of peanut allergy in the world.  Although there is likely a genetic component to peanut allergy, the fully understanding of the increasing prevalence of peanut allergy is not yet clear.  There are many on-going studies looking at the timing of introducing peanuts into a child’s diet and the risk of peanut allergy.  Keep your eyes open for new information in the next few years. 2) What can parents and school officials do to address the problem of childhood obesity? Promoting healthy eating habits at home at an early age is a great start.  Toddlers can learn early to choose healthy snacks and are good at limiting how much they eat.  Having a kitchen stocked with healthy foods is especially important as children grow and begin to make their own food selections.  Think about all the things that your child puts into his/her mouth.  Drinks can make a big difference in your child’s health.  Pay attention to the extra sugar in juices (even 100 percent juice), sports drinks and sodas.  Set a goal of limiting calories that your child drinks.  Encourage healthy food choices and keep physical activities a part of your child’s daily schedule.  Lastly, talk to your child’s doctor for more specific recommendations.