We asked CommunityCARE and KIDMED providers, across the state, to take time from their busy schedules and share their success stories. These stories are testimony to early intervention and active medical treatment significantly reduces the frequency and severity of many diseases and conditions. Through the conscientious work and dedication of our CommunityCARE and KIDMED providers, many lives are positively impacted! Please cheer with us as you read the success stories relayed by these caring providers.

2007

1. A child was seen for his regular KIDMED appointment. During the KIDMED exam the KIDMED nurse found that the child had an abnormal urine lab result, a speech delay and an abnormal vision exam.

The child was referred to his PCP for the abnormal urine findings and was diagnosed with a urinary track infection. He was referred to rehab center for the speech delay and is currently receiving speech therapy 2 times per week. He was also referred to an optometrist, who discovered that the child was farsighted and had astigmatism. The child was fitted for eye glasses immediately. He will be followed up by the optometrist this fall.

If the child had not had his four year old KIDMED screening with the appropriate screening tests these problems would have gone undetected.

2. A child visited a PCP as a new patient. She was complaining of headache, stomach pain, sore throat, and dizziness. The doctor did a physical exam and discovered that the child had an irregular heartbeat, she had extra beats that a normal heartbeat does not have.

The doctor referred the child to a pediatric cardiologist for further evaluation and treatment. The cardiologist saw the child the same day and admitted her to the hospital for further studies. The final diagnosis was Supraventricular Ectopy which means she was having extra heartbeats due to an anomaly in the heart tissue.

The child had a procedure done to destroy the abnormal heart tissue that was causing the extra beats and she has had no more problems with her heart. She continues to be followed by the cardiologist on a yearly basis.

3. A child had his newborn and two month KIDMED screenings at his PCP's office. At both screenings, the child had no abnormal findings. He went in for his routine four month KIDMED screening and was seen by the nurse practitioner. the nurse practitioner noticed respiratory difficulty and a heart murmur during the child's examination. She was not able to obtain a pulse oximetry reading (a reading of his oxygen level and heart rate) on the child and she asked the PCP to examine the child. The PCP suspected congestive heart failure and a possible ventricular septal defect which is a hole in the wall that divides the different chambers of the heart. They placed the child on oxygen and he was transferred to Our Lady of the Lake hospital via ambulance where he was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The child was discharged after two days with the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, respiratory distress, failure to thrive, and ventriculoseptal defect. He was later scheduled for surgery at Children's Hospital in New Orleans.

The child had not had signs or symptoms of any health problems prior to his four month checkup. Thanks to the child's 4 month KIDMED screening and astute provider, he is receiving the medical attention he needs to promote a normal life.

4. A child was seen at the PCP's office at nineteen days old. She was spitting up her formula and weight 6 pounds 9 ounces, which was less than her birth weight. Her formula was changed and her weight was monitored but she only gained a few ounces. The child was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a diagnosis of failure to thrive when her weight dropped to 6 pounds 6 ounces at 27 days old. She had an abdominal ultrasound which revealed she had pyloric stenosis which is a narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine which makes it difficult for food to pass through. Corrective surgery was performed the following day. The child had her two month KIDMED screening and weighed a healthy 11 pounds and 4 ounces. She was active and thriving at that visit. She is a true success story for the clinic.

5. A child was diagnosed with obesity during his twelve year old KIDMED screening two years ago. His provider, educated the child on nutrition and exercise. The child's body mass index was 34% at that time. The clinic scheduled a number of follow up appointments for the child between his twelve year and fourteen year old screening during which they monitored his weight and reinforced the teaching previously done and provided guidance and encouragement. At the child's fourteen year old KIDMED screening his BMI had decreased to 28%, a decrease of 5.3% over the two year period. His BMI is now normal for his age.

Due to the KIDMED teaching, screening, and follow up done along with the child's diligence in applying the education he was provided, The child's risk for juvenile diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were greatly reduced.