Children have different healthcare needs than adults: physically, developmentally and emotionally. Our pediatricians are trained to prevent and manage health problems in infants, children, teens and young adults. In addition, Mercer Health offers a variety of services and specialties specifically for pediatric patients—from newborn care at the time of delivery, to well-child exams, to expert surgical services, to unique pediatric programs.
RSV is a respiratory virus that most commonly affects children under 2 years of age. For most children it causes cold symptoms; however, some children have more severe respiratory distress and can require hospitalization. Younger infants are higher risk for more severe illness.
Infant vaccination of a monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus) has been recommended for ALL infants under 8 months of age who are entering their first RSV season. In studies, this medication was shown to decrease risk of hospitalization by 85% and decrease intensive care hospitalization by 90%. Unfortunately, there have been supply shortages so our availability of this medication has been very limited. Locally, the Mercer County Health Department has had small amounts of it available at times. Regionally, there is a RSV Prevention Clinic at Dayton Children’s Hospital for interested families. Because the infant vaccination, Beyfortus, is not going to be readily available for most infants in our area this season, it is strongly recommended that pregnant women discuss the Abrysvo vaccine with their OB provider if they are nearing 32-36 weeks gestational age. This vaccine is available at the Mercer County Health Department. You can call 419-586-3251 to schedule.
Adult vaccination (Abrysvo) is given to pregnant women between 32-36 weeks gestational age (September through January as we are entering RSV season) to prevent severe RSV infection in their babies. When the pregnant mother receives the RSV vaccine, the antibodies against RSV are also passed to the baby. The vaccine can reduce the baby’s risk of hospitalization due to RSV by about 57% in the first 6 months of life. It is strongly recommended that pregnant women discuss the Abrysvo vaccine with their OB provider if they are nearing 32-36 weeks gestational age. This vaccine is available at the Mercer County Health Department. You can call 419-586-3251 to schedule.
RSV remains a viral infection, so for most children treatment includes supportive care. Suctioning your child’s nose regularly, small feeds more frequently, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen (only for children over 6 months of age) as needed are sufficient for most children. If you have any concerns you can also call your child’s primary care office for further guidance or an appointment if needed.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps our bodies make blood clots. We need blot clots to stop bleeding. Vitamin K is important for keeping bones healthy too.
Adults and older children get vitamin K from food such as green, leafy vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs. The healthy bacteria in our intestines, which make up our microbiome, also produce some vitamin K.
Babies, though, have very little vitamin K in their bodies at birth. This puts them at risk for bleeding. Fortunately, it’s easy to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding with a vitamin K shot. The injection is given in your baby’s thigh within 6 hours of birth.
Newborns who don’t get a Vitamin K shot and are low on the vitamin are are at risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). This happens when a baby’s blood can’t make clots, and their body can’t stop bleeding.
The bleeding can happen on the outside of the body. It can also happen inside the body where parents can’t see it. A baby could be bleeding into their intestines or brain before their parents know anything is wrong. Brain bleeding happens in about half of all babies who develop VKDB, and it can lead to brain damage or death.
There are three types of vitamin K deficiency bleeding:
Cases of VKDB seem to be increasing. This is partly because more parents are refusing the vitamin K shot for their newborns. VKDB is fairly rare, so many parents aren’t aware of how dangerous the effects of this disease can be.
Yes, vitamin K shots are very safe. The vitamin K from the injection is stored in your baby’s liver and released slowly over months. This gives your baby the vitamin K they need until they can start getting it from solid food and making it themselves.
You may have heard about a study from the 1990s about a possible link between the vitamin K shot and developing childhood cancer. This didn’t only worry parents; doctors and scientists were concerned too. Since then, experts have done many different kinds of studies to verify this link. None of the studies have ever been able to find that link again.
For more information on Vitamin K we encourage you to visit: Why Your Newborn Needs a Vitamin K Shot – HealthyChildren.org
Our pediatric providers want to see your child grow up healthy! Pediatric providers play an important role as your child grows and develops – guiding prevention and healthy habits, providing early and appropriate care for acute illnesses and treating more complex childhood conditions.
Many of the offices in the Mercer Health Medical Group (MHMG) network offer pediatric primary care. Mercer Health Medical Group Pediatrics, a completely dedicated pediatric office is located at Mercer Health’s Galleria Campus.
All providers at Mercer Health
The Vanan ENT & Sinus Center specializes in ear, nose, throat (ENT) and sinus disorders in children and adults. Dr. Suri A. Vanan provides many pediatric surgical services within our Surgery Center, including tonsil removal and ear tube placement.
Contact Vanan ENT & Sinus Center
Pediatric orthopedic services offered at Mercer Health include imaging, treatment, inpatient and outpatient surgery, rehabilitation, outpatient sports training and much more.
In 2022, Mercer Health’s Surgery Center completed more than 150 pediatric orthopedic surgeries.
More info about our Orthopedic ServicesMercer Health offers comprehensive rehabilitation services in affiliation with Community Sports and Therapy Center, consisting of Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy by a team of qualified therapists.
Learn more about our Rehabilitation and Therapy ServicesOur pediatric inpatient team works closely with our pediatricians and treats common childhood conditions, like infectious and respiratory illnesses, cares for injuries and helps patients recovering after surgery. Our pediatric care services are secure and offered in a child- and family-friendly environment, including a special pediatric treatment room.
Learn more about our Inpatient ServicesMercer Health’s Childbirth Center provides expert, compassionate care for new mothers, their babies and their families.
Learn more about our Childbirth CenterLearn more about our OB/GYN Services
Being a parent, new or seasoned, can be overwhelming. We have compiled resources to help answer some of parents most frequently asked questions.
MyChart is a free and secure online portal that provides information about your medical care and connects you to your health care team at Mercer Health. Schedule appointments, view test results, view medical bills, request prescription renewals and more.
We need some information in order to set up a MyChart account account. Use the link below to enter your demographics which we will use to verify your identity using questions from a third-party verification system. Once verified, you will be asked to set up a username and password.
Sign up for MyChart
Parents and caregivers can access and manage their loved one’s personal and family health information online by submitting a MyChart proxy access form. Proxy access to the patient portal means that an authorized individual, such as a family caregiver, a home health aide, a parent or guardian, an adult child, or a healthcare power of attorney, may view an individual’s patient portal.
The online proxy form for parents of an unemancipated minor patient or legal guardian of a patient under the age of 13 can be found here (you will be prompted to login):
Parent or Legal Guardian Proxy Request
If you are 13-17 years old, you may only request proxy access for a parent or legal guardian, and you should complete the form below.
Proxy form for patients 13 years of age and older to grant a parent or legal guardian proxy access can be found here (you will be prompted to login):
Online Proxy Request
Download a printable proxy request form:
Printable patient Request for Mercer Health MyChart Proxy Access
A fever is a rise in body temperature above what a normal temperature is for your baby. It is the body’s normal defense response against infection. How high a fever is does not always tell how sick your child may be. Your child can be just as sick with a fever of 100.3 degrees as 102 degrees.
Fever Info + OTC Pediatric Dosing Charts
If your child is breathing, but you suspect he may have swallowed something poisonous, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Keep this number posted by every phone.
Our pediatric primary care team has offices in locations throughout Mercer and Auglaize County. Below is a listing of our pediatric primary care providers. Other family practice providers (providers that can treat all ages of patients) and specialty pediatric providers can be found by searching our provider listing.
Mercer Health Locations All Mercer Health ProvidersIf you have questions about our pediatric services, contact Mercer Health Medical Group Pediatrics at 419-586-7940 or email us by filling out the “Contact Us” form.
