One tip: identify harmful products with “Mr. Yuk” stickers, (see above) created in 1971 by the Pittsburgh Poison Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
For immediate assistance and information regarding poisonous substances, contact the Poison Health Line at 1-888-222-1222. For non-emergency concerns, you can also connect online or call (912) 691-3600 for further guidance, or to set up an appointment.
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“We love Coastal Pediatrics! Never are rushed, always feel heard. NP Jessica is simply the best. Always takes her time with us and makes us feel important. The office is always clean, we never wait long, and all of the staff is exceptional. I highly recommend Coastal Pediatrics!”
SouthCoast Health on measles in Coastal Georgia area
In light of the recent announcement of active pediatric measles cases in Bryan County, SouthCoast Health medical experts are reminding patients of the following signs and symptoms of this virus:
High fever; Dry cough; Runny nose; Red, watering eyes; Tiny white spots inside the mouth, 2-3 days after initial symptoms; Large, flat spot rash, 3-5 days after initial symptoms.
Although measles is highly contagious, the risk of vaccinated people contracting measles is very low. That being said, measles can be serious and even deadly, especially for children younger than age 5.
If you suspect you or your child may have contracted measles, please call our offices prior to your visit so that we may prepare accordingly.
“This place is great! Took my son for immunization shots and Jana made him feel very comfortable and happy. Ms. Punam was very informative and very patient with my son. This place puts the care in healthcare. And to the friendly staff, this was a great start to our day. Thank you!”
SouthCoast Health medical experts share basic fever facts for adults and kids here including when to visit a doctor for a fever.
Is your child experiencing a sudden temperature spike or a fever that won’t go away?
SouthCoast Health primary care providers and pediatricians are available and ready to diagnose the cause and provide the best possible treatment as quickly as possible.
Measles is more than just a rash. It can lead to dangerous complications like pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), or even death, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
SouthCoast Health experts share how you can help prevent measles here as well as some of the most concerning complications associated with measles including:
About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract measles will require hospitalization.
In rare but tragic cases, 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children may die.
Measles can weaken the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to other infections like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal brain disorder that can appear years after recovery.
Experts @ SouthCoast Health Pediatrics share here the importance of getting your kids vaccinated against the flu. The flu can be especially tough on kids, but the good news is that the flu vaccine is the best way to protect them—and it’s not too late to get it.
The flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months and older.
Congratulations to SouthCoast Health pediatrician Dr. Amanda H. Hendricks on being named “Best Pediatrician” in the 2025 Best of Effingham Readers’ Choice Awards by Effingham Magazine.
This honor highlights Dr. Hendricks’ outstanding commitment to compassionate, high-quality care for her pediatric patients and their families at our SouthCoast Health Pediatrics office in Rincon.
Say “BOO!” to the Flu with SouthCoast Health Pediatrics.
Bring your child to a fun and healthy celebration for the fall season!
Join SouthCoast Health on Saturday, October 25th, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. at any SouthCoast Health Pediatrics location (Savannah, Richmond Hill, Rincon) for trick-or-treating and flu shots.
Kids are welcome to come in costume, and a parent or guardian must be present.
SouthCoast Health experts share tips here on how to keep kids healthy in the classroom
According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22 million school days are lost each year thanks to the common cold, and approximately 38 million school days are lost due to influenza.
Get SouthCoast Health’s tips on keeping your kids healthy here.
“Switched to this practice a year ago for my twins. I wish we didn’t waste five previous years with a different practice. EVERYONE at the office is amazing. They get you in same day for sick visits. You spend a very short time to be seen. Dr. Callan has been amazing on finally trying to help get my sons Asthma under control, without keeping him on unnecessary medication. The two NP I have seen have been wonderful as well. Beyond grateful to find such a great practice for my children.”
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In the article, Dr. Sirmans – a cheerleader for mothers navigating this often emotional and challenging experience of breast feeding – highlighted the many benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants, from helping with postpartum recovery to lowering risks for certain illnesses.
SouthCoast Health pediatrician Dr. Micah Riegner and primary care physician Dr. Danielle Mankin joined WTOC to share their insights on this important stage of care.
They discussed factors such as patient comfort, readiness to talk about adult health concerns, and the benefits of continuity with a pediatrician until age 21. Savannah local Mason Riegner also offered his perspective as a young adult navigating this transition.
Children who do not drink enough water, especially when engaging in physical activities, could experience dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. I
“The name of the game is hydration,” says Dr. Jenna Sirmans, a pediatrician with SouthCoast Health. “Youth athletes should begin hydrating at least an hour or two before practices or games. If you start hydrating while you’re at your practice or game, you’re already playing catch up in terms of maintaining your hydration. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends school-aged children drink four to eight ounces of water every 20 minutes, and for adolescents about nine to 10 ounces of water every 20 minutes while participating in athletics.”
Learn more about dehydration & youth sports including early signs of dehydration here.
Beginning Sept. 2, Dr. Riegner and the Savannah Pediatrics office will begin seeing patients at their new location at 815 East 68th Street, Suite B, Savannah, GA.
Dr. Riegner is expanding to see patients at the SouthCoast Pediatrics Richmond Hill location as well. Starting September, her new schedule is:
Because young students may not recognize the signs of vision issues in themselves, you can help by watching for certain indicators in your child. For instance, you may notice signs of eye strain such as squinting. Here are a few other reasons to schedule an eye exam for your child:
Sensitivity to light
Sitting too close to the TV
Holding books or devices near their face
Frequent eye rubbing or blinking
Turning their head to the side to see things
Chronic redness
Aside from these symptoms, you’ll also want to be on the lookout for any school-related changes that could point to vision issues. For example, if your student is struggling with reading or seems to have a shorter-than-usual attention span, these are potential signs of eye issues that could go overlooked.
Whether your child is showing signs of vision impairment or they’re due for a routine eye exam, the eye care specialists at SouthCoast Health are here for your family. SouthCoast Health optometrists can test your child’s vision using state-of-the-art equipment and can offer a range of corrective options if needed. See providers and their locations here, or schedule an appointment by calling 912.691.3600.
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From birth, people in the United States are fortunate to have vaccines against more than 20 other life-threatening illnesses available, which allow them to build immunity.
SouthCoast Health provides a closer look here into the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule for every age.
See the guide to recommended vaccines for children here.
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Like adults, young children should be receiving regular eye exams.
“Eye exams are more than just a way to determine whether your child may need glasses,” says SouthCoast Health optometrist, Edward D. Sammons, O.D. “They’re also a form of ongoing, preventive care.”
Some early eye problems, if left undetected and untreated, have the potential to affect vision for a child’s lifetime. Diagnosing and addressing an issue early on could prevent it from becoming a condition that’s more difficult to treat.
Learn when your child should have an eye exam here.
If you have a six years old or older child due for an eye exam, schedule an appointment with one of SouthCoast Health’s eye care providers by calling 912-691-3600.
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One of the best ways to productively spend downtime during summer is by scheduling a pediatrics appointment to complete a yearly check-up, SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. David Mozer said.
SouthCoast Health pediatricians say annual wellness exams are critical in maintaining the health and happiness of your child, and knocking these out during summer avoids many potential problems.
Location: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics – 89 Interchange Dr., Richmond Hill
Cost: $30
Note: A parent or guardian must accompany the patient.
If this date doesn’t work for your family, don’t worry! Sports physicals can often be included in your child’s annual Well-Child Visit, which is usually 100% covered by insurance. Just let your provider know you need a sports clearance, and they’ll handle both during the same appointment.