Dr. Niran Al-Agba

The Post-Partum Struggle: My Letter to Every First Time Mom

There are NO wrong decisions you make on behalf of your child. I know you are doing the best you can. I have been there; right where you are right now. After four children, I have made countless mistakes and learned so many lessons. There will be stumbles along the way. EVERY mother wants to throw the baby out with the bath water, run screaming from their house, and nap for 7 days straight without interruption sometimes. Those feelings are totally and completely normal.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:07:47+00:00June 12, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Mother, Parenting, Patient Physician Relationship|

When the Patient-Physician Relationship Can Be Transformative

Above is a picture of Garrett with me at my wedding (I am clearly more excited about it than he is!) My relationship with this young man, his sister, father, and especially his mother are the foundation of why I became a pediatrician in the first place. Filled with doubt in my darkest moments, his story of triumph always brings me comfort and hope. It reminds me there will be losses and saves, but the life-long, enduring R-E-L-A-T-I-O-N-S-H-I-P is what makes it all worthwhile.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:08:53+00:00June 11, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Burnout, Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship|

Furniture or TV Set Tip Overs

According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, a child dies every two weeks in this country from a tip over incident involving a TV, a piece of furniture, or a combination of the two. Every 24 minutes a child is admitted to the emergency room because of a TV or a furniture tip over.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:09:43+00:00June 10, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Child Advocacy, Child Death, Child Safety, Injury Prevention, Safety|

A Good Night: How to Train Your Baby to Sleep

I had a 4 year old, 3 year old, and an 18 month old when the baby arrived, and to be honest, I do not remember a thing from the time he was born until he was 3 months old. That summer was literally about survival, theirs and mine. Since we live in a three bedroom house, the baby slept in our closet until about 6 months, when sleep training felt necessary to put him in a room with a sibling. My oldest still talks about when “we” sleep trained the baby because it was Christmas break and he slept on the floor of our room for two weeks, which he loved.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:12:38+00:00June 9, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Infant Sleep, Motherhood, Parenting, Sleep Training|

Rethinking Our Duty to Respond and Be a Good Samaritan

“Mom, I know you care about people and try to help them when they are hurt,” said my 6 year old the next morning at breakfast while we discussed the previous day’s events. Based on this experience, I have come to the conclusion physicians have a duty to respond to emergencies if they can. When an accident occurs literally next to me and I do not to respond, what am I teaching other people about physicians? More importantly, what message am I sending to my own children?

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:15:09+00:00June 8, 2016|Categories: Patient, Physician|Tags: Duty to Respond, First Responders, Good Samaritan, Safety|

The Day I Forgot My Son in My Car

It happened to me one unforgettable January morning. The weather has been glorious this week; it is time to tell this story, even though I am hesitant to share it. Our world today is fast-paced and time-crunched; sometimes we overlook details as a result. Infants are rear-facing until they are 2 years old; they can fall asleep in their car seat and we can forget they are there. It really can happen to ANY parent and below is my own experience.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:17:04+00:00June 5, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Child Safety, Injury Prevention, Motherhood, Parenting, Physician Mother|

A Flu Shot Primer: Basic Answers To Common Questions

Influenza is the seventh leading cause of death in children under the age of 14 in the United States. Illness can be life-threatening and needs to be taken seriously. A flu vaccine is developed each year to keep up with the ever changing strains that are circulating. This year 2015-2016, the strains circulating match the vaccine accurately. Last year 2014-2015, the vaccine was less than 50% preventative. I hope you find this information helpful.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-31T00:23:53+00:00June 4, 2016|Categories: Patient, Practice|Tags: Education, Flu shot, Influenza, Safety, Vaccine|

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS)

PANDAS is thought to occur when a streptococcal infection triggers a misdirected immune response resulting in significant mood and behavior changes. The child quickly begins exhibiting symptoms of OCD, anxiety, tics, personality changes, and sensory sensitivities. The diagnosis of PANDAS is clinical, which means there are no lab tests confirm its existence. These diagnostic criteria were developed:

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T17:19:57+00:00June 3, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Children, Mental Health Disorders, OCD, PANDAS|

Lessons in Compassion From My Oldest Son

So far, with only 7 years of parenting under my belt, my children seem to have a solid self-esteem base, some self-control (a work in progress), and appear to be developing into truly compassionate human beings. There is still a lot for me to learn and many years of trials ahead. Whether or not my children will become successful adults, remains to be seen, but I can tell you it will be my life-long work in progress and it will be sprinkled with compassion along the way.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T16:26:58+00:00June 2, 2016|Categories: Patient, Physician|Tags: Children, Mom, Parenting, Physician Mother|

A Physician Was Not Ready to Let Go, but Learned the Value of Less Intervention

How did he let her go? Does he not know we cut patients open and save lives? The shock wore off slowly and then a week later, we reviewed the autopsy report. It provided a remarkable lesson never to be forgotten. Somehow, her father knew better than the healthcare team, what was best for his child. I was not ready, yet he was prepared to let her go and made the right decision.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T16:29:00+00:00June 1, 2016|Categories: Patient, Physician|Tags: Child Death, Death, Letting Go, Parents|