Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

06/17/2026

All vaccines contain antigens that help the body create the immune response needed to protect against an infection. What’s more, kids are exposed to up to 6,000 naturally occurring antigens each day, just by going to places like the playground.

If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations for your child, talk with your pediatrician, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics’ website or by visiting healthychildren.org.

06/17/2026

June KACO Post:

Invited by the Kentucky Department of Health, KACO leadership recently joined the Kentucky Obesity Coalition.

The coalition is a grassroots, collaborative effort to innovate, exercise collective action, and think "outside the box" when appropriate to develop sustainable solutions to address the public health crisis that obesity has become. Consisting of a broad coalition of public health, clinical, educational, nonprofit, and governmental stakeholders, the coalition hopes to identify implementable strategies via multi-sector collaboration. While not specifically pediatric in scope, it is an excellent opportunity to represent the KY AAP and the children of Kentucky.

The initial session consisted of introductions and a collaborative brain-storming session. Proposals were generally grouped into the following themes:
Nutrition and Food Access
Physical Activity and Infrastructure
Clinical and Healthcare System Interventions
Education and Public Awareness
Policy and Systems Change
Social and Equity Considerations

The coalition is in its infancy. However, it provides a promising opportunity to serve the children of Kentucky.

06/15/2026

What exactly is vitamin K, and do newborns really need it? Read on to learn more.

​​Newborn infants are usually given vitamin K soon after birth to prevent a life-threatening disease called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Learn more here.

06/11/2026

Each childhood vaccine has been carefully tested on its own and in combination with others. Science-backed evidence from across decades points to a truth we can trust: On-time immunization keeps our kids and our communities healthier.

Keep reading to find out how your child's body handles multiple vaccinations at one time. Learn why this strategy is a key part of the support system that keeps your child healthy, so they can focus on growing, developing and learning.

The vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for use in all children do not interfere with each other and, as needed, can be safely given together during a single visit. The immunization schedule is created to ensure they are as effective as possible to protect your child fr...

06/11/2026

UofL School of Medicine - Pediatric Grand Rounds
Friday, June 12, 2026 - 8 - 9 a.m.
Norton Children's Hospital - NCH Scheen Conference Room 2&3
23rd Annual Doctor Diller B. Groff Memorial Lectureship
“The Evolution of Total Pancreatectomy with Islet
Autotransplantation in Children: Shaping Outcomes in Chronic
Pancreatitis
Jaimie D. Nathan, MD, FACS, FAAP
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83966323828?pwd=UW5TcWZUWHY1STMwSjFyUlhsMnN6UT09
Meeting ID: 839 6632 3828
Passcode: 6298828
*For more info, call 502.629.8828

06/08/2026

Camp can be a wonderful experience for kids. But keeping them safe and healthy is key.

​​​Swimming and other water activities are a fun part of many youth camp programs. Be sure to choose a camp that take steps to keep kids safe in and around pools​, lakes, and other bodies of water. Read on for some important questions to ask.

05/25/2026

Drowning can happen to any family. It’s quick, and it’s silent. Drowning is the single-leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, and a top cause of death among teens. We can lower these rates if pediatricians, parents and policy-makers work together to implement the types of solutions we know will keep children safe.

05/20/2026

UofL School of Medicine - Pediatric Grand Rounds
Friday, May 22, 2026 - 8 - 9 a.m.
Norton Children's Hospital - NCH Scheen Conference Room 2&3
24th Annual Evan Dunbar Lectureship
“Immunotherapy for Neuroblastoma: Current Status and Future Directions”
Shakeel Modak, MD, MRCP
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83966323828?pwd=UW5TcWZUWHY1STMwSjFyUlhsMnN6UT09
Meeting ID: 839 6632 3828
Passcode: 6298828
*For more info, call 502.629.8828

05/20/2026

When it comes to serious illnesses like RSV and the flu, your child’s immune system can use a little help. Your child’s immune system learns from immunizations how to recognize and resist infection.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/RSV-immunizations-new-ways-to-protect-babies.aspx

Learn more at the AAP’s website or by visiting healthychildren.org

Learn about RSV, its risks for infants, and the new immunizations available to protect your baby during RSV season.

05/18/2026

Allergies happen when the immune system, which normally protects the body from germs, overreacts to a usually harmless substance.

​Children get allergies from coming into contact with allergens. Allergens can be inhaled, eaten, or injected (from stings or medicine) or they can come into contact with the skin. Here are tips to help your child with allergies.