greatkidspediatrics

Dr. Paredes' retirement letter to patients

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:07:04 GMT

October 29, 2026

Dear Parents and Families,

After 50 wonderful and rewarding years in Pediatric Private Practice, the time has come for me to announce my retirement. My last day at Great Kids Pediatrics will be Tuesday, November 24, 2026.

This decision comes with mixed emotions, as practicing Pediatrics has been much more than a profession to me; it has been one of the greatest privileges and joys of my life, and has brought me close to all the families that have entrusted me with the care of their most precious gift, that of their children.

Over these many years, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to care for thousands of children, watch them grow into adulthood, and, in many instances, welcome them back as parents with children of their own, whom I call my “grand patients”. Two months ago, in August, I was honored to become the pediatrician of my first-ever “great-grand patient”, a beautiful baby born on August 16, 2026.

The relationships and friendships developed with your families have been truly special, and I will always treasure them.

I am also very pleased to share that Great Kids Pediatrics will continue under the leadership of Dr. Ann Lee, an excellent and dedicated pediatrician who has worked alongside me for the past 19 years. She knows our patients, our families, and the values of service and understanding upon which our practice was built.

The other three excellent pediatricians: Dr. Karen Zorrilla, who has been with us for 11 years; Dr. Hannah Kline, for 4 years; and our newest Pediatrician, Dr. Robert Saldana, who completed his Pediatric Residency at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, will also continue providing the same compassionate, professional care that you have come to expect from our clinic.

Knowing that the practice will remain in the hands of physicians I know and trust gives me tremendous peace of mind as I begin this new chapter of my life.

I want to reassure you that your children’s medical care will continue without interruption. Our office will remain available to assist with appointments and medical records, as needed.

To all the parents who have entrusted me with the health and well-being of their children, I offer my deepest and most sincere gratitude.

I will miss seeing your children grow, hearing about their accomplishments, and sharing the many wonderful moments that make pediatrics such a special profession.

I will carry with me a lifetime of cherished memories!

With heartfelt appreciation and warmest wishes to you and your families,

Dr. Abel J. Paredes

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Season starts October 1st!

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:41:15 GMT

Great Kids Pediatrics will be offering an antibody injection to help protect young infants from RSV

RSV Overview

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory tract infections in people of all ages and can cause severe illness in infants and children with certain health conditions. Approximately 58,000-80,000 children under the age of 5 and up to 3% of children in their first year of life are hospitalized due to RSV infection each year in the US. Most children will get an RSV infection before the age of 2 years, and approximately 20-30% of children infected will develop a lower respiratory tract infection, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. RSV is transmitted by direct or close contact with those infected or from touching contaminated surfaces.

RSV also sensitizes the infant airways and it is not uncommon for some to develop asthma after having it. Reinfection is common and is usually less severe than the primary infection.

We see RSV infecting our infants very frequently! There is no treatment, but Beyfortus can prevent infants from becoming ill with RSV. Most infants do not have to be hospitalized, but it requires the burden of Inhalation Therapy at home with bronchodilators and steroids for many days and nights, and several follow up visits to the office.

Nirsevimab (Beyfortus)

Nirsevimab is not a vaccine, but is a monoclonal antibody injected product which offers protection against RSV, and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all infants <8 months of age born during or entering their first RSV season (typically starting October 1 through March 31 in most of the continental US).

Great Kids Pediatrics will have Beyfortus available to our young, vulnerable patients. Please ask your doctor or nurse about it today!

For more information about RSV, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html or Clinical Overview of RSV | RSV | CDC

Welcome Dr. Robert Saldaña!

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:44:06 GMT

6/29/2026 – We are proud to announce Dr. Robert Saldaña has joined our GKP family!

Dr. Saldaña completed his undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University. He then went on to medical School at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, and completed his Pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicin, Houston.

Dr. Saldaña is looking forward to meeting all of our wonderful GKP families.

This year we celebrate 48 years!

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:41:42 GMT

This year we celebrate Dr. Paredes' 48th year of Pediatric service! Over the past years, the practice has become known as Great Kids Pediatrics, now including Ann Schroeder-Lee, Dr. Karen Zorrilla, and Dr. Hannah Kline.

This year we celebrate Dr. Paredes’ 48th year of Pediatric service!

Over the past years, the practice has become known as Great Kids Pediatrics, now including Ann Schroeder-Lee, Dr. Karen Zorrilla, and Dr. Hannah Kline. With these wonderful providers, our office has expanded to better serve the community in the Greater Houston area.

Please explore our web site to learn more about the doctors, the office, the staff, our policies, and more about our practice.

Thank you for your support over the years!

Great Kids Pediatrics

Cell Phone Use in Teens: What Parents Should Know

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:11:50 GMT

Cell phones are a big part of teen life today. They help kids stay connected with friends, access information, and even support learning. However, too much screen time or unsupervised use can create challenges for health, safety, and emotional well-being.

Benefits of Cell Phones

Connection : Helps teens stay in touch with family and friends.
Safety : Provides a way to reach parents in emergencies.
Learning : Access to educational apps, homework help, and research tools.
Independence : Teaches responsibility when used with boundaries.

Risks to Be Aware Of

Sleep disruption : Late-night phone use can interfere with healthy rest.
Social pressure & mental health : Constant social media can increase stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Distraction : Phones can interfere with schoolwork, family time, and in dangerous cases, driving.
Online safety : Risks include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or unsafe online interactions.

Healthy Cell Phone Guidelines for Teens

Set limits : Agree on phone-free times (e.g., during meals, homework, bedtime).
Encourage balance : Promote physical activity, face-to-face friendships, and family time.
Monitor gently : Know your teen’s apps and online activity, but also respect growing independence.
Model good habits : Show your child how you use your phone responsibly.
Prioritize sleep : Keep devices out of bedrooms at night.

Conversation Starters for Parents

“How do you feel after spending time on social media?”
“What would you do if someone you don’t know contacts you online?”
“How can we work together to balance screen time with other activities?”

AAP Current Recommendations on Car Seats for Children

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:29:36 GMT

Please follow this link to see the most recent recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendations-on-Car-Seats-for-Children.aspx

Head Injury/Concussions

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 20:40:09 GMT

Visit the CDC site for information on signs, symptoms, and return precautions for head injuries or concussions. https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/

Media and Children Communication

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:38:08 GMT

The AAP recommends that parents and caregivers develop a family media plan that takes into account the health, education and entertainment needs of each individual child as well as the whole family; and then follow the family media plan together, revising it when necessary.

Resources for Parents

Create your personalized family media use plan here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/default.aspx

Share our Family Media Use Plan tool by linking to it on your own website or on social media. Use the images below to create great looking links and posts. Simply embed the following URLs in the image of your choice:

Family Media Use Plan in English
Family Media Use Plan in English (poster)

Family Media Use Plan in Spanish
Family Media Use Plan in Spanish (poster)