Dr. Ellen Altenburg

Pediatrics
Melbourne, FL
33 years experience female

Locations

Osler Pediatrics Viera - Dr. Ellen Altenburg, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Melbourne, FL

Address

7000 Spyglass Court, Suite 120, Melbourne, FL, US
Directions

My office hours

Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Show more

Fax

(321) 504-0113

Insurances accepted

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Florida

Aetna

Cigna

UnitedHealthcare

Health First Health Plan, Inc

Amerigroup

Coventry Health Care

Golden Rule Insurance Company

Great-West Healthcare

About

Bio

I am board-certified certified in pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. I have been practicing general pediatrics for the last twenty years. I participate in the annual St. Baldrick's Shaving Event to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Pediatrics

Doctor Q&A

455 Answers
24 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Angular cheilitis: It may be angular cheilitis. It can be managed a few ways depending on its cause. Her is some information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: It increases the risk of SIDS
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Complex: Too complicated and not enough information to discuss in this forum. Best to discuss with your physicians, and don't think twice about getting a secon... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
36 strains: Easier to tell you what strains it protects against. There are 40 strains of HPV. Gardasil protects against 6,11,16 & 18. Cervarix protects agains... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: Sounds like you should see a physician for a proper diagnosis. Could be a viral infection, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis or heart problem.H... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Unlikely: Unlikely with those two tests negative. If he is in daycare, that is most likely the answer. He'll catch something every 4 - 6 weeks. If not, allergie... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
No magic cure: Teething is a normal part of an infant's life. There is no magic medicine or cure for it. You can rub the affected gum. Provide the baby safe things t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Gastric secretions: If you meant a yellow watery liquid, that "came up" when you gagged, it's probably just normal gastric secretions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Usually not necessar: Typically you just give the appropriate dose, and don't double it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
3 cups: Purely milk and no other dairy or vitamins around 3 cups a day is what I generally recommend. I recommend vitamin with D & calcium to all teenager... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: no, it isn't normal
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Multiple cause: A few factors cause acne. See link below. If OTC medications don't work, or your acne is severe, see a physician for prescription meds. http://www.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Plantar fasciatis: Sounds like plantar fasciitis. She may need to see a podiatrist if it is severe enough. Here is some information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Enzyme deficiency : Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot easily digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and dairy products.Lactose intolerance occurs when t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Wash tub with soap: Just make sure you wash the tub to remove the bleach.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Discuss with surgeon: Typical operative risks. Reaction to sedation, infection, poor cosmetic outcome, bleeding etc. Your surgeon should go through all the risks when you s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Not surprising: Assuming the baby is not a newborn, I would think most urologists would prefer not to do circumcisions on older infants in an office setting.Older bab... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Common: Very common in a toddler if they are on daycare, however his pediatrician is the best one to make that call after he/she examines him.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Maybe: "Gallbladder issue" isn't necessary critical, but you can get pretty sick if you have an untreated cholecystitis It could be something other than a ga... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Usually not: If you mean your growth as a 16 year old, most premies have " catch up growth" , and are back on the standard growth curves by 2 to 3 years old. As lo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
No: I would recommend you see your pediatrician. He can tell you what your son's height should be for his genetic disposition & assess his pubertal de... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Your call: We aren't allowed to give you medical advice like this. I can say the injuries to the coccyx bone ( butt ) can take a long time to feel better even if... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Call PCP: This is not a question that can be answered on HealthTap. You sister needs to talk to his PCP immediately since it could be a sign of illness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Unlikely: Unlikely if you did this 3 days ago, and have been drinking and eating normally since and just developed the other symptoms. Regardless of the cause, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Discuss with special: Complex subject that really can't be answered in this forum. Recommend treatment at a teaching hospital in a major pediatric hospital. Here's is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Several causes: HSV-2 ( herpes ) is the cause of "cold sores" and it can give you a sore throat. Other causes could be strep throat or a viral infections like herpang... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
RBC disorder: It is an inherited enzymatic disorder of red blood cells. Most people have no symptoms. If you have it, Your red blood cells can hemolyze ( break ope... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: It sounds like you need to see your physician to discuss these symptoms. Too many symptoms to make an easy diagnosis without examining you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Try these: Depends on the cause of the insomnia. Recommend no TV, video games,exercise within an hour of bedtime. No caffeinated beverages. Take the TV out of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Need repeat tests: Immature granulocytes can be caused by a recent infection. Since I don't know your medical history and symptoms, it is hard to advice. I'm sure your p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Happens in women: It's more common in men because the gene is on the X chromosome, but it does occur in women.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: Sounds like you need to have your physician examine you. It could be an infection (bacterial or viral), fluid behind your ear drum or a dysfunction of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Hard to tell: It is difficult to tell you what a rash it without seeing it. Acne or reaction to something that touched your face would be the two most common causes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Not sure: Unclear as to what "closed" means. If there is a structural anomaly to her ear canal, she should have seen an ENT as a newborn. If it's simply cerumen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 55-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Not uncommon: It's not unusual for the bite to still be swollen & red 48 hrs afterwards. Really can't advice you as to whether to be seen or not. I recommend ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: Complex migraines can cause the head and numbness in your arm/legs. The bulging disc can cause the "tugging feeling in your heel" and burning leg pain... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Common side effect: Those symptoms can be side effects from the lamotrigine. I'd call your physician and see if he wants to change your dosage or medication.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Discuss with cardiol: This question is best answered by his cardiologist. He knows your son's history. There are many variables to consider.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
? eczema: If you have a history of eczema, allergic rhinitis or asthma, I'd ask your physician about DermOtic. You can have eczema in your ear canals, and this ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Keep it up: Sounds like you are doing the right thing. Doesn't always work right away. Here is some more suggestions: http://www.babycenter.com/0_hair-pulling-ho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Usual methods: Good hand washing. Cleaning surfaces with antibacterial cleansers. Keep him from sneezing directly at someone. Prevent him from sharing food & dri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: Most likely nothing serious like patellofemoral syndrome. I'd see your MD.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See MD: If you mean your pupils are of different sizes, you need to see your physician. It can be a sign of an abnormality in your brain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Need more informatio: What are exactly are your concerns about her eating & what are the "other things"
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Unlikely: Not unusual with girls just starting with their menstrual cycle ( assuming there is no redness or discharge). I usually recommend Tylenol (acetaminoph... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 60-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Ask MD: I would discuss it with your child's neurosurgeon.It's typically contact sports like football. There is some debate on the subject.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
See podiatrist: There are many causes of chronic heel pain ( bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, fractures, tendinitis). I'd recommend seeing a podiatrist. Taking ibuprofe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
OK now: As long as the blanket isn't heavy & he is developmentally normal, it's fine to have him sleep with a blanket.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Infection: Sounds like a skin infection or abscess. You could try warm compresses, but if it persists or worsens, you need to see a physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ellen Altenburg
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Prevents ovualtion: It delays the release of an egg from the ovary. Since there is no egg to be fertilize by the sperm, a pregnancy doesn't occur.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

5
Recommendations
345
Thank you notes
Aug 9, 2014
I strongly recommend him for pediatric advice!
HealthTap member
Oct 3, 2014
All I really wanted was to have someone care enough to respond and she did. She shared knowledge and compassion! Thank you!
HealthTap member
Feb 12, 2015
She is very hard working and shes helped me with my confidence and because of all that i would like to get to know her
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Wouldn't you say that a family & personal history of autoimmune disorder is similar to "immune compromised"? Vaccines are known to set them off.
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! I appreciate your help. I didn't know if that was okay to lose that amount of weight in that amount of time especially with my busy schedule.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for such a quick and informative reply. Deeply appreciated!

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, NY
Graduated 1990MD

Residency

Children's Hospital of Buffalo
Completed 1993

Awards

CME/CPD Award, American Academy of Pediatrics
Top Doctor, First Place, Orlando Region - Summer
2014
Top Pediatrician, First Place, Florida - Summer
2014

Affiliations

American Academy of Pediatrics
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less