Kid's Health

What Kind of Activity? There's nothing cuter than a bunch of preschoolers playing T-ball or soccer, but is it the best way for them to be active? Probably not. Team sports offer a chance for preschoolers to meet each other and get some exercise, but...

What Kind of Activity? There's nothing cuter than...

My 12-year-old son is gaining weight quite rapidly. He was always "just right" until middle-school homework cut into his play time. Should I start him on an exercise program? - Rose As kids get older, they often have more homework and other responsib...

My 12-year-old son is gaining weight quite rapidly...

You've probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one's forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? ...

You've probably experienced waking in the middle o...

Injuries to the eye are the most common preventable cause of blindness, so when in doubt, err on the side of caution and call your doctor for help. You can treat many minor eye irritations by flushing the eye with water, but more serious injuries req...

Injuries to the eye are the most common preventabl...

A broken (fractured) bone requires emergency care. Suspect a possible broken bone if your child heard or felt a bone snap, if your child has difficulty moving the injured part, or if the injured part moves in an unnatural way or is very painful to th...

A broken (fractured) bone requires emergency care....

We all need some sun exposure; it's our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn't take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need, and repeated unprotected exposu...

We all need some sun exposure; it's our primary so...

When your family travels and is away from the usual eating and sleeping routines, the chances increase that someone might get sick. It can take time to adjust to the food, water, and air in a new environment, and kids can be especially vulnerable to ...

When your family travels and is away from the usua...

Causes of Sports Injuries Participation in any sport, whether it's recreational bike riding or Pee-Wee football, can teach kids to stretch their limits and learn sportsmanship and discipline. But any sport also carries the potential for injury. By kn...

Causes of Sports Injuries Participation in any spo...

Whenever the evening news brings the story of a kidnapped child or teen, the terrifying prospect of abduction fills the minds of parents across the country. But it's important to remember that most kids pass through childhood safely. One of the chall...

Whenever the evening news brings the story of a ki...

In warm weather, the threat of Lyme disease might make you think that your kids would be safer in your living room than in the great outdoors. Though a child's risk of getting Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick is only about 1-3%, it's importa...

In warm weather, the threat of Lyme disease might ...

A delicious mud pie, a good-luck rock, or a friendly frog are the types of goodies kids love to bring home. But these adorable gifts can also bring millions of germs with them. Kids don't always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before ea...

A delicious mud pie, a good-luck rock, or a friend...

Teen Safety at Work Your 13-year-old comes to you and asks permission to start babysitting so she can earn enough money for that great pair of sneakers or a new video game. Or maybe your 16-year-old wants to work at the local fast-food restaurant so ...

Teen Safety at Work Your 13-year-old comes to you ...

About Lead Poisoning If you have young kids, it's important to find out whether there's any risk that they might be exposed to lead, especially if you live in an older home. Long-term exposure to lead, a naturally occurring metal used in everything f...

About Lead Poisoning If you have young kids, it's ...

Whether it's a snow day home from school, an unexpected business appointment, or a childcare arrangement that fell through, situations are likely to arise where you feel you have little choice but to leave your child home alone. It's natural for pare...

Whether it's a snow day home from school, an unexp...

Millions of toys are out there, and hundreds of new ones hit the stores each year. Toys are supposed to be fun and are an important part of any child's development. But each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-r...

Millions of toys are out there, and hundreds of ne...

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice. You should keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in each car. Als...

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy rea...

When providing emergency care, doctors, nurses, and emergency personnel like paramedics will have many questions about a patient's medical history. And even the most organized parent might not be able to remember the details of a child's health histo...

When providing emergency care, doctors, nurses, an...

Each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries. With so many toys on the market and new ones arriving every day, it's important to make sure the toys your child plays with are safe. Manufacturers foll...

Each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital ...

A blood transfusion is a relatively simple medical procedure during which a patient receives whole blood or one of its parts through an intravenous line, or IV. This is a tiny tube that is inserted into a vein using a small needle. While patients are...

A blood transfusion is a relatively simple medical...

About Laryngoscopy Laryngoscopy is a visual examination below the back of the throat, where the voice box (larynx) containing the vocal cords is located. The procedure is done by using mirrors and a light source at the back of the throat or by insert...

About Laryngoscopy Laryngoscopy is a visual examin...

Providing Support If your child needs to have an operation, you probably have plenty of questions, many of them about anesthesia. You may wonder if your child will feel pain during the operation, be aware of what's going on, wake up in the middle of ...

Providing Support If your child needs to have an o...