There’s no shortage of health information or symptom-checker apps available on the internet. Parents are busy, so it’s tempting to just pull out your phone and search your child’s symptoms to see what may be causing a particular issue you’ve noticed. However, the best symptom-checker is always going to be your pediatrician. “When you see…
Allergies usually develop after repeated exposure to an allergen, a substance that causes a reaction by the body’s immune system. What are the signs of allergies in toddlers, and when should parents talk to their pediatrician? When do allergies start? If you have allergies, there may be an increased risk for your child to have…
There are many documented benefits of outdoor play for children and families. We all have spent a lot of time indoors in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; but children in general have been spending more time in front of screens than ever before. Taking time away from screens to go outside and…
Louisville, Kentucky, is no stranger to allergies or asthma, so knowing what to look for in your child is important. Louisville routinely is ranked among the most challenging cities to live with asthma by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma can be controlled with medications and treatments, but many cases go undiagnosed. The…
Complex trauma occurs when children are exposed to multiple, severe and pervasive traumatic events or experiences. Complex trauma includes profound abuse, neglect or ongoing exposure to violence, typically involving a primary caregiver. Traumatic experiences often overwhelm a child’s ability to cope. Children exposed to complex trauma can react in a number of ways, including lack…
*EDITOR’S NOTE: In this article, parent and child names have been altered for the child’s privacy at their request. When Pat was selecting a pediatrician for her children, she chose Robert A. Blair, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Frankfort. Dr. Blair had been her pediatrician when she was a child, so she…
Matthew D. Kinney, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Novak Center, felt like medicine was his calling from a very young age. In his work as a primary care pediatrician, Dr. Kinney is passionate about early childhood development and the health disparities that exist, including those relating to infant mortality. He knew he…
You’re not alone if you’ve wondered “When should I take my child to the hospital?” after your child has experienced an illness or injury. Having that kind of doubt is OK; no parent likes to see their child ill or hurt. It’s important for new and even veteran parents to know when to call 911,…
Exercise after recovering from COVID-19, even in kids who had mild symptoms or no symptoms, can be risky, especially since the coronavirus can strike at the heart muscle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids, including adolescents, who tested positive for the coronavirus in the past six months see their pediatrician before resuming physical activity….
COVID-19 testing for kids is now fast and accurate — important considerations as children may need to show proof of a negative test before resuming many activities. Recent breakthroughs have made polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests — the gold standard in coronavirus testing — available with nearly 100% accurate results that the equipment displays…
Child regression can take many forms: Potty accidents, thumb-sucking, baby talk, clinginess and sleep issues. Increased stress, whether due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other disruptions such as the birth of a sibling, parent’s job loss or divorce, can set back a child’s progress and cause them temporarily to lose recently acquired skills. The changes…
Babies should be introduced “nutrient dense” and “potentially allergenic foods” at 6 months old, according to new guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services. The recommendations state babies should be introduced to foods such as peanuts, eggs, cow’s milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, shellfish and…