When your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, the routines of well-child visits with your pediatrician can fall off the calendar. They aren’t toddlers or babies anymore, and they haven’t started school. Sometimes life takes over. But these are important years for well-child visits. Critical developmental milestones should be met during these…
Bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital is exciting, and it also sometimes can be a little nerve-wracking for new parents. Here are a few things parents can keep in mind during the first week with a newborn. How soon can you take a newborn baby home? Healthy babies who are carried to full…
Vaccines can save your child’s life by protecting against preventable diseases, including measles. The MMR vaccine protects against three viruses: measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes a rash and fever. It also can affect the lungs and a person’s breathing. Serious cases can lead to brain inflammation…
During winter more people tend to get sick, and COVID-19, the flu and RSV are the top three viruses going around at the moment. Although respiratory viruses can spread year-round, why do we see a spike in illnesses during this time of year? When it’s cold outside, people tend to congregate in closer quarters indoors,…
It’s cold and flu season, which means the return of pesky coughs, congested noses and fevers. While many children feel better within a few days, parents can be proactive before their child gets sick. “The cold and flu are caused by respiratory viruses, which have to run their course and can’t be treated with antibiotics,”…
A leading group of pediatric physicians is calling for a more aggressive approach to treating children struggling with obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines Jan. 9. In addition to encouraging proper diet and exercise, the AAP also said that medications for obese kids as young as 12 and surgery for those…
It’s important to be on the lookout for flu symptoms in babies. They are at higher risk of developing serious health complications from the flu. “Children younger than 5 years old — especially those younger than 2 — are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications,” said Patrick K. Hynes, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s…
Preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes in children can include small, simple changes to increase daily physical activity and eat a healthier diet. Even a small amount of weight loss can help prevent or delay diabetes. In Kentucky, 23.8% of kids ages 10 to 17 are obese. That’s the highest obesity rate…
Eating disorders have increased around the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdowns and other changes. Eating disorders thrive in isolation and are fueled in part by social media, according to Andrea L. Krause, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist with Norton Children’s Inpatient Care. The pandemic supplied plenty of both. During COVID-19 lockdowns, children and adolescents typically…
A pediatrician is more than just your child’s doctor; they are an advocate for your child’s health and also act as a supportive resource for parents. Pediatricians see children of all ages, from newborns to young adults. “Pediatricians are uniquely trained to support your child’s overall health, including their physical, mental, emotional and social well-being,”…
Should my child get a flu vaccine? Can you get sick from the flu shot? Does the flu vaccine work? There are a lot of questions about the flu shot and the flu out there — and a lot of conflicting answers, depending on whom you ask. Let’s go through the myths to uncover the…
5 ways to protect your child from the flu Flu season is underway, and there are several things you can do to help protect your child from the flu and other respiratory viruses this year. 1) Hand-washing is an easy and effective way to help prevent the flu. “Hand-washing is key to protecting ourselves from…