Diagnosing a child with autism typically is a monthslong process involving multiple assessments, but for Black children the delay was found to average more than three years in a recent study. From the parents’ first concerns to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the average length of time was 3.5 years with the children…
A pregnant patient’s race, social status, access to medical care and living conditions all can affect whether they are more likely to deliver a baby weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (low birth weight), according to Scott D. Duncan, M.D., MHA, neonatologist with Norton Children’s Neonatology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. According…
Choosing a pediatrician for your first child, because you’ve moved or are looking to switch for any reason, brings up a lot of questions. Here are some tips for how to choose a pediatrician –– so you can build a relationship that works for your family. Building a relationship with a pediatrician is crucial for…
Can a baby be allergic to a Christmas tree? Mold spores on a fresh-cut Christmas tree can aggravate allergies in older children and adults, but inhaling mold, pollen, pet dander and other frequent causes of “hay fever” is rarely the cause of allergic reactions in infants. Food allergies are more common in babies. Allergic reactions…
A child with a fever can be scary in normal times. These days, it’s especially so. Here are some steps to take when it happens, and how to know when a fever is too high for a child. Is it really a fever? First, make sure it’s really a fever. As with adults, a child’s…
During the past 70 years, great strides have been made in developing treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF). A child born with the disease once had little hope of attending school, but today they are living into adulthood, graduating from college, having successful careers and getting married. In Louisville, children diagnosed with CF now have access…
While an abbreviated major league season is just getting underway, much younger pitchers and catchers have been playing at baseball fields across the U.S. As baseball is one of the youth sports where it is somewhat easier to practice social distancing to prevent spread of the coronavirus, many programs have continued this summer. So have…
With the COVID-19 outbreak still going on in the community, new parents may wonder: Can we delay the baby checkup schedule a little bit? The baby is eating well and is healthy. Is it worth going out? The answer is that the well-baby visit schedule — the appointments in a child’s first two years of…
With youth sports returning to action with precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic, pediatricians are conducting yearly sports physicals to make sure kids are healthy and fit to engage in physical activity. A sports exam includes a health history questionnaire and a check of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiration. “As…
Summer is a time for grilling and getting outside. Many of us will be cooking out and finding ways to enjoy the outdoors to start off the summer. Here are a few tips to stay safe and healthy this summer. Eat healthy Half your plate should be fruits and vegetables! Summer is a great season for fresh,…
Norton Children’s Medical Center is celebrating 10 years of service. The unique regional facility is designed just for kids and brings the compassionate, skilled pediatric care of Norton Children’s to families in northeastern Jefferson County and the surrounding area, including Southern Indiana. “This is such an exciting milestone for Norton Children’s Medical Center,” said Kathy…
Many families in Louisville and Southern Indiana struggle to provide healthy meals for children. This is due to many factors, including cost, living in a “food desert” — an area where it’s difficult to find affordable fresh food — and being unable to travel to a grocery. Food insecurity has negative effects for a child’s…