Australia just experienced one of its worst flu seasons on record, and experts are warning this could mean an early and rough flu season for the United States. Flu season in Australia usually spans from June to September and peaks in August. Officials say it started early this year, however, and the number of confirmed…
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 4.1 million newborns in the U. S. undergo newborn screening for congenital disorders each year. Of these, 4,000 infants are diagnosed with a condition. September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month –– did you know about this public health service in every U.S. state? Newborn screening identifies conditions that…
Symptoms of osteosarcoma in kids Pain and swelling are common signs of osteosarcoma. It is not unusual for active children and teenagers to experience limb pain as they grow, but any pain that lingers beyond two weeks should be checked by a medical provider, especially if it involves swelling. According to the American Cancer Society,…
Young athletes can be at risk for Osgood-Schlatter disease during growth spurts. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious: The condition is an extremely common pain in the front of the knee. It’s not the normal “growing pains” that may be more familiar to parents. Osgood-Schlatter usually occurs in children ages 10 to 15 who play certain…
Most discussions around puberty tend to focus on girls, but boys are starting puberty earlier, too. A 2012 study of U.S. boys found white and Hispanic boys were entering puberty at an average age of 10, and African American boys at 9. That’s up to two years earlier than decades ago. (The study couldn’t determine…
Think your child’s car seat is installed correctly? Chances are, it’s not. According to safety professionals at Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness, nearly 4 out of 5 car seats they check are used incorrectly. “Not all of the errors are what most people would consider huge,” said Sharon Rengers, R.N., manager with Norton Children’s Prevention…
Before he was born, Schielar Skaggs’ parents, Terry and Melissa, worried about the life their son would have. Would he survive childbirth? If he did, would his life be short and filled with suffering and surgeries? Tests during Melissa’s pregnancy showed Schielar had a complex congenital heart condition known as hypoplastic right heart syndrome with…
How did I not see the signs? What could I have done? These are questions no parent wants to ask. While suicide can be a dark and difficult subject to talk about, shining a light on it can help save a life. Suicide by the numbers More than 47,000 Americans die by suicide each year, making…
Is your 4-year-old not yet potty trained? Does your toddler get upset when she has an accident? Potty training can be time-consuming, confusing and stressful, but you can ease your concerns by knowing what to expect and recognizing when you may need to ask for help. Some common questions about potty training: What is the…
The pressures teens face today are enormous and much different than what most adults faced at their age. During these formative years, teens simply aren’t equipped to handle a lot of stress. As a result, more than ever teens are turning to suicide as a way out. In Kentucky alone, suicide is the second leading…
Infant heart transplants are never routine, but for a child who wouldn’t otherwise survive a congenital heart defect, they’ve become much more common. That wasn’t the case 32 years ago when Leslie Keown of Franklin, Kentucky, was born. Transplanting the heart of a days-old baby was almost unheard of, but it was a lifesaving procedure…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it is investigating 805 possible cases of electronic cigarette-related lung disease across 46 states, and one U.S. territory, including Kentucky and Indiana. The CDC confirmed 12 deaths, including one in Indiana. The CDC is cautioning consumers not to use e-cigarettes. If your kids are vaping, what…