Autism screening is one of the many important reasons to bring your child to the pediatrician every year for their annual well-child checkup, even when your child is not due for any immunizations. The way your child speaks, plays, learns and acts could help a pediatrician determine any potential signs of autism. Autism is a…
A common item for newborns is gaining national attention for being linked to dozens of infant deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recommended the first federal requirements for nursing pillows, while also discouraging caregivers from setting babies down on the U-shaped pillows to sleep. Those changes would include requirements for nursing pillows to…
It’s hard for Annashae Wyatt to remember life before her diagnosis. While most kids her age were starting to explore the world, Annashae’s took an unexpected turn. At just 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Type 1 neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in nerve tissue. At the time of her…
When Mary Vaughn thinks back to when she realized her son needed help, one moment stands out. When he was young, she took James to jump on bounce houses with friends. It was busy and loud. He quickly became overwhelmed and upset, but he couldn’t form words to explain why. “I knew the words were…
Nearly every child has been a picky eater at some point. Sometimes kids are still developing their palates and are slow to embrace new tastes and textures. Other times, refusing food can be a way to assert their independence. But at what point is a child just a picky eater, and when is it a…
Is your child ready to start kindergarten? Kindergarten readiness can serve as an important foundation for the rest of your child’s educational career — but it’s about more than academics. School readiness involves all aspects of your child’s development before they start school, including their social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral and motor skills. These form the…
If a child complains of chest pain, it might sound alarming to parents, but did you know that most cases of chest pain in kids don’t indicate a heart issue? “Chest pain is relatively common when a child is growing. It’s a good idea to bring this up with your child’s pediatrician, but parents should…
As an active young boy growing up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Devan Riley experienced pains in his legs. He also endured recurring numbness on his left arm, which became more bothersome over the years. “As things progressed, we didn’t want to believe anything was wrong,” said Amy Wilson Harwood, Devan’s mom. “His previous doctors associated…
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition that involves inflammation and narrowing of the airways, causing symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Childhood asthma affects many children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 1 in 12 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with asthma. In…
Dixie Robertson is like other kids you may know. She’s playful, funny, and full of personality. Dixie cares deeply for her family — which is now officially bigger after her longtime wish of being adopted by her stepfather, Thomas, has come true. She’s incredibly strong, in fact stronger than any 10-year-old, any child or any…
How to help your teen quit smoking or vaping If your teen is smoking or vaping, there are ways to help them quit. Smoking and vaping are popular among young people; teens don’t assess risks the same as adults. They’re also more impressionable when it comes to peer pressure — resulting in many teens currently…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending a new, long-acting monoclonal antibody injection to help protect infants from severe illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). One dose may protect infants from serious RSV disease. The CDC estimates nationwide between 58,000 to 80,000 children under age 5, mostly infants, are hospitalized each…