PATIENT EDUCATION LINKS
ABDOMINAL PAIN: Some children have frequent recurrent abÂdominal pain. Overeating can cause stomÂach discomfort. So can gas, constipation, food intolerance, intestinal infections and food poisoning, urinary tract infections, apÂpendicitis, and many other serious medical conditions, the majority of which are quite rare.
EVERYDAY ILLNESS
Find helpful information about the most common reasons children come in when they’re not feeling well — including fevers, coughs, tummy aches, rashes, and infections. These easy-to-understand resources help parents know what to expect, how to care for symptoms at home, and when to call your pediatrician or seek urgent care.
ALLERGIES & ASTHMA: The air we breathe is filled with pollen, polÂlutants, and dust. Most children and adults are unaffected by these intruders. For a large number of children, however, these simple contaminants can make life miserÂable.
CHEST & LUNGS: Healthy lungs are crucial to your child's well-being. The lungs can get infections that, when serious, can cause chronic and sometimes life-threatening illnesses.
COVID-19: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the COVID vaccine for all young children age 6 months through 23 months. Children younger than 2 years old are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 and hospitalization. Beyond that age, it recommends the vaccine for children and teens with risk factors for COVID. The vaccine also should be available for children ages 2-18 who do not fall into these risk groups, but whose parent wants them to have COVID vaccine protection. Learn more here.
EAR, NOSE & THROAT: From tiny earaches to big bedtime snores, otolaryngology or ear, nose and throat (ENT) issues can play a surprising role in your child’s overall well-being. Here, find helpful advice on common conditions like ear infections, allergies, tonsillitis, and more.
INFECTIONS: Despite their microscopic size, viruses are responsible for many childhood illnesses. When viruses invade human cells, they take over the cell's machinery to reproduce. As they grow in number they can cause illnesses, some of the serious.
INFLUENZA: Find facts about flu here, including how to recognize flu symptoms in babies and kids. Flu can cause children under 4 years old to get very sick. Everyone age 6 months and older should get annual flu shots. The best time to get the influenza vaccine is before Halloween, but kids can get a flu shot at any time during flu season. (Adults need annual flu shots, too!) Read on to learn more about influenza, common symptoms, possible flu shot side effects, vaccine safety, and why pediatricians recommend flu vaccines for babies, children and teens.
INJURIES & EMERGENCIES: A true emergency is when you believe a severe injury or illness is threatening your child's life or may cause permanent harm. In these cases, a child needs emergency medical treatment immediately. Discuss with your child's pediatrician in advance what you should do in case of a true emergency.
FEVER: A fever is usually caused by infections from viruses (such as a cold or the flu) or bacteria (such as strep throat or some ear infections). The fever itself is not the disease, only a sign that the body’s defenses are trying to fight an infection.
SKIN CONDITIONS: Skin infections are usually very noticeable to parents. You'll be able to see signs of infection on your child, whether it's a rash, swelling or other symptoms.
FROM INSECTS & ANIMALS: Many types of infections associated with animals and insects can affect children. When they occur, they need a pediatrician's attention.
ADHD: Almost all children have times when their attention or behavior veers out of control. However, for some children, these types of behaviors are more than an occasional problem. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have behavior problems that are so frequent and severe that they interfere with their ability to function adequately on a daily basis.
AUTISM: Autism is a complex developmental condition that can affect a child's behavior and social and communications skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be screened for autism spectrum disorder at their 18- and 24-month well-child checkups. Research shows that starting an intervention program as soon as possible can improve outcomes for many children on the autism spectrum. Learn more in the articles below.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Only when a baby or preschooler lags far behind, or fails altogether to reach the developmental milestones, or loses a previously acquired skill, is there reason to suspect a mental or physical problem serious enough to be considered a developmental disability.
GLANDS & GROWTH DISORDERS: Glands are organs found throughout the body. Some produce substances such as sweat or saliva that help control body temperature and help digest food. Others make hormones, chemicals that affect growth and development, along with other basic body functions. Read on for information about diagnosing and treating disorders in children that involve the glands.​​
HEAD, NECK & NERVOUS SYSTEM: During childhood your son or daughter may experience a variety of neurological disorders. Many of these conditions are not cause for concern and go away on their own. For more serious conditions, a pediatric neurosurgeon can diagnose, treat, and manage children’s nervous system problems and head and spinal deformities
LEARNING DISABILITIES: Learning disabilities can be difficult to define. How these disorders are classified isn't as important as recognizing that each one can seriously interfere with a youngster's ability to learn. All learning impairments share one thing in common: deviations in processing in one or more locations of the brain.
MENTAL HEALTH: Mental health challenges can affect the way a child feels, thinks or behaves. Pediatricians are an important first resource for parents and caregivers who are worried about their child's emotional and behavioral health. Learn more about mental health conditions that can affect children and teens here. Also, find more on how to support your child in Emotional Wellness.
SEIZURES: There are many different types of seizures. Some are very short, lasting only a few seconds, while others can last longer. The term epilepsy is used to describe seizures that occur repeatedly over time without an illness or brain injury. The collection of articles below covers the diagnosis and treatment of seizures as well as information on the support children and families may need when managing seizures.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT
Learn more about how your child thinks, grows, and interacts with the world. This section covers attention concerns, learning differences, developmental milestones, behavior changes, and neurologic conditions — with clear guidance to help parents understand what’s typical, what may need support, and when to reach out to your pediatrician.
SPECIALIZED & ONGOING CARE
CANCER: Cancer is identified according to the original location and cell type. It strikes just nine thousand children a year, as compared to approximately 1.2 million adults. Cancers of childhood tend to be more curable than adult tumors.
This section is for children who need extra support for long-term or complex health conditions. It includes information on chronic illnesses, surgeries, cancer care, cleft and craniofacial conditions, and treatments — helping parents understand care options, what to expect, and how to support their child’s health every step of the way.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS: Ten to twenty million children and adolescents in the United States have some form of chronic illness or disability. Chronic refers to a health condition that lasts anywhere from three months to a lifetime.
CLEFT & CRANIOFACIAL: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Children with a cleft lip, cleft palate, or craniofacial disorder often have complex needs and may undergo a variety of procedures and therapies. Often, multiple pediatric specialists and surgeons are required to provide comprehensive care. ​
SURGICAL CONDITIONS: ​​​​​​Sometimes, surgery is the best way to help correct your child’s medical problem. Learn about some of the more common surgeries in children, and what to expect before, during and after the procedure.
TREATMENTS: Whether your child has a short-term illness or chronic medical condition, your pediatrician can guide you the best treatment options and what to expect. ​
EYES: Middle childhood is a common time for the recognition of vision problems, especially when children first have assigned seats in classrooms. Vision screening, an important part of your child's checkups, may reveal the need for further vision testing.
GENITALS & URINARY: The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, and the bladder while the genital system includes the reproductive organs. While urinary tract infections are common in young children, there are other illnesses or diseases that can affect these areas of the body as well.
HEART: A number of heart conditions can affect children. Some are structural abnormalities they are born with. Others deal with the electrical system that controls the heartbeat. Concern about a heart problem often causes patients and parents a lot of anxiety. Many times, the symptoms described by children are not because of a problem with the heart. The following articles will give you information about common heart problems encountered in childhood. If you have a concern about your child's heart, please discuss it with your pediatrician.
ORHTOPEDIC: As your child matures, calcium is necessary for healthy bone development. An inadequate calcium intake during childhood can not only affect present growth but might also help contribute to the development of weakened and porous bones (osteoporosis) later in life.
BODY SYSTEMS
Explore helpful information about how your child’s body works and what to watch for when they’re not feeling well. This section covers the heart, bones, eyes, and urinary system — giving parents guidance on symptoms, care, and when to contact the pediatrician.
PREVENTION & HEALTHY HABITS
Learn simple ways to keep your child healthy and strong. This section covers nutrition, exercise, healthy routines, and avoiding risks like tobacco or infections — giving parents practical tips to help children stay well and prevent illness whenever possible.
PREVENTION: ​​​Disease prevention is an important part of maintaining your child's overall good health. Many preventive strategies are so simple, safe, and effective, allowing you to guard against a variety of potentially serious illnesses, from food-borne diseases to infections caused by ticks and animal bites.
OBESITY: Obesity is a complex disease. It is affected by multiple factors and worsened by health inequities. Children and adolescents diagnosed with obesity should partner with their healthcare provider to access safe and effective treatment. Find more information here.
TOBACCO: Nearly 40% of the pediatric population is exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). In addition, an estimated 80-90% of adult smokers began smoking during adolescence. Parents play a very important role in protecting their children from smoke exposure and preventing tobacco use.
STIs: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are occurring in high number among teenagers. Parents need to know the signs and symptoms associated with these diseases, as well as how they are treated.
