Children's Health

Learn about children's health

Children grow and change so quickly. Our Growth and Development topics can tell you what to expect at each stage of childhood. And our health topics can help you care for them when they're sick.

You can find information you need to keep your child healthy and thriving in topics such as:

Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years.
Healthy Eating for Children.
Healthy Habits for Kids.
Asthma in Children.
Immunizations.
Depression in Children and Teens.

Health Topics
Medical Tests
Make a Wise Decision
Take Action

Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger
Abuse: Signs of Abuse-Related Injuries
Acetaminophen Use in Young Children
ADHD and Hyperactivity
ADHD Medicines: Suicide Warning for Strattera
ADHD Myths and Facts
ADHD: Impulsivity and Inattention
ADHD: Other Conditions With Similar Symptoms
ADHD: Social Skills Training
ADHD: Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Has ADHD
ADHD: Tests for Other Disorders
Adolescent Sensory and Motor Development
After-School Programs
Aggression in Youth
Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
Amblyopia
Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Panel (AJGP)
Asperger's Syndrome
Asthma Action Plan: Green Zone
Asthma Action Plan: Red Zone
Asthma Action Plan: Yellow Zone
Asthma in Children
Asthma in Children: Knowing How Bad an Attack Is
Asthma: Educating Yourself and Your Child
Asthma: Overuse of Quick-Relief Medicines
Asthma's Impact on Your Child's Life
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Autism and Vaccines
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism: Behavioral Training and Management
Avoiding Temper Tantrums
Back Pain in Children and Teenagers
Barking Coughs in Children
Basic Dental Care
Bed-Wetting
Behavior Rating Scales for ADHD
Behavior Therapy for ADHD
Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
Bipolar Disorder in Children: Other Health Problems That May Occur
Bipolar Disorder in Children: School Issues
Biting
Biting as a Behavior Problem
Blocked Tear Ducts: Balloon Dacryocystoplasty
Blocked Tear Ducts: Dye Disappearance Test
Blocked Tear Ducts: Infracturing
Blocked Tear Ducts: Intubation
Bone Movement for Malocclusion
Brace (Orthotic) Treatment for Scoliosis
Breath-Holding Spells
Breath-Holding Spells: Helping Your Child Avoid Injury
Breath-Holding Spells: Keeping a Record
Bronchiolitis
Brushing and Flossing a Child's Teeth
Bullying
Bullying: Building a Child's Self-Esteem
Bullying: How to Help Your Child Who Bullies
Bullying: Signs a Child Is Bullied
Cancer Treatment and Infertility
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy: Bathing and Grooming Tips
Cerebral Palsy: Controversial Treatments
Cerebral Palsy: Help for Speech Problems
Cerebral Palsy: Safety Tips
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Chickenpox: Preventing Skin Infections
Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Abuse: Emotional Abuse by Parents
Child Abuse: Signs of Neglect
Child Car Seats
Child Care Providers: Licensing Standards
Child Care Providers: Safe Child-Staff Ratio and Group Size
Child Care: Hidden Costs
Child Care: Interviewing Care Providers
Child Care: Qualifications for Providers
Child Care: When to Keep Your Child at Home
Child Safety: Air Pollution
Child Safety: Bicycles and Tricycles
Child Safety: Drowning Prevention in Pools and Hot Tubs
Child Safety: Guns and Firearms
Child Safety: Pets
Child Safety: Preventing Burns
Child Safety: Preventing Child Abduction
Child Safety: Preventing Drowning
Child Safety: Preventing Falls
Child Safety: Streets and Motor Vehicles
Child Safety: Strollers and Shopping Carts
Child Safety: Washing Toys to Prevent Germs
Child Who Is Overweight: Evaluating Nutrition and Activity Patterns
Child Who Is Overweight: Medical Evaluation
Childhood Fears and Exposure to Violence
Childhood Schizophrenia
Children and Malaria: Reducing the Risk
Children's Camps
Children's Growth Chart
Choking Prevention in Small Children
Choking Rescue Procedure: Heimlich Maneuver
Cholesterol in Children and Teens
Choosing Child Care
Classification and Types of Hydrocephalus
Classification of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Classification of Juvenile Arthritis
Cleaning Your Young Son's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
Cleanliness and Hygiene Standards for Group Child Care Facilities
Cleft Lip
Cleft Palate
Cleft Palate Treatment After Surgery
Cochlear Implants and Meningitis
Colds
Comforting a Child Who Has a Respiratory Illness
Common Types of Birthmarks
Communicating Effectively With a Child Care Provider
Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children
Complications of Ear Infections
Conditions Related to Dyslexia
Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Depression in Children and Teens
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital Heart Defects: Caring for Your Child
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Congenital Syphilis
Connection Between Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Constipation, Age 11 and Younger
Corporal Punishment
Cough Symptoms in Children
Coughs, Age 11 and Younger
Crib Safety
Croup
Crying Child That Is Not Acting Normally
Crying: Tired or Overstimulated
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis and Exercise
Cystic Fibrosis: Getting Enough Calories and Nutrients
Cystic Fibrosis: Ways to Clear the Airways
Daytime Accidental Wetting (Diurnal Enuresis)
Dealing With Emergencies
Dehydration: Drinking Enough Fluids (Babies and Young Children)
Dental Care: 3 Years to 6 Years
Dental Care: 6 Years to 16 Years
Dental Checkups for Children and Adults
Depression in Children and Teens
Diabetes in Children: Care Plan for School or Day Care
Diabetes in Children: Food Issues at School
Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger
Differences Between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Children
Disc Battery in the Nose
Doctors Who Treat Cleft Lip and Palate
Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome, Ages 1 to 5
Down Syndrome, Ages 5 to 13
Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Avoid Social Problems
Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Dress Independently
Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Eat Independently
Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Learn to Communicate
Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Learn to Walk and Use Other Motor Skills
Down Syndrome: Training and Therapy for Young People
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Dyslexia
Ear Infections
Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Early Treatment for Malocclusion
Educational Rights for Children With Disabilities
Effective Parenting: Discipline
Egocentric and Magical Thinking
Emergency Procedures for Group Child Care Facilities
Emotional and Social Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
Emotional Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
Encouraging Language Development in Your Preschooler
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
Epilepsy: Atonic Seizures
Epilepsy: Tonic Seizures
Epinephrine for Croup
Establishing Limits With Your School-Age Child
Evaluating Your Child's Hearing
Extracting Teeth for Malocclusion Treatment
Eye and Vision Tests for Children and Teens
Family Life Cycle
Family Therapy for Depression in Children
FDA Advisories for Antidepressants
Fetal Alcohol Effects: Behavior and Learning Problems
Fetal Alcohol Effects: How to Help Your Child
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Signs That Your Child Needs to Be Evaluated
Fever or Chills, Age 11 and Younger
Fever Seizures
Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison
Fifth Disease
Fitness: Getting and Staying Active
Fluoride During Childhood
Food Handling and Preparation in a Child Care Setting
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children
Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
Glucocorticoids for Croup
Goniotomy for Congenital Glaucoma
Grief: Helping Children Understand
Group Child Care Center Policies
Group Child Care: Activities
Group Child Care: Health and Safety
Growing Pains
Growth and Development Milestones
Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
Growth and Development, Ages 6 to 10 Years
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Head Injuries in Children: Problems to Watch For
Headaches in Children
Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years
Health Screening: Finding Health Problems Early
Healthy Attitudes Toward Food and Exercise
Healthy Eating for Children
Healthy Eating in Children: Problems Caused by Poor Nutrition
Healthy Eating in Children: Things That Influence Food Choices
Healthy Habits for Kids
Heat Rash
Heatstroke Prevention: What to Wear
Help Your School-Age Child Develop Social Skills
Helping Adolescents Develop More Mature Ways of Thinking
Helping Children During Immunizations
Helping Children With Disabilities Stay Active
Helping Kids Handle Peer Pressure
Helping Your Child Avoid Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol
Helping Your Child Build a Healthy Body Image
Helping Your Child Build Inner Strength
Helping Your Child Transition Into Middle School or Junior High
Helping Your Child Who Is Overweight
Helping Your School-Age Child Learn About the Body
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
High Blood Pressure in Children
Hip Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Hip Problems, Age 11 and Younger
Hirschsprung's Disease
HIV Symptoms in Children
HIV Treatment in Children
Hormone Tests to Check for Undescended Testicles
How ADHD Affects Your Child
How Asthma Develops in Children
How Cystic Fibrosis Affects Breathing and the Lungs
How Cystic Fibrosis Affects the Sweat Glands
How Normal Vision Develops
How Reading Helps Language Development
How Storytelling Helps Children Express Feelings About Loss
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Gardasil®: What You Need to Know
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Hypospadias
Hypothyroidism in Infants, Children, and Teens
Ibuprofen Use in Young Children
Immunization Safety
Immunization Schedules
Immunizations: Questions Parents Ask
Impetigo
Importance of Immunizations
Inguinal Hernia: Surgery in Children
Interactive Tool: What Is Your Child's BMI?
Intussusception
Iron Toxicity
Ivermectin for Head Lice
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Symptoms
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Adult Treatments That May Be Used in Children
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Balancing Rest and Activity
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Deciding About Total Joint Replacement
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Features of DMARD and SSARD Drugs
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Growth Problems
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Inflammatory Eye Disease
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Pain Management
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Range-of-Motion Exercises
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: School Partners
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Serial Casting
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Soft Tissue Release of Contracture
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Total Joint Replacement
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Treatment With Heat, Cold, or Water
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Vitamin D and Calcium
Kawasaki Disease
Klinefelter Syndrome
Lead Poisoning
Lead Poisoning in Children: Questions Before Screening
Learning Disabilities
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Lice
Lice Treatment: Examples of Over-the-Counter Products
Lice: Cleaning Lice From Combs, Clothing, and Other Items
Lice: Removing Nits From Hair
Little Leaguer's Elbow (Medial Apophysitis)
Measles (Rubeola)
Media and Your Child: Making Choices
Medical Causes of Bed-Wetting
Medical Checkups for Adolescents
Medical History and Physical Exam for Nearsightedness
Medicine for Tourette's Disorder
Menarche
Meningitis
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccines - MenACWY and MPSV4: What You Need to Know
Milestones for 10-Year-Olds
Milestones for 4-Year-Olds
Milestones for 5-Year-Olds
Milestones for 6-Year-Olds
Milestones for 7-Year-Olds
Milestones for 8-Year-Olds
Milestones for 9-Year-Olds
Milestones for Ages 11 to 14
MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella): What You Need to Know
MMRV Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella): What You Need to Know
Moisture Alarms for Bed-Wetting
Molluscum Contagiosum
Motivational Therapy for Bed-Wetting
Mouth Breathing and Malocclusion
Mouth Guards for Sports
Mumps
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Nasal Potential Difference Test for Cystic Fibrosis
Nausea and Vomiting, Age 11 and Younger
Nephrotic Syndrome
Nightmares and Other Sleep Problems in Children
Nonverbal Learning Disorder
Nurturing Your Child to Improve Learning and Attention
Object Stuck in a Child's Airway
Oral Rehydration Solutions for Children
Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Peanut Allergy
Pediatric Preparation for Medical Tests
Physical Abuse: Common Injuries in Children
Physical Activity for Children and Teens
Physical Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
Pityriasis Alba
Pityriasis Rosea
Playground Safety
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13): What You Need to Know
Polio Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Preparing Your Child for the Hospital
Preschoolers: Building a Sense of Security
Preschoolers: Building Self-Control
Preschoolers: Building Social Skills
Preschoolers: Encouraging Independence
Preschoolers: Helping Your Child Explore
Preventing Breath-Holding Spells in Children
Preventing Children's Injuries From Sports and Other Activities
Preventing Choking
Preventing Poisoning in Young Children
Preventing Tooth Decay in Young Children
Procedural Sedation
Protecting Your Child From Infections
Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
Puberty Issues
Questions Your Doctor May Ask Before Prescribing Medicine for Depression in Children and Teens
Quick Tips: Helping Children Take Medicine
Quick Tips: Helping Your Child Stay Safe and Healthy
Quick Tips: Safely Giving Over-the-Counter Medicines to Children
Radial Head Subluxation
Rash, Age 11 and Younger
Recognizing and Developing Your Children's Special Talents
Rectal Prolapse in Children
Recurrent Abdominal Pain (RAP)
Recurrent Ear Infections and Persistent Effusion
Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
Reye Syndrome
Risser Sign in Scoliosis
Roseola
Rotavirus
Rotavirus Vaccine: What You Need to Know
RSV: Risk of Complications
Rules of Conduct for Children in a Group Child Care Center
Safety Around Irrigation Canals
Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship
Scoliosis in Children and Teens
Scrapes
Screening for Hearing Problems
Self-Esteem, Ages 6 to 10
Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine (MenB): What You Need to Know
Sexual Abuse: Knowing About Sex at Too Young an Age
Sexual Abuse: Physical Signs in Children
Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Sibling Rivalry
Sickle Cell Disease: Splenic Sequestration
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Snack Ideas for Preschoolers
Special Diets for Epilepsy
Speech and Language Delays: Common Misconceptions
Speech and Language Development
Speech and Language Development: Red Flags
Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 3 to 5 Years
Speech Problems: Normal Disfluency
Spina Bifida
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Sponge Bath for a Child's Fever
Staying Healthy Around Animals
Staying Safe: After You Leave a Violent Relationship
Staying Safe: If You Are in a Violent Relationship
Steroid Medicine for Asthma: Myths and Facts
Strabismus
Stress in Children and Teens
Stuttering
Stuttering: Risk Factors
Sucking and Malocclusion
Swallowed Button Disc Battery, Magnet, or Object With Lead
Symptoms of Depression in Children
Talking With Your Child About Sex
Tay-Sachs Disease
Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Temper Tantrums
Temper Tantrums: Keeping a Record
Thinking About Child Safety
Thumb-Sucking
Thumb-Sucking Versus Pacifier Use
Tips for Parents of Children With Epilepsy
Toilet Training
Toilet Training: Knowing When Your Child Is Ready
Tongue-Tie
Tongue-Tie Surgery for Age 1 Year and Older
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Tonsillitis
Tooth Development in Children
Tourette's Disorder
Trabeculotomy for Congenital Glaucoma
Transparent Tape Test for Pinworms
Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children
Treating Tuberculosis in Children
Treatment for ACL Injuries in Children and Teens
Treatments for Developmental Stuttering
Tuberculosis in Infants and Children
Tubes for Ear Infections
Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Caring for Your Child
Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Emotional Issues
Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Making Mealtime Happier
Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Safe Exercise
Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With the Disease
Type 1 Diabetes: Your Child's Role in Care
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
Type 2 Diabetes: Screening for Children
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Types of Malocclusion
Types of Strabismus
Umbilical Hernia in Children
Unproven Treatments for Autism
Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Using an Agency to Find Individual Child Care
Using Vaporizers and Humidifiers
Vaccine Information Statements
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
Violent Behavior in Children and Teens
Vital Signs in Children
Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens
Ways to Comfort a Baby in the Hospital
Well-Child Visits
When to Treat Malocclusion
Your Child and the Dentist
Your Child's First Vaccines: What You Need to Know

Body Temperature
Ear Examination
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
Galactosemia Test
Home Ear Examination
Lead
Luteinizing Hormone
Stool Analysis
Sweat Test

ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD?
Bed-Wetting: Should I Do Something About My Child's Bed-Wetting?
Bed-Wetting: Should My Child See a Doctor?
Depression: Should My Child Take Medicine to Treat Depression?
Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics?
Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine?
Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
Tonsillitis: Should My Child Have a Tonsillectomy?
Umbilical Hernia: Should My Child Have Surgery?

ADHD: Helping Your Child Get the Most From School
ADHD: Helping Your Child Get Things Done
Allergies in Children: Giving an Epinephrine Shot to a Child
Amblyopia: Wearing an Eye Patch
Asthma in Children: Helping a Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler and Mask Spacer
Asthma: Taking Charge of Your Asthma
Bipolar Disorder in Children: Helping Your Child Prevent Manic Episodes
Chickenpox: Controlling the Itch
Croup: Managing a Croup Attack
Cystic Fibrosis: Helping Your Child Cough Up Mucus
Diabetes in Children: Checking Blood Sugar in a Child
Diabetes in Children: Counting Carbs
Diabetes in Children: Giving Insulin Shots to a Child
Diabetes in Children: Preparing a Care Plan for School
Diabetes in Children: Preventing High Blood Sugar
Diabetes in Children: Treating Low Blood Sugar
Fitness: Teaching Your Child to Stay Active
Grief: Helping Children With Grief
Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
Healthy Eating: Helping Your Child Learn Healthy Eating Habits
Sleep: Helping Your Children-and Yourself-Sleep Well
Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress
Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop

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Current as of: October 9, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine

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