A fever is the body's way of fighting off an infection. Raising the body temperature overheats and kills some infections, increases inflammation and activates white blood cells. A fever almost always indicates some kind of illness, and a child...
According to the American Pregnancy Association, an obstetrician or OB-GYN is a doctor specially trained to manage prenatal care, labor and the delivery of your baby. In addition to a PHD, this type of doctor also receives special training in the...
Giving birth to your baby may be causing you worry or fear. Part of your doctor's job is to help ease your fears and give you the confidence to approach childbirth as a knowledgeable mother-to-be. The best time to ask your doctor questions about...
Parenting comes with a large number of responsibilities along with important decisions to be made. You are responsible for the health and safety of your child. Whether you are a new parent or have multiple children, childhood illnesses can be a...
A child's heart rate can say a lot about her health. Your child's doctors should routinely check her heart rate to make sure her heart operating within a normal range and does not have an abnormal rhythm. As a parent, you can monitor your child's...
Numbers and mathematical functions are important aspects of healthcare in general. Doctors are trained in the use of mathematical equations and statistical analysis during college and medical school. When doctors specialize, they may use...
As soon as you notice developmental delays or abnormalities in your child, request a developmental screening from your doctor to determine whether autism may be present. If so, ask for a referred to an autism specialist for a comprehensive...
While there are general guidelines for infant development, all babies are different and develop at varying rates, report doctors at the National Network for Child Care. Understanding and recognizing the different levels of an individual baby can...
While there may be a number of overweight kids in your child's class and neighborhood, your child may undergo enough teasing to make him want to lose weight. Additionally, obesity can cause serious medical issues in children, including diabetes,...
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, about 300,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy. For some of these children, epilepsy is a temporary condition which they will outgrow as they get older, while for others it is a...
It’s OK to read to your unborn baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies can hear well before birth. But don’t count on your prenatal efforts making your baby smarter or more well read. Instead, think of these...
Meningitis is a serious and often contagious inflammation of the meninges membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. KidsHealth.org warns that fast diagnosis and treatment for this illness is important because some types meningitis can be...
A fever, a common ailment among toddlers, is generally a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection. According to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Children, a fever acts as a defense mechanism that helps the body to fight infection. If the...
It can be hard to stomach when your child pulls off his shoes and his feet smell worse than those of some adults. "Frequently, children's feet will sweat more than adults' feet," says Dr. Rosario Labarbera, chief of podiatry at the General...
Many expectant mothers wonder if it is safe to exercise during pregnancy, especially those women expecting their first child. Doctors do say that not only is exercise safe during pregnancy for those with low-risk pregnancies, they recommend it...
Children begin receiving immunizations in infancy to protect them from contracting dangerous childhood diseases. Health care professionals recommend that children receive about 30 vaccination doses by the time they are 2 years of age, with some...
Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders that affect each child differently. All children exhibit problems with social skills, communication and behavior, but the severity of symptoms varies from child to child. Doctors and therapists...
ADHD, formally known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common childhood condition characterized by varying degrees of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. Testing for the syndrome involves both a general diagnosis and the...
Children under the age of 18 are eligible for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments, if they meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability and if their resources---including family income---fall within certain limits....
In 1965, researchers at the University of Florida studied why heat diminished the performance levels of its football players. The team of doctors learned that exerting energy in hot climates caused the body to sweat harder and faster, leading to a...
Talipes equinovarus, also called clubfoot, affects around one in 1,000 babies, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A baby with talipes equinovarus may have one or both feet twisted in the wrong position. The cause is...
Parenting is always a challenge, but if you have a child with ADHD, the challenge gets even greater. Children with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, require additional structure and routine--and lots of patience--to help them...
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. It is used by the body to regulate sleep patterns. Low levels of the hormone can lead to sleep disturbances, and melatonin supplements can help improve quality of sleep. Studies have shown that...
Many parents of autistic children find that a gluten and casein free diet helps alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disorder. Other children may be allergic to or intolerant of these substances, requiring them to be eliminated from...
A child who is ill with an infection likely needs a fair amount of rest and sleep to help her recover fully. However, it is often difficult to sleep when the infection is accompanied by uncomfortable or painful symptoms such as earache, sore...
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1 percent of children, according to Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic. In children, bipolar disorder symptoms include frequent outbursts, agitation, difficulty getting along with peers, sleeping...
High health insurance costs make some families question the value of insurance. A healthy family might feel they don't really need the insurance. However, this leaves children who are still growing and developing in a vulnerable position. Lack of...
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), spondylolisthesis occurs when a backbone, or vertebrae, shifts out of place. This can cause a patient to experience lower back pain, muscle tightness, pain in the thighs or buttocks,...
You can help prepare your child for a visit to the doctor by discussing why doctors are important. Explain to your child that a doctor is a person who helps people get well when they are sick or hurt. Stress to your child that even when he is...