Nemours Expert, Author at Nemours Blog | Expert Guidance on Children's Health and Wellness

Child taking piece of sugar substitute with tongs in restaurant

ALL BLOGS

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe for Kids? What Parents Should Know

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 2–18 consume about six teaspoons of sugar per day. According to most sources, kids in America are consuming at least three times that amount. Added sugar — the kind that’s put in sweetened drinks, flavored yogurts, and even healthy low-fat packaged foods to make them taste better — is also upping kids’ consumption, and there are more than 60 terms for added sugar approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One way many consumers try to lower their use of sugar, both regular and added, is to use artificial sweeteners (also called sugar substitutes). Regardless of intent, most Americans consume some form of an artificial sweeter daily. That’s because sugar substitutes are used in a variety of packaged products from pudding and candy to desserts and syrups. Reducing added sugar is a benefit of artificial sweeteners, but parents need […]

Two little girls are having a water break on the running track at athletics club. One girl is standing with her hands on hips, the other is taking a big gulp of water from bottle.

YOUTH SPORTS

Nutrition, Hydration, and Recovery for Young Athletes

Supporting a growing athlete starts with understanding one key principle: performance nutrition isn’t about exotic supplements or complicated meal plans. The good news for parents of young athletes is that fueling your competitor is simply about eating the right balance of quality foods for the right activity — from training to post workout recovery to the big game. While athletes do need strategic nutrition to support their performance, the foundation is the same balanced, wholesome eating that benefits everyone in your family. Sports nutrition is really just smart, consistent healthy eating — with a few key timing adjustments. Building Blocks of Sports Nutrition Carbohydrates: The Primary Energy Source for Young Athletes Carbohydrates are found in foods like pasta, rice, bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. They are the body’s preferred source of energy during a workout. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and used immediately for energy, while […]

pregnant women holding stomach with either morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum

PREGNANCY

Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis: Guidance for Expecting Moms

Pregnancy nausea is a common symptom and it’s usually called morning sickness. But when is it something more serious? An “hg pregnancy” refers to hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. This condition is more intense than typical morning sickness. The difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum (often just called “hyperemesis”) mainly comes down to severity and impact, but it can have an impact — on both mother and baby. It’s rare, but your doctor can help. What is morning sickness? Morning sickness is extremely common in that it affects up to 70–80% of pregnancies. It usually starts at around 4–6 weeks and eases by about 12–14 weeks. The symptoms are mild to moderate nausea, sometimes with occasional vomiting. It may be uncomfortable, but most people can still eat, drink, and maintain hydration. Most expectant parents treat it at home with diet adjustments (small […]

Little boy with food allergies is admiring cakes and other sweets on the showcase in cafe or supermarket.

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Life with Food Allergies: How to Adapt as Your Child Grows

You’ve just taken your 6-month-old baby to the pediatrician, and they recommended you start to introduce common allergenic (something that has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction) foods like dairy, eggs, and peanuts. But what if your baby has a reaction? What does life look like with food allergies? Food Allergies in Babies and Toddlers My brother was diagnosed with an egg allergy when he was about a year old after taking a bite of my dad’s breakfast sandwich. This triggered a series of testing that eventually led him to be diagnosed with allergies to peanuts and cottonseed oil as well. Sometimes kids will grow out of their food allergies, but others will have them for life. At the time of a new diagnosis, it is really hard to predict whether or not your child will grow out of the allergy. The priority at this time is keeping them […]

A diverse group of doctors are indoors in a medical clinic. They are standing in a group and smiling for the camera.

RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT

The Role of Resident Doctors in Pediatric Care

Picture this: You’re in the emergency room for your child who accidentally swallowed a quarter. After you are put in a room, the members of your care team introduce themselves as your nurse and your resident doctor. They tell you that your child will be taken back for an X-ray. While your child is having the X-ray and you have a moment to think, you wonder to yourself, “Wait, what kind of doctor?” The resident doctor comes back to update you that the X-ray did not show any coins or other objects swallowed. You breathe a sigh of relief knowing that your child is going to be fine, but you take this opportunity to ask your care team, “So what is a resident doctor?” What is a Resident Doctor? A resident doctor, also just called a resident or a resident physician, is someone who has completed both college and medical […]

Teenager with type 1 diabetes using an app to check his sugar level at home while working on homework

RESEARCH

Managing Depression in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Managing a chronic condition like Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is never easy, especially for children and adolescents. It requires constant attention to blood sugar levels, insulin administration, and carbohydrate intake, among many other factors. But there is a lesser known obstacle to this condition that often goes overlooked: mental health struggles, specifically, depression. Alexandra Monzon, PhD, a clinical pediatric psychologist with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, is working to provide targeted mental health interventions for children with T1D. Why Depression is More Common in Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Dr. Monzon explained that T1D is stressful for young patients due to its demanding and constant nature — it requires patients to “be their own pancreas.” The continuous effort to regulate blood sugar through diet and insulin shots can lead to patients being overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. Dr. Monzon noted that symptoms can overlap and intensify in patients with Type 1 diabetes […]

Image of newborn who is the 300th birth in the Nemours Children's Health Advanced Delivery Unit in Delaware.

MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE

300 Births and Counting: Inside the Nemours Advanced Delivery Unit

The advanced delivery unit (ADU) at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware recently reached a major milestone — welcoming 300 babies into this world! Expectant parents can take comfort in the comprehensive multidisciplinary care model of the Nemours Advanced Delivery Program, which is designed for babies diagnosed with medical conditions before birth that require a post-delivery intensive care unit stay. This planning ensures that newborns’ medical needs are met, allowing access to nationally renowned pediatric specialists and providing families with necessary support and guidance during a critical time. The story of baby Ricky’s family illustrates the program’s benefits, as they chose to plan his arrival at the Nemours Children’s ADU after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) before birth. When a Family Learns Their Baby Needs Extra Care Most commonly, families learn their unborn baby will need specialized care during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Ultrasounds during pregnancy are often […]

Pediatric cancer patient bonding with family in nature showcasing the importance of emotional support during care.

RESEARCH

Emotional Support Matters for Families Facing a Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis

Nemours Children’s Health cancer research shows parents and providers may disagree on how to prioritize support The Emotional Side of Childhood Cancer Care When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents and care teams share the same goal: making sure the child gets the best care possible. But pediatric cancer care goes beyond treatment. Children and families facing a cancer diagnosis often need psychosocial resources like mental and emotional support. New cancer research from Nemours Children’s Health shows that while both parents and healthcare providers agree that these resources are important, they don’t always agree on which ones should come first. Inside the Research: Exploring Priorities in Family Support In 2015, experts and cancer advocates, including Nemours Children’s researchers, published the first Standards for the Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and their Families. These guidelines define best practices for this area of pediatric oncology care and how to best […]

Young pregnant woman lying on sofa at home, looking at the ultrasound scan photo of her baby.

PREGNANCY

Planning for Pregnancy: What to Know About Health and Risk Factors

The decision to become pregnant is a significant life choice. By working with healthcare experts in advance, you can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy and a positive outcome. If you’re planning to conceive, consider scheduling a preconception consultation with your healthcare provider several months to a year before attempting to get pregnant. This allows time to implement any necessary lifestyle adjustments or prenatal testing they recommend. If you have concerns or anticipate a high-risk pregnancy, talk to your doctor to see if they recommend consulting a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist for any extra guidance and care. What is Preconception Care? Preconception care is taking proactive steps to optimize your health before getting pregnant, which evidence suggests can significantly impact the possibility of a healthy pregnancy. In fact, as the clinical evidence continues to support this idea, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics has developed an online preconception […]

Father checking on his sick daughter at home who might have COVID, RSV, or the flu.

COMMON ILLNESSES

Comparing Flu, COVID-19, and RSV: A Guide for Parents

Does your child keep getting colds? Runny noses? A cough that just won’t go away? How can you tell if it’s COVID-19, the flu, or RSV? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, even healthy kids get about 6–10 colds each year. There are a number of different viruses that make the rounds, especially during fall and winter months, and here are some things to watch for when it comes to making decisions about diagnosis, home care, and potential visits to the doctor. What are flu symptoms, COVID symptoms, and RSV symptoms? There is a lot of overlap between symptoms. This means some of the symptoms of flu, COVID, and RSV can appear similar to other respiratory illnesses, up to and including the common cold. It would require a test to confirm a diagnosis for flu, COVID, or RSV. Plus, it’s also possible to have more than one of the […]

Kissing bug on a leaf that carries Chagas disease

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Chagas Disease: What Parents Should Know

More than 7 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (or T. cruzi), the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In the United States, the number of cases is relatively low but appears to be growing, especially in certain regions. According to experts at UCLA Health, approximately 45,000 people in Los Angeles County are infected, among more than 300,000 in the United States, and fewer than 2% of them are aware they carry the parasite. However, these reports are not as current as the clinical community would like, given the calculated risk of exposure. This has led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advocate for reclassifying certain states as endemic (en-DEM-ik) areas where infected parasites live and potentially transmit the disease. What is Chagas disease? Chagas (SHAH-gus) disease is caused by the T. cruzi parasite, which is harbored by approximately a dozen species of bloodsucking triatomine bugs, commonly referred […]

girl making a face while eating a vegetable

NUTRITION

Tips for Helping Your Picky Eater Enjoy Healthy Foods

You are at your pediatrician’s office for a well-visit, and the doctor asks you to describe your toddler’s diet. You want to say they eat a variety of healthy foods, but in reality, your child refuses to look at anything green or remotely healthy and is hooked on pizza, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese. Does this sound familiar? Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and we’re here to help! Let’s work together to find creative ways to get more fruits and vegetables into your picky eater. Better Tricks for Better Eating Habits You may have heard about ways to sneak healthy options into foods your child already likes, such as zucchini in muffins and blended broccoli into spaghetti sauce. While this is a great way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, there may be more long-term benefits in helping your child learn to want to eat these foods. To […]

POSTED BY: Nemours Expert

POSTED BY:
Nemours Expert