You might think cholesterol and heart disease are only adult concerns, but research shows cardiovascular disease begins in childhood. Many teens have unhealthy cholesterol levels, meaning their good cholesterol is too low or their bad cholesterol is too high. And the risk increases dramatically with weight — with obese teens being affected at a rate of 43%. Since childhood obesity rates are significantly higher than in previous generations, more kids are developing abnormal cholesterol levels early. And obesity doesn’t just affect cholesterol — it increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. Ready to make a real difference in your child’s heart health? Here are four simple habits you can start today. 1. Get Moving Every Day Being active at a young age can help lay the groundwork for being physically active as an adult. But how much exercise is recommended for children? Healthy kids should get […]

Prenatal genetic counseling and preconception (the time period and care that happens prior to pregnancy) genetic counseling and testing offer ways to gain further information and education that can help patients and families make informed decisions about their pregnancy and for preconception planning. There are many testing options available nowadays with different benefits, risks, and limitations. This article lays the foundation for essential questions you may have, such as: However, it’s important to keep in mind that genetic counseling and genetic testing are voluntary — it’s your choice. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reaffirmed in January 2026 that, “After pretest counseling, every patient has the right to pursue or decline prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing.” So, keep the communication open with your OB/GYN, or maternal-fetal medicine doctors, about the types of testing you’re comfortable with and what the information means (and what it doesn’t). […]

For Aleecia, Jeremiah’s mom, the first few days of her newborn’s life were filled with a mix of joy and growing concern. Jeremiah was born with no voice, a stark contrast to the usual cries of a newborn. The absence of his voice was the first indication that something was amiss. After just three days, ENT specialists at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware made a startling discovery: Jeremiah’s vocal cords were fused together, a rare and life-threatening condition known as congenital laryngeal web. Aleecia found herself thrust into a role she never imagined she would have to play. “The inability to breathe or cry properly meant we were in a state of immediate crisis from the moment he was born,” she recalls. “It was a frightening diagnosis that required immediate, specialized intervention.” The urgency of the situation was evident, and the surgical team at Nemours Children’s wasted no time in preparing […]

Early in my pregnancy, we learned from an OBGYN that our daughter would face a series of complex medical challenges — her left eye had not fully developed, she had agenesis of the corpus callosum, and significant spine and ribcage abnormalities. These findings led to a diagnosis of Aicardi Syndrome. When the doctor shared the diagnosis, his initial recommendation was to consider terminating the pregnancy, then he left us to process the devastating news in disbelief and sorrow. In that moment of heartbreak and confusion, we chose faith. We decided we would not give up on our child or on God. From that day forward, we made a promise to always champion our daughter’s life and advocate for her future, no matter what challenges lay ahead. We left that doctor were soon referred to and followed by another high-risk maternal-fetal team, where we continued to receive compassionate and specialized care […]

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 […]

At 11 years old, music was Garikoitz’s passion, but something was standing in the way. As a young violinist, he found himself constantly falling behind during rehearsals, arriving late on every note. What seemed like a simple coordination issue was actually something far more significant: a hearing problem that was affecting every aspect of Garikoitz’s life. In the classroom, teachers mistook his struggles for attention difficulties. “In reality, I just wasn’t receiving information fast enough to respond,” says Garikoitz. He felt stuck, unable to keep pace through no fault of his own. His mother sensed that something deeper was at play and made the decision to seek help at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. A Compassionate Approach to Care From the moment they walked through the doors, the family was met with warmth and understanding. Audiologists Teresa C. Tray and Elyssa McRae conducted comprehensive hearing evaluations, quickly pinpointing the underlying issue. […]