ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Child Development

Choosing childcare can feel a bit like starting a big adventure, one filled with new places, new faces, and lots of big decisions. The good news? Your pediatrics team is here to help you every step of the way. Here’s a friendly, easy-to-follow roadmap to help you find the best childcare fit for your family. Exploring Different Types of Childcare Options   When it comes to choosing a child or infant care provider, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right fit for your family depends on factors such as cost, location, classroom size, accommodations, and specialized services. Childcare options may be run by schools, universities, churches, independent providers, employers, hospitals, and the military. There are also specialized childcare centers for children with medical or developmental needs. Here’s an overview of the types of settings where childcare is provided: Family Childcare Homes Smaller home-based settings run by 1–2 caregivers. This is […]

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 […]

Adolescents are at a point in their lives where everything is (or simply feels like) it’s changing all around them. They’re gaining new skills as they learn and grow; they’re taking on new responsibilities as they gain more independence; and they’re navigating new social challenges — within their families, at school, and among friends as their peer group members also mature and grow. Meanwhile, their bodies are undergoing rapid physical, mental, and emotional development. When you put it all together, this can often lead to that feeling of uncertainty that most of us experienced growing up. This adolescent uncertainty leads to three core questions that almost every teenager goes to bed wondering: These questions are fundamental to an adolescent’s development and health, which is why there are differences in pediatric and adolescent medicine. Pediatrician checkups begin to change to include more questions about mental, emotional, and social well-being. Our goal […]

Rates of mental health concerns among adolescents, including depression and suicidal thoughts, have risen substantially in recent years. Studies have also shown that the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. has disproportionately affected people with low socioeconomic status, as well as Black, Indigenous, and Latino people, all of whom have experienced higher rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. According to suicide.org, about 20 percent of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood, but only about 30 percent of teens are being treated for their symptoms. Pediatric primary care is an important setting for routine mental health screening among adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends universal screening by primary care providers for all patients 12 years of age and older at their annual well visits. Depression screenings are important because signs can often be missed if they are not obvious to untrained individuals.  Kids who are in distress often […]

While back to school season is usually an exciting time for most students, many kids and teens may also be feeling anxious or worried about what this school year might have in store. For many students, this is the first time they will return to in person learning since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While some may be looking forward to getting back to their normal schedules, there are those who are struggling with returning to school under new conditions.  A lot of kids and teens have struggled with stress and uncertainty over the last year because of the disruptions to “normal” life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While returning to in person learning has many benefits for mental health and well-being, especially increased socializing that is crucial for kids and teens, your child may also have some concerns about heading back to school this year, including: Being behind other classmates […]

In recent years, integrative medicine has become common in the care of patients of all ages. This approach combines traditional and alternative medicine. It focuses not only on physical well-being, but also on emotional and sometimes even spiritual aspects of a person’s health. Nemours Children’s Health uses integrative medicine to treat the whole child: body, mind and spirit. When kids and their families walk through Nemours’ doors, whether in an inpatient or outpatient setting, the facility focuses on the children’s overall wellness and healing. Depending on the complexity of the condition, treatment will likely incorporate medications and physical therapies. But to get at the heart of healing, Nemours also incorporates complementary solutions such as nutrition and physical activity strategies, mind-body methods like yoga and meditation, and therapies including massage and aromatherapy. What is integrative medicine? Integrative medicine is an approach to care that puts your child at the center. It addresses […]