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As summer heats up, many of us flock to pools, lakes, and beaches to cool off. But beneath the fun and relaxation lies a serious risk: accidental drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children, especially among toddlers and adolescents. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 years and for children and adults with autism, according to the American Red Cross. Learn how to prevent drowning and stay safe in the water with your family this summer. Preparation is Key Before you get to the pool, lake, pond, or ocean: Safety in the Water While you’re in the water: From Avoiding Risks to Understanding “Dry Drowning” Water safety matters everywhere and keeping it top of mind helps you manage the risks. Drowning Statistics and Why They Matter Drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, following decades of decline, […]

Ticks might look like insects, but they’re not. They’re part of the arachnid family, which includes spiders. When a tick bites, it attaches itself to the skin and sucks blood. Most tick bites are harmless and don’t need medical treatment. But some ticks (like the deer tick) can carry harmful germs that cause illnesses like Lyme disease. How can I prevent tick bites and Lyme disease? While enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to remember that there are hundreds of kinds of ticks, and not all ticks carry Lyme disease. Here are some tips to help protect your family from the risk of a tick bite before heading out, and what to do after a day of exploring nature: Ticks removed within 36 hours are less likely to spread diseases. So, if you pluck the tick off right away, your child can’t be infected. Because ticks (especially deer ticks) are tiny, they may be hard to […]

Aiden was tall, strong and active, and his weight was only slightly above expected for his age. His family had no cause for concern until he developed severe, unexplained abdominal pain at the age of 10. After multiple checkups and tests, Aiden was diagnosed with a metabolic liver condition. As part of his treatment, he enrolled at the Healthy Weight and Wellness Clinic at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to supporting and guiding families in helping children improve their health and well-being. Now 13, he is proud of the lifestyle changes he’s made working with the clinic. He’s increased his physical activity and added healthy foods to a balanced diet that still includes some teen favorites. “Now, I’ll snack on a salad, and I never thought I would do that,” he said. Aiden and his mother, Jennifer Downey, spoke at a December symposium titled “Obesity and Diabetes […]

It’s that time of year again: flu season. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to help you and your kids avoid spending the winter feeling terrible and curled up with a box of tissues. Just ask your child to follow these five tips from our medical experts: Wash Your Hands Washing your hands is the single most effective method of preventing respiratory illnesses, including the flu. Keep in mind, when washing your hands, make sure to scrub for at least 20 seconds. (Just tell your kids that’s about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.) Always make sure to wash your hands before and after eating food, after contact with frequently touched surfaces, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have access to soap and water, make sure to use hand sanitizer. Cover Your Coughs (and Sneezes) When you cough or sneeze, […]

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is often an overwhelming and life changing experience for children and families. Julia Price, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist at Nemours Children’s Health, works to help patients adjust to life with diabetes, using behavioral interventions to help kids and caregivers communicate about managing this complex illness. A major focus of Price’s work is implementation science, which is aimed at making sure that scientific advances ultimately reach the patients and families who most need them. To raise awareness of this work and demonstrate her leadership in this space, on October 11, Price moderated a panel on community participation and partnerships at a workshop held by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. “This workshop offered a unique opportunity to connect with leaders in the fields of implementation science, health equity and community-engaged research, all focused on […]

Between colds, the flu, and other viruses, lots of kids get sick in the fall. This year it could be due to a lung infection called walking pneumonia that’s becoming more common, especially in young children. It’s also known as mycoplasma pneumonia since it’s often caused by the bacteria mycoplasma pneumoniae. While usually mild, it can still make kids uncomfortable and cause breathing problems. Here’s what you need to know about this rising health issue. What is walking pneumonia? Walking pneumonia is a kind of bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It tends to cause milder symptoms than other forms of pneumonia, so children who have it feel well enough to walk around instead of staying in bed. This is why it’s called “walking pneumonia.” How common is walking pneumonia in kids? Each year, about 2 million people get walking pneumonia. Since spring, the infection has been more common than […]