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An estimated 7 million children in the United States have an ADHD diagnosis, according to the latest data collected in 2024 from HRSA’s National Survey of Children’s Health and reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If your child has been referred for an ADHD evaluation — or you’ve wondered whether some of their behaviors might be explained by ADHD — you probably have questions. This guide walks parents through what ADHD is, how it’s diagnosed, what treatment options look like, and how pediatricians, families, and schools can work together to support your child. What is ADHD?    ADHD stands for attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. ADHD affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, and activity level. ADHD symptoms usually appear in early childhood (before age 12), though they may be recognized much later, especially in bright or quiet kids who learn to mask their struggles with attention, self-control, […]

Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a tough allergy season. Warmer temperatures and a later first frost are giving ragweed and other weeds a longer window to grow and release pollen, while damp autumn conditions and fallen leaves keep mold spores in the air. With weed pollen arriving right on schedule in August and counts predicted to spike through September and October, parents need to plan ahead to minimize seasonal allergy suffering. By taking action before the pollen hits, your child can enjoy autumn’s colors instead of its allergens. The best way to care for allergies in kids is to track what’s happening outside, get ready for pollen season inside, and see the doctor (if needed) to manage allergies early. Can you get allergies in the fall? Yes. Seasonal allergies — also called “hay fever” — can flare up any time of year, but fall has its own set […]

A Chiari malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain — called the cerebellum — extends into the spinal canal, where it doesn’t belong. Chiari (kee-AH-ree) malformations are more common than previously known, affecting approximately 1 in every 1,000 people. Due to advances in MRI technology, they’re being identified more frequently and earlier than ever. Here’s what families should know. What is Chiari malformation?  Chiari malformations are congenital (present at birth) in nearly all cases. The issue typically develops while a fetus is growing but, depending on the Chiari type, a person may not experience symptoms until later in childhood, adulthood, or possibly never. The condition is named for German pathologist Professor Hans Chiari, who described it in the 1890s and established the Chiari Types I through IV classification still used today. One important distinction is that Chiari Type II (Arnold-Chiari malformation) is always associated with […]

The story of childhood vaccines is, at its heart, one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. For the better part of a century, parents have walked through the doors of pediatricians’ offices across the country and emerged with children protected against diseases that once claimed young lives by the thousands. Polio, measles, diphtheria — names that once inspired terror in households — have been pushed to the margins of American life largely because of the commitment clinicians and families have made to following evidence-based immunization schedules. And smallpox has been eradicated from the world. That legacy deserves to be honored and celebrated. In 2026, however, parents and pediatric healthcare providers are navigating a landscape that looks more complicated than it has in generations. Here’s what parents need to know about what’s affecting the landscape, the importance of vaccines, and how to make informed decisions. What’s different about the childhood […]

Summer is often viewed as a break from school and a chance to relax. But as the leader of a pediatric health system, I see summer as a stress test for the systems that support children’s health. When the structure of the school year falls away, we gain a clearer view of the factors that shape a child’s well-being: access to nutritious food, safe places to play, nurturing adults, learning opportunities, and stable family support. These conditions matter because medical care is only one component of health. Research consistently shows that the vast majority of health outcomes—around 85%—are shaped by the circumstances of daily life. Over the summer, dependable school breakfast and lunch give way to whatever a family can piece together. Built-in recess and physical education give way to unstructured hours, often leaving children to look for community spaces to play. The network of trusted teachers, counselors, and coaches […]

Fresh fruits and vegetables usually have good publicity. They’re the foods pediatricians, dietitians and public health experts have spent decades encouraging families to eat more often. Parents are told to fill lunchboxes with berries, add vegetables to dinner plates, and keep healthy snacks within reach. That’s why produce-related outbreaks can feel especially unsettling. Over the past several weeks, headlines about a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to fresh produce have left many families wondering whether the foods they’re trying to eat more of are suddenly the foods they should avoid. If you’ve found yourself looking at a salad a little differently lately, you’re not alone. But before you swear off fresh produce for the rest of the summer, it helps to understand why outbreaks like this happen — and why the answer isn’t as simple as “stop eating vegetables.” Why Produce Outbreaks Feel Different When a frozen food product is recalled, most […]