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You hear the word “cholesterol” and a child doesn’t exactly come to mind – more like one of us grown-ups fighting the urge to scarf down that double cheeseburger. But, in the wake of the ongoing childhood obesity epidemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says tracking youngsters’ cholesterol levels at an early age may help fend off future heart disease, the No. 1 killer of both men and women. So many adults suffer from heart disease in this country. It can be a scary disease to have and it can cause further health problems too, such as heart attacks and even erectile dysfunction. For men, erectile dysfunction can be worrying, however, there are treatments available at online pharmacies, like Blink Health. Those treatments can help men to experience better blood flow in that area, allowing them to achieve an erection. That’s just one health risk associated with heart disease, […]

At Nemours and elsewhere around the globe, April is the month to shine a light on the autism community. As parents, learning the signs of autism spectrum disorder, observing your child’s development, getting a timely and accurate diagnosis, and beginning treatment as early as possible can make a critical difference in your child’s future. Here are the basics: What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? ASD is a lifelong, neurologically-based developmental disorder that’s described as a ”spectrum” because symptoms can vary in type and severity. No two cases are exactly alike. The core features of ASD are a) social and communication deficits and b) repetitive or restricted behavior, interests or activities. What causes ASD and how common is it? While a precise cause is unknown, a variety of factors, including environmental, biologic and genetic factors, are thought to increase the likelihood that a child will have ASD. The prevalence of autism […]

If you start to take weekly bike rides with your second-grader or go on daily walks with your teen, chances are, the drive to exercise just might start to kick in. A recent study by researchers at Northwestern University found that kids tend to copy their parents’ unhealthy habits. Now this doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to your chill time too, such as sitting and reading a book or playing cheap PC games once in a while. Everyone is entitled to spend some time each day chilling out and doing what they enjoy. However, showing your children that a small amount of exercise each day is important will benefit them in the long run. So your example might have more of an effect than you think. Although some issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can be genetic, they are also affected by lifestyle. The study found […]

Every few months, some kind of infection sweeps through classrooms, camps and daycare centers — chickenpox, colds, pink eye and ear infections — each taking their turn infecting children. One occurrence, though, seems to send parents into a tailspin when there’s a slightest whisper of the dreaded word — lice. And now, with the appearance of what many are calling super lice — or lice that are resistant to most over-the-counter treatments — parents are more concerned than ever about the little creatures that nest in children’s hair. First and foremost, super lice are still treatable, but instead of the affordable over-the-counter remedies, super lice can be treated with an expensive prescription medication that only some insurance companies will cover. Prevention is the best solution for your child — and your bank account. With all of the tips, tricks and rumors about lice you may have heard, it’s difficult to tell […]

For children and families who are navigating serious medical concerns, visits to the hospital can be stressful and tedious – even a little scary. That’s why the Child Life and Social Work team at Nemours Children’s Hospital is dedicated to building a supportive, enriching and fun environment for the children in our care. It’s a mission the team embraces every day, but during the week of March 21st, the work of the Child Life and Social Work team took on extra importance as we celebrated National Child Life and Social Work Month. The team focused on the theme of Transformation, and celebrated with related activities each day. And it wasn’t just the patients who benefitted – staff from departments throughout Nemours Children’s Hospital got in on the festivities.  Associates from various departments supported their Child Life and Social Work colleagues through their attire, sharing stories of success and showering the […]

What happens when kids and their parents get together on a Saturday morning in March? Friendships are strengthened, learning is communal, and beautiful artwork is created. That’s exactly what happened at the second annual Cerebral Palsy (CP) Family Spring Social held at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood. CP is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. “Cerebral” means having to do with the brain, and “palsy” means weakness or problems with using the muscles. Like many disabilities, there are varying degrees of severity—some children might only have a mild impairment while others are severely affected. At the CP Family Social the goal was to bring children with CP, and their siblings, together to show how all kids, when given the right tools, can be creative, expressive, and empowered. Lisa […]