Health &
Wellness Library
Articles, videos and more to keep your family healthy.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness that is most commonly identified by its telltale rash. The virus is easily spread through coughing, sneezing or coming into contact with the sore blisters that appear in the mouth or on the feet. While hand, foot and mouth disease typically affects children under the age of 5, a person of any age including adults can contract the virus.
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Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the inner eyelids and white surface of the eye. It may sound (and look) scary, but pink eye in children is usually mild and often goes away on its own.
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Michele's pregnancy with their first-born daughter, Mia, was, "beautiful," as her husband Michael puts it.
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If someone is constantly taking selfies, some might suspect that person is narcissistic. On the other hand, another opinion might be that the person has low self-esteem. In fact, some argue that posting selfies is a cry for attention.
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Summer is a favorite time of year for many children – and for good reason. The long days of summer provide a much-anticipated break from school and are often filled with swimming, cookouts, travel and outdoor fun. But summer can also carry danger for children. Drowning incidents increase during the summer months, and the hot sun puts kids at risk of sunburn, dehydration and heat-related illness.
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Over the summer, without classmates or schoolwork, many children find themselves a little bored.
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The spookiest day of the year is quickly sneaking up on us. You're probably already on your way to being knee deep in pumpkins, costumes, candy and creating great Halloween memories for your child.
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Take charge of your child’s heart health by developing habits now that will reap benefits later in life. According to Dr. Colin Kane, pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Health℠, the most effective way to do this is to make healthy living a priority for the whole family.
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Before starting kindergarten in August 2018, Molly spent the summer traveling with her family, swimming, spending time in the country with her grandparents and playing dress-up with her big sister. She loves her big sister, ice cream and dogs. Seeing her, you would never guess that her earliest days were spent at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
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As obesity rates increase in children, the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is also rising. Both conditions not only rob kids of good health early in life, they set children up for serious health problems as adults.
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During fall, the harvest of much-awaited fruits and veggies begin to line the tables of farmer's markets and grocery stores. Pumpkins, the squash that seems to get all the attention, aren't just for carving. They're full of many health benefits too.
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Many kids and teens associate the onset of summer break with freedom – no homework, no tardy bells and no schedules.
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It's not commonplace for a child to need a gluten-free diet to stay healthy, but when it's your child, you want the facts and a plan. One in every 130 children is diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which gluten (a protein in wheat, rye and barley) inflames the intestines.
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In an interview with the Mirror in April 2014, a British teen with body dysmorphic disorder described spending up to 10 hours a day taking hundreds of photos of himself at a time in pursuit of the perfect selfie. He admitted that he eventually attempted suicide in response to his dissatisfaction with his appearance in selfies. Although taking selfies did not cause this young man’s body dysmorphic disorder, one way in which his disorder manifested itself was his preoccupation with taking an "ideal" selfie.
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When your child has a heart condition, you want to understand everything about that condition, their treatment options and the procedures they undergo. What if you could see your child's heart in order to visualize exactly what’s happening? Now, you can.
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The number of teens who vape has risen significantly over the past decade. In 2011, approximately 1.5% of high school students reported e-cigarette use in the past month. In 2018, 20.9% of high school seniors reported vaping within the past month – and more than 37% reported using e-cigarettes within the past 12 months.
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Presents aren't the only thing in hiding during the holiday season. With more travel, parties, family and shopping, germs hide out and often show up uninvited to spread contagious illnesses that can put a damper on holiday fun.
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Between work, school schedules and extra-curricular activities, having the time to make a healthy dinner for your family every night can feel impossible. However, a little bit of planning and prep can go a long way in getting a nutritious meal on the table. Otto Santiago, clinical dietitian at Children's Health, shares four tips to help make meal planning easier for busy parents.
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Most parents, at one time or another, have had a difficult time getting their toddler to go to bed. For some it’s a nightly struggle.
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During the adolescent years, your relationship with your child can start to change. Teens and pre-teens begin to experience a new understanding of the world and become more independent. That means your role in their life changes, too, which can be uncomfortable for many parents.
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You may have heard about the COVID-19 Mu variant after cases were reported across the U.S., including in North Texas. Variants are versions of a virus that have changed as the virus spreads. Mu is one version of the COVID-19 virus that the World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring as a "variant of interest."
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With 1 in 5 children affected by obesity, childhood obesity is considered an epidemic in the U.S. In fact, the number of children and teens affected by obesity has more than tripled over the past 50 years.
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The onset of winter often brings coughs and sniffles – especially in children. Kids can get six to eight colds per year, and when they're feeling bad, you want to be able to provide quick relief. Be prepared by taking stock of your medicine cabinet to ensure you have cold and flu essentials on hand before you need them.
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Just because playgrounds are designed for kids doesn't mean they are injury-proof. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 children go to the emergency department for a playground-related injury each year. These injuries can include fractures as well as traumatic brain injuries such as concussions.
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There's something timeless about state fairs, and for many families, they are a favorite annual tradition. The State Fair of Texas is the longest-running in the nation – as well as one of the largest – meaning there is a lot for kids to explore. Amidst all the food, fun and activities, it's important to keep safety top of mind. Here are a few tips to keep kids happy and healthy during your trip to the fair.
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For some children, a diagnosis of diabetes comes only after they experience diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening condition. If your child has diabetes or is at risk for diabetes due to a family history or other factors, understanding DKA and its symptoms can help you respond quickly and get your child the necessary care. Huay-Lin Lo, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinologist at Children's Health and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, shares important information on DKA.
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When you think of swimming pool safety, drowning prevention may be the first thing to come to mind. But recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is shining light on another recreational water risk: Cryptosporidium (Crypto), a microscopic parasite that can linger in pool water for days and cause severe GI issues.
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As the winter months approach and the temperatures get cooler, many of us hibernate and seek out our favorite comfort foods. Making time for physical activity not only helps offset all the holiday eating, but it can create new family traditions around healthier behaviors.
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Toys can be hazardous, resulting in hundreds of thousands of injuries each year for children age 14 or younger. There are simple ways to ensure that the toys that kids are playing with are safe and age-appropriate. Whether you’re a parent yourself or looking to give a holiday gift to a child you know, following these steps will help decrease the number of toy-related injuries and provide peace of mind for those gifting toys to children.
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Did you know that Texas leads the nation in child hot car deaths? According to KidsAndCars.org, 143 children died from vehicular heatstroke in Texas between 1990 and 2020. Hot car deaths in 2018 were at an all-time high with a total of 54 children dying in hot cars nationwide.
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Is kindness something that is taught, or is it inherent? It's a question that many parents wonder. The truth is, kindness is a little bit of both – nature and nurture – and they work together.
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The feeling of gratitude can have huge benefits for your child's mental health. Gratitude is typically associated with optimism, a more positive sense of well being and even increased happiness.
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Between standard vaccines and an annual flu shot, kids get many shots throughout their early lives. At some point, it's likely that most children will be scared of shots. According to a 2018 survey, half of 2- to 5-year-olds are afraid of visiting the doctor, and 1 in 25 parents have delayed or canceled a vaccination visit because of their child's fear.
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To kids, Halloween is a fun night of costumes and collecting treats from houses up and down the streets. To parents, Halloween can mean something entirely different – piles of candy sitting around and weeks of constantly negotiating how much candy their children can eat.
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Mental health disorders in children are on the rise. But, even with up to 1 in 5 children experiencing a mental health disorder, many people are uncomfortable talking about children's mental health. Learning more about mental health disorders in children and the stigmas attached to them can make the topic less scary.
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Childhood is often thought of as a carefree time without worries. However, it’s important to know that children can experience anxiety, just like adults. The good news is you can help your child better handle anxiety.
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We all know the impact music can have on our moods: You may find yourself suddenly dancing in the kitchen or singing in the car when one of your favorite songs plays on the radio. Or maybe you feel a sense of peace when you hear a particular melody.
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Symptoms of the flu can include sore throat, congestion, fever, chills and fatigue. If your child is feeling sick, help them feel better by encouraging rest and keeping them hydrated. You can also try these home remedies to give relief.
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The Omicron variant is now the most widespread COVID-19 variant in the U.S. The highly transmissible variant is causing a surge in cases. For many parents, it’s also causing renewed concern about their child’s health.
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Prom season is here. Teens around North Texas have started planning for prom, searching for the perfect prom dress or tux and carefully planning each detail of what they expect to be a memorable night.
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Getting sick is never convenient, but with virtual visit, seeing a health care provider can be. Virtual visits are a quick and easy way to see a health care provider without needing to visit a doctor's office. See six tips to help you have a successful virtual appointment and get the care you or your family member needs.
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Most of the time, eating at home makes it easier to choose healthy options than eating out. However, if you are home all day without a regular schedule, you may find it hard to resist frequent, unhealthy snacks and more difficult to take time out for a nutritious meal.
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When asked what a healthy lunch looks like, dietitians at Children's Health remind parents that the best lunch is one that your child will eat. But how do you encourage your child to eat the foods that will power them through the second half of the day, rather than slow them down? Packing tasty, healthy options will help.
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To make the most of your visit with the pediatrician, make a list of those questions and bring them with you.
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The start of a new school year can be exciting, but it can also make your child feel anxious, especially if last year was rough or if they are entering a new school. While some back-to-school tips are widely known (like getting plenty of sleep and [eating a healthy breakfast), there are other ways to start your child off with a positive mental health outlook for the year ahead.
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This article includes recipes from a mother with children who are allergic to some, but not all, of the top eight food allergens. Many of her recipes do use soy, so we recommend that all parents should be mindful about reading food labels to make sure the meal is safe for your child to eat. National food allergy guidelines recommend avoidance of products with potential cross-contamination of foods that may contain allergens. Since food labels frequently change, it is important for parents to read the label every time a product is purchased. See our tips for reading food labels here.
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Have fun with your children at pools, lakes and beaches – boating, swimming or just playing in the sand!
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Your home can be a familiar place of comfort for your children, but certain everyday items around the house can also pose a risk to their safety.
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We tend to think of young children as picky eaters because by nature they are suspicious of new foods, and at this age they start exerting their independence in the form of saying 'no!' says Olivia Munger, a Registered Dietitian with the Children's Health℠ Get Up and Go program.
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Whether vacation involves driving across the country or flying to a new location, there's one item parents of infants and toddlers shouldn't forget to pack: their child's car seat.
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For many kids, riding their bike to school is a rite of passage. But even for older children, who may have more experience riding to school, biking can bring risks.
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As COVID-19 continues to spread, it's important to take steps to keep your family healthy. Wearing a face mask is one way to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19.
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Constipation, or difficulty pooping, affects millions of kids each year. According to a 2018 study, about 18% of toddlers and 14% of children and teens suffer from constipation.
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Allergies are one of the most common health conditions affecting children (age 0-17). Food allergies currently affect 4 - 6% of our youth in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the number of children diagnosed with food allergies is steadily increasing – up 18% in the past decade.
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The glitter, glow and frenzied fun of the holidays makes it the most festive time of the year. But the sparkle of the season can come with hidden dangers for your children. "With how busy the holidays get, it can be easy to overlook precautions you should take with decorations to keep your kids safe," says Dawn D. Johnson, M.D., Medical Director of Children's Health℠ Pediatric Group. "Taking a moment to assess your surroundings can help you identify any potential hazards and prevent them from harming your children."
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Summer vacation provides a much-appreciated break from the busy school year. But a couple months away from the classroom can also lead to learning loss between grades.
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Ever try to make a work call with children underfoot? No doubt, this has been a common experience as families stay home to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many parents have had their hands full as they try to work, manage household chores and perform the job of homeschool teacher.
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At some point, everyone has had one too many helpings at a meal. Whether the result of indulging, stress or simply being distracted, overeating can lead to discomfort and the intake of too many calories, too fast.
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Processed food is anything altered from its original form. An example is an apple compared to an apple flavored breakfast bar, or cheddar cheese compared to a cheese cracker. These products have been altered and have lots of added or artificial ingredients, so they are considered processed. Most processed foods contain added sodium, sugar and fat to extend the shelf-life.
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Vacations, holidays, family celebrations: These are great opportunities to connect with loved ones, make special memories, and enjoy delicious food and treats. But all those festivities can take a toll on your family's gut health.
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Families today are busier than ever. With so much on children's plates between school, sports and other activities, taking time to focus on an actual plate can be daunting. However, teaching children to be mindful of what they eat is an essential part of establishing healthy eating habits.
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Getting to know your child’s asthma triggers can have a big payoff: more days that your child feels good and breathes easier.
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Recognizing that your teen is struggling with substance use can be challenging. From mood swings to becoming distant, it's difficult for many parents to determine what’s normal teenage behavior and what may be a sign of a bigger problem.
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On January 11, 2018, Ivan and Amanda welcomed their third child to the world. Baby Isaac looked healthy, and the happy parents took him home from the hospital in El Paso the very next day.
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Easton was 4 years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a day his mother, Lexie, will never forget. "He had been feeling off for the last few months – always hungry, constantly thirsty and several nighttime accidents," she says. "We just figured he was going through a growth spurt."
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When Brentlee, age 5, was born, all signs pointed to a happy and healthy baby. Her mother Amber carried her to full-term, her delivery went smoothly and she scored great on the Apgar assessment often performed on babies at birth. It wasn’t until she began having difficulties feeding that her mom first suspected something may be amiss.
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Planes, trains and automobiles are just a few of Matthew's interests. He spends his days playing outside with his older brother, and his parents describe him as a happy child. You'd never know he fought courageously for his life – before he was even born.
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Erin Hunter, RN, BSN, underwent her first open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, or TOF for short, when she was just nine months old. She was referred to Children's Medical Center by her physician after her mom noticed she lacked the energy of a typical infant, especially during feedings, and her fingers and lips occasionally turned blue. She would go on to have six additional open heart surgeries by the time she was 11 years old.
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When Caroline was 3 years old, she was traveling with her parents and ate a pretzel from a snack bowl containing nuts in an airport lounge. Shortly after boarding the plane, a purple rash formed around her mouth. Her parents gave her Benadryl and didn't think too much of it.
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Shylynne, known as "Shy" to her friends and family, has loved horses for as long as she can remember. She got her first horse, Shirley, to ride around in her backyard when she was just 4 years old. Around the time she turned 6, she discovered her passion: competitive barrel racing. This rodeo event for women times a rider while she completes a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels, showcasing the athleticism and skill of both the horse and the rider.
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When Ami was pregnant with her second child, Ireland Kate, she and her husband, Mark, assumed the experience would be similar to her first pregnancy with their son, Landry.
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Lily spends every moment she can dancing with her studio. From hip hop to ballroom to tap, she competes in all types of dance. She's been a junior Texas Legends dancer, a mini Dallas Cowboy cheerleader and has placed in the top 10 of solo competitions.
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Anthony has always been an active child. He's played a variety of sports since he was 4 years old and never had any major medical concerns growing up. So when he started losing weight shortly before his 11th birthday, his parents, Laura and Raul, became concerned.
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Drowning prevention and water safety is important year-round. Learn pool safety tips for all seasons from Children's Health.
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On Jan. 21, 2006, 21-month-old Brayden accidentally drank a caustic chemical. The chemical caused third degree burns to his mouth, esophagus and stomach. Brayden was rushed to a local hospital in Tyler, Texas, where he was sedated and put on a ventilator to help him breath. The medical team there contacted Children's Health℠, requesting help due to the serious nature of Brayden's injury.
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When Daniel was 5 years old, he began experiencing chronic stomach pain and had difficulty walking after playing for a particularly long period of time. Believing that he may have a food-related allergy, his pediatrician referred Daniel to Isabel Rojas, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Children’s Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.
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When Samantha was 12 weeks pregnant with her son Beaux, she and her husband, Chris, visited her doctor's office for a routine anatomy scan. For Samantha, who already had two children, it started off as a familiar appointment, identifying Beaux's hands and feet and even viewing all four chambers of his heart. But when it came time to view his other organs, Samantha's motherly intuition sensed something was wrong.
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Like many new parents, when Miguel and Jacqueline were expecting, they dreamt about their child's future. Their hopes and aspirations grew as they prepared to welcome a new life into the world – and on February 22, 2018, their baby girl, Olivia, was born.
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Davion is a high school student who enjoys spending time with family and friends. He loves sports, especially football, which he has played since he was 4 years old. As a junior, Davion played middle linebacker and was varsity captain. But a few months after the season ended, the talented athlete got unexpected news: He had cancer.
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For many, the Juneteenth and Fourth of July holidays are a highlight of summer – and fireworks are often part of the festivities. Because of how common they are, many parents may think at-home fireworks are harmless for their children, but that is, unfortunately, not true. More than 10,000 people are treated in emergency departments in the U.S. each year due to fireworks injuries. Of these, nearly a third are children under age 15.
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Research shows that just five serious sunburns can greatly increase a child's risk of developing skin cancer later in life. The hot summer months are a good time to take stock of how parents can best protect their children's skin.
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Erin and Clint always knew they wanted to grow their family through adoption. What they didn’t know, however, was that it would happen sooner than they originally thought.
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On January 3, 2017, 16-year-old Jose returned to school after a fun and uneventful winter break. The student and active soccer player from Arlington, TX, suddenly started to feel sick: He had a bad headache, fever, nausea and chest pain. He went to the school nurse's office, where he began to feel worse. The nurse called Jose's mom, Marisol, to pick him up from school.
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Over Memorial Day weekend in 2018, 11-year-old Callie was enjoying a day at the lake when sharp pains started in her side. She approached her mom, Sunshine, who asked how bad they hurt. On a scale from 1-10 they were a six. The pain quickly resolved, so Callie went back to playing and looking forward to a summer filled with camps, sports and outdoor fun.
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From the day he was born, little Miles was a fighter. This precious baby boy came into the world with a broken collar bone. Then, when he was about 4 weeks old, his mother, Mariah, and father, Javier, noticed something else was not right.
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Hadley had always experienced trouble sleeping and intermittent stomach pain, but it never really concerned her pediatrician because she was still growing and gaining weight. However, by the time she turned 7 years old, her parents decided it was time to figure out what was going on. Her father had recently been diagnosed with celiac disease so Hadley's parents thought it was a good idea to rule it out, since the disease can be hereditary. They were living in Arizona at the time so they visited their local pediatric hospital for blood work and an endoscopy. Both confirmed that Hadley had celiac disease, just like her dad.
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Despite being born five weeks early, Davis appeared to be a healthy and strong baby boy. But soon after going home, his parents, Anna and Frankie, noticed that Davis appeared to be showing signs of jaundice. When Davis stopped eating, the new parents brought their son to an emergency room in Fort Worth.
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Robert, a sickle cell patient at Children’s Health, is looking for a bone marrow donor. His mother writes a letter in hopes of encouraging people to participate in the National Marrow Donor Program to find the perfect match for Robert and kids like him.
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When asked to describe themselves, one word that comes up for Carrie and Brant is "family oriented." Much of the Grapevine, Texas, couple's lives revolve around their 1-year-old daughter Caroline, and they enjoy spending time with relatives in the Dallas metroplex. Given their health journey, they also consider a dedicated cardiology team as part of that extended family – including a father and son physician duo who have been in Carrie's life since she was born.
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Isaiah is a very active child who enjoys riding his bike, playing outside and reading adventure books. So when the 9-year-old complained that his leg was hurting one Sunday evening, his mom, Kristi – a nurse – didn't think much of it.
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When Barrett, who goes by Bear, was just 4 months old, his mom Jill noticed that he was getting sick a lot. He began grunting in pain and just didn't seem to act like a "normal" baby. She brought him to several doctors over the next few months, but no one seemed overly concerned.
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When her daughter, Amy, was just 5 months old, Michele noticed blood in Amy's stool while changing her diaper. Amy's pediatrician suspected a milk allergy and instructed Michele, who was exclusively breastfeeding Amy at the time, to cut all dairy from her diet. When Amy's symptoms worsened, her family was referred to a gastroenterologist in Fort Worth. A colonoscopy revealed that baby Amy had ulcers in her colon.
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On the morning of April 8, 2017, parents Kaci and Brad felt something was just "off" with their 2-week-old son, Kade. He hadn't eaten since midnight, and his color and breathing didn't seem right. So they called Kade's pediatrician for advice.
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When Carson was born, nearly everything he ate made him sick. His mom, Stephanie, tried 10 different baby formulas before she finally found one that worked. His pediatrician suspected he was suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a blood test soon determined Carson was also allergic to five different foods.
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Seven-month-old Ivanna now smiles at her mom, Valarie, and babbles while lifting her head during tummy time. Only five months ago, Valarie questioned if these milestones would be possible.
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Though she seemed perfectly healthy during her first year of life, Ellie's pediatrician noticed she wasn't growing at her 12-month appointment. The doctor placed Ellie on a special diet and asked her mom, Michelle, to bring her back in a month. It was at this appointment that the pediatrician first heard a murmur in Ellie's heart.
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In the summer of 2020, Carlos received the gift of a lifetime – a new heart. Karla and her husband Johnny are still in awe of what happened that day, just three months after they brought their 3-year-old son Carlos to Children's Health℠.
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Eli likes arts and crafts, coloring and dinosaurs. He is also a fan of football and baseball and hopes to join a team and wear a sports helmet when he's a little older. Looking at this happy, healthy boy, you would never guess that he wore a therapeutic helmet after craniofacial surgery when he was just a baby.
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On August 22, 2014, Cason was born in Greenville, Texas. His mom, Carla, quickly sensed something was wrong.
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Mark is a happy middle schooler who likes playing basketball and hanging out with friends. However, an intestinal condition once prevented him from enjoying these everyday activities. Mark's parents, Jessica and Mitch, had spent years searching for a solution that would improve their son's quality of life before finally finding the answers and support they were looking for at Children's Health.
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Congratulations – it's a boy! You've entered a special world full of sweet hugs, limitless energy – and questions you never thought you would need to ask. (Why yes, he just may pee on you during a diaper change!)
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Obie was born in Tyler, Texas, at 24 weeks on Dec. 31, 2017. Weighing just 1 pound, 10 ounces, he developed Stage III necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition in premature infants that severely affects the intestine and needs surgical repair.
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Securing your television is an important part of childproofing your home. As televisions are getting larger and flatter, the number of injuries caused by a toppling TV are increasing.
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Poison is anything that children can swallow, inhale, touch or get in their eyes that can cause illness or death. Even products that are safe in small doses can be poisonous to a child who consumes too much. Because almost 90% of childhood poisonings happen in the home, it's important for parents to know where the dangers are. At Children’s Health℠, we are committed to your child’s safety. Our Injury Prevention Specialists are available to help keep any potentially dangerous items in your home away from your child—and keep your child out of the hospital.
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In 2011, Valerie held a 4-month-old baby covered in tubes and wires in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), hoping she could be the mom to the little boy who desperately needed a caregiver.
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When Nolan was just 8 years old, he and his brother were chasing each other around the house when all of a sudden he grabbed his stomach, bent over and yelled out in pain. His mom Tina, who happened to be in the room at the time, asked him what was wrong, but Nolan just shrugged it off. After suggesting he try to use the bathroom, Tina discovered that Nolan was having abnormal bowel movements and had been for quite some time.
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In 2016, Joseph, called J.R. by his family and friends, started experiencing pain in his lower abdomen. He was just 7 years old at the time, and his pediatrician suspected he was suffering from constipation. He suggested J.R. increase the amount of fiber in his diet and drink more water.
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When Brittany went in for her 20-week anatomy scan during her pregnancy with her daughter Harper, she and her husband, Ben, didn't expect to see anything out of the ordinary. Even when the technician had difficulties seeing all four chambers of Harper's heart, the couple was told not to be too concerned and that maybe it was just the way she was positioned in the womb at the time. The couple scheduled a follow-up sonogram with a specialist four weeks later. It was an appointment Brittany and Ben will never forget.
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Four years ago, Austin Rice was a typical, active 10-year-old who loved playing baseball. One day at practice, he complained of a severe headache and within minutes began sweating profusely with no feeling on his left side.
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In late 2020, Addison began experiencing back pain that made it uncomfortable to breathe and seemed more tired than usual. Her parents took her to her family doctor who suspected she may have sprained a muscle in her back and suggested a series of stretches and gentle exercises to allow it to heal. Over the next few weeks, the pain grew worse and she started to notice abnormalities in the color of her urine. She returned to her doctor's office where a urinalysis identified elevated liver enzymes in her urine, suggesting something may be going on with her liver or gallbladder. Her doctor ordered some routine bloodwork – just to be safe – and explained that Addison would need to see a specialist for an ultrasound of her abdomen.
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For Maddie, art has always been a much-needed outlet to manage life's stresses. Whether drawing to decompress after a challenging day at school or painting her way through the pressures of being a teenager, her artistic passions have helped her through some difficult times – including living with Crohn's disease, a battle she has fought for nearly a decade.
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Ariel has always been an extraordinary child. The oldest of four siblings, she worked hard in school, and was active and healthy for most of her childhood. So when the 11-year-old stumbled and fell while walking across the street to her grandparents' house, her mom, Erika, thought maybe her daughter was just going through a clumsy phase as she entered her pre-teen years.
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Growing up, Addison was always a little bigger than her peers. Still, she was a happy young girl, who enjoyed riding her bike, swimming and playing on a competitive softball team that won the World Series of the Midwest in 2012.
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Andrea, now four months old, was born 3 months before her due date. Until her delivery by emergency cesarean section, her mother, Brenda, had had a relatively uneventful pregnancy. As soon as she was born it was discovered that she had a giant sacrococcygeal teratoma at the base of Andrea's tailbone. Dr. Luc Brion, a neonatologist at Children's Health and Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, and the specialized Resuscitation Team at the Parkland Labor and Delivery Unit provided lifesaving resuscitation for Andrea and helped to stabilize her immediately after delivery. She was then transferred to the Children's Medical Center Dallas Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the only NICU in North Texas to be designated as a Level IV (the highest level of neonatal care) by the Texas Department of State Health Services and nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report on its "Best Children’s Hospitals" list.
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Esther is a feisty, happy toddler who looks up to her 7-year-old twin sisters, spends her days pretending to be a sheriff from one of her favorite TV shows and enjoys searching for worms after springtime storms.
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Juan is a playful toddler who loves the outdoors and all kinds of food, especially fruit and spaghetti. But feeding him has not always been easy for his mom, Claudia.
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For the past 10 years, Gentiana and her family have searched for answers to chronic gastroenterological issues she has dealt with since birth. As an infant, Gentiana suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Since then, she has seen a number of pediatricians, and her symptoms included difficulty swallowing, an itchy throat, abdominal pain and poor appetite. Each time, her doctors prescribed medications to help relieve the symptoms, but the issues never really went away.
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Journey has a smile that can light up a room and a fierce determination on the soccer field. A dedicated student, artist and athlete, you might never guess that among everything else, she is managing a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
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From the moment she was born, Amanda had been a perfectly healthy child. For 13 years, she experienced and enjoyed all the things a young child experiences – friendships, school and sports. Nowhere along the way was there any indication Amanda may have a heart condition.
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Hannah has felt "at home" on the dance floor since she took her first ballet class at just 2 years old. Over the years, she has expanded her repertoire to include tap, jazz and hip-hop, but her first love of ballet – and now pointe – is evident. The 14-year-old trains around 23 hours a week at a Dallas-area dance studio.
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At first glance, Lucas is really not that much different than your typical preschooler. All in all, other than the two small electronic devices positioned behind his ears, he appeared to be just like any other 3-year-old boy, bringing joy and entertainment wherever he goes.
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In 2014, Luke, then 4 years old, came to his parents complaining that his right cheek hurt. After a dentist ruled out any issues related to his teeth, his pediatrician prescribed antibiotics to address any infection that may be causing the pain in his mouth. Over the next few months, the pain would come and go, and it seemed to be developing resistance to antibiotics.
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Just before his fourth birthday, Liam began experiencing some gastroenterological issues. He had trouble keeping his food down and would often choke while eating, an issue his parents were familiar with since Liam had struggled with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, as a newborn.
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Caleb is a joyful 6-year-old who loves LEGO, all-things-Disney and his dog Sebastian. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up so he can help people, and his mom, Sarah, a pediatrician, describes him as "one of the kindest people I've ever met." Like many other families, Caleb and his family enjoy pizza and movie nights most weekends with just one exception – Caleb's homemade pizza is gluten free, a necessity since he was diagnosed three years ago with celiac disease.
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Shortly after Andrew started crawling in 2015, he stopped using his arms and legs. His parents, Lisa and Thomas, didn't think much of it, but brought him to his pediatrician's office for a check-up, just in case. After examining Andrew, his pediatrician couldn't determine what was wrong. He suggested Lisa and Thomas bring Andrew to the emergency room to rule out any serious issues.
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When Laura was pregnant with her twin daughters, Marlee and Lambert, a routine sonogram revealed an issue with Lambert's development in utero. After a number of tests and screenings, a cardiologist at UT Southwestern determined that while Lambert's heart was functioning normally, it was rotated on a different axis than a typical heart. Additionally, an MRI uncovered that one of Lambert's lungs was not developing properly and that her esophagus was not connected to her stomach. Instead, her esophagus and trachea were connected in several spots due to a condition called tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), which was causing additional fluid to leak into her lungs instead of her stomach.
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In 2012, Riley and his family were sitting around the table playing Bingo during the Thanksgiving holiday when he sat up straight in his chair looking completely gray. He had a stomach ache the night before so his parents took him to the emergency room at Children’s Medical Center Dallas right away.
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In the summer of 2015, Colin and his family were walking on a beach in Maine at the end of a college-tour-turned-family-vacation. Colin had just finished his junior year of high school and was preparing to pursue an education in circus performance, building upon his longtime passion for juggling.
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When Ellie was born in March 2013, she appeared healthy and gave no indication that anything was wrong. However, after she failed her routine newborn hearing screen, her family was referred to the UT Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Children's Health for additional testing and evaluation.
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When Aynsley was 9 years old, she injured her left ankle in dance class and the pain would not go away. Doctor after doctor could not explain the chronic pain, which was difficult for both Aynsley and parents, Cara and Dan.
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When Lainey was just 3 years old, her mom, Shannon, noticed she had blood in her urine. Sensing something was wrong, she brought Lainey to her pediatrician who suspected she might have a bladder or urinary tract infection. But after three weeks of negative cultures and no relief from her symptoms, Lainey was referred to the Pediatric Nephrology Department at Children's Health in search of answers.
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AJ had been feeling bad for some time when he found himself at Children’s Health. He had been to several other doctors previously, but no one could figure out what was wrong with him, and he and his family were both frustrated and worried.
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Denay shares an unexplainable bond with 11-year-old Abby. Their paths crossed because of a decision Denay made after her 5-month-old daughter passed away.
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Abby was just 12 years old when a suspected stomach bug sent her to the emergency room at the local hospital in Waxahachie.
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Cleft lip and/or palate is one of the most common birth defects, affecting approximately one in 700 babies born in the U.S. each year. A cleft lip is an opening in the lip, ranging from a small split in the lip to a larger gap that extends to the nose. Cleft palate, which is more common than cleft lip, is an opening in the roof of the mouth that, like cleft lip, can vary in size and location.
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The brain has billions of nerve cells, called neurons, that use electrical and chemical signals to control how we move, act and feel. A seizure happens when a person's brain is overloaded by too many electrical and chemical signals being sent at the same time.
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While both adult and pediatric emergency departments have the goal of saving each patient's life and healing their ailments, pediatric departments are more specialized in treating children. In fact, each physician at Children's Health is specially trained in treating young patients. Children are all we care for here, and it allows us to deliver the best care for your child.
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When Jon was born, doctors discovered an obstruction in his right kidney that was preventing urine from flowing out of it and causing it to swell – a condition known as hydronephrosis.
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Have you ever wondered why some people just seem to experience more hardship than others? Perhaps you know someone who lost his or her job. Around the same time, they find out they have a major health problem. Is it just a rash of bad luck?
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Many parents here and across the country are scrambling to find baby formula to feed their infants. Selection is scarce, and many store shelves are empty.
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Hailey wants to be a doctor someday, and she has the pink scrubs to prove it. She loves wearing them around her house and recently informed her mom, Shauna, that she'll pay extra close attention in school so she can learn what she needs to know. Given Hailey's early health experiences, it's no surprise that the kindergartner wants to help others when she grows up.
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In June 2017, Stephanie was at home with her children when she realized that her youngest, 2-year-old Keion, had wandered off. Stephanie was searching their home for him, when she heard her oldest son, Kareem, frantically shout, "Mom!"
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Cody is an active baseball player and fisherman who will go head-to-head with an 8-pound bass any day of the week. But when Cody's cardiologist told him he’d likely need to have his chest opened up for surgery, he admits it sounded terrifying.
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When Summer's daughter, Paisley, woke up looking sick one morning, she took her to the pediatrician expecting a diagnosis of flu or strep throat.
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In the summer of 2018, 10-year-old Aidan began experiencing stomach pain on a regular basis. After several weeks, his aunt, Makaila, was concerned that his symptoms were getting worse. After a particularly difficult evening, she brought him to the emergency room in Texarkana in search of answers.
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Outside of school, 12-year-old Aliciya spends her evenings and weekends with her dance team. When they’re not practicing, they’re traveling around Texas for competitions. In school, Aliciya’s favorite subjects are history and science.
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Aliyah's final dialysis treatment was on Father's Day 2015 – one day before she received the new kidney that would change her life. Coincidentally, it was her father, Daniel, who provided that lifesaving kidney after finding out he was a match for his young daughter.
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If your child has seasonal or year-round environmental allergies, you already know many of the basic facts. You know your child's allergy symptoms are triggered by allergens like pollen, dander or mold spores. You're aware that these symptoms can make outdoor sports and other activities difficult for your child during certain months. And, you know your doctor can prescribe certain treatments to ease the sneezing, itching and watery eyes that appear each year.
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If your child seems to constantly have a runny nose, cough or congestion, you are not alone. A pediatrician shares eight ways to tell the difference between a cold and allergies.
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Allen High School senior Allie has loved dancing for as long as she can remember. A student at the Hathaway Academy of Ballet in Plano, she dreams of dancing professionally.
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Growing up, Amber knew she was different than other kids. When they would run and play, she would get tired and had a hard time keeping up.
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To know Amelia is to love her. She's bright, articulate and has never met a stranger. Looking at this bubbly 4-year-old, one would never guess her complex medical history. Amelia's adoptive mother, Robin, says this alone is a testament to the care that Amelia has received at Children's Health. In fact, Robin says that if not for the quick actions of the Children's Health foster care clinic years ago, Amelia would most likely not be alive.
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When Josh was 13, he and a handful of his teammates got sick during a soccer tournament in Asheville, North Carolina. But while his friends easily recovered, Josh's symptoms worsened drastically over the next three weeks, causing him to miss school and lose a significant amount of weight.
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When Jude was just 5 years old, his parents, Keith and Boots, noticed that he started to develop a lot of bruises on his legs and was getting sick more than they thought was normal. They brought it up to his pediatrician who just attributed it to, "boys always having bruises," and told them there was nothing to worry about. It wasn't until shortly thereafter when Jude was taken to the Emergency Room at Children's Medical Center Plano with a 105-degree fever and red spots on his face that his family was given news no parents wants to hear: Jude had leukemia.
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When Tina Myers received a call from her son's gymnastics coach in September 2015, it was unsettling news – her son, Phillip, who was 13 years old at the time, had been injured at practice. He had landed awkwardly on his ankle, and something wasn't right. It would be frightening news for any parent, but for the mom of an elite athlete it was especially alarming. Mrs. Myers immediately picked up Phillip and raced him to the ER at Children’s Medical Center Plano.
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For nearly a decade, Whitney has made a name for herself on the basketball court. Between AAU leagues in the summer and her high school team during the school year, she has lost track of the hours spent on defensive drills, ball handling and perfecting her jump shot.
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When Courtney was just 27 weeks pregnant, she and her husband learned that their unborn daughter, Corlee, had a cleft lip during a 3D ultrasound.
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When Conner began complaining about back and leg pain last summer, his parents took him to his pediatrician in Tyler, Texas, to try to determine what was wrong. After his blood work came back normal, he was referred to his local hospital for an MRI and x-ray. The MRI revealed spots indicative of leukemia, and Conner was immediately referred to Children’s Health for further testing and evaluation. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and was admitted to the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health to begin treatment.
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Because the holidays offer more opportunity for family time, this can be when parents start to notice unhealthy eating habits in their children.
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Anthony, a freshman goalie on his high school soccer team, and his cousin were driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) in April 2019, when they lost control of the vehicle. Anthony was trapped beneath the ATV when it flipped and landed on him. Because such severe accidents carry a high risk of internal injury, he was quickly transported by helicopter to a nearby emergency room. There, doctors determined his injuries required Level 1 pediatric trauma care, and he was immediately transferred to Children's Medical Center Dallas.
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Antibiotics are helpful medicines that fight bacterial infections and can keep children healthy. However, antibiotics can also come with common side effects – many of which are digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation and an upset stomach.
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If your child is diagnosed with depression, you may have questions about the best ways to help. One difficult decision might be if you should put your child on antidepressant medication. You may wonder if these medications are safe, or if they will have side effects now or later in adulthood.
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Between food storage containers, bottles and non-breakable dishes, plastic is a common item in most families' kitchens. However, there are growing concerns that this common household material could expose children to harmful chemicals.
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Some say that selfies are creating a generation of narcissists. Others argue that selfies and social networking sites are simply reflecting an old human tendency, just on a more public forum.
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When looking for easy ways to sneak fruits and vegetables into a child's diet, many parents wonder if veggie chips or fruit and vegetable juice will do the trick. According to the advertising claims on the package, these seem like healthy options.
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When Armani was just 3 years old, he began suffering from asthma attacks that were so severe, they would often send him straight to the emergency room. His pediatrician, Ghadir Abdelhadi Issa, M.D., started him on regular nebulizer treatments at home, but over time, the intensity of his attacks continued to increase.
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Ashton first stepped foot on a softball field when she was just 5 years old, and it seems like she's been out there ever since. The high school junior now plays for a nationally acclaimed fastpitch softball program, as well as her school's varsity team, and has already committed to playing at a university when she graduates.
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Sajid had his first asthma attack when he was only 6 years old. It's a scary experience for any young child, and one that, unfortunately, he grew to know all too well over the next year.
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Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions, but there are still many myths and misunderstandings about it. Learn about asthma in kids.
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Playing sports teaches valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, goal-setting and hard work. But a desire to be the best can also lead some athletes to develop unhealthy behaviors, including unstable dieting habits and eating disorders.
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When Sarah and Brandon found out they were expecting their first child, they were overjoyed. At 35 weeks, Ava Jewell was born via emergency C-section after the placenta detached. Sarah and Brandon spent the first 24 hours getting to know their baby girl, but on Ava's second day of life, warning signs emerged. Ava had not passed any bowel movements and was vomiting bile.
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Ava doesn’t remember her first two open-heart surgeries, which took place before her first birthday. But she won’t forget her third heart surgery and neither will her surgeon, Robert Jaquiss, M.D., Division Director of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Director of The Heart Center at Children’s HealthSM and Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. That’s because the surgery, which took place in 2021, made Ava one of the first patients to receive a groundbreaking heart valve that could lead to a new chapter in medical history.
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A mother’s intuition can be a powerful force. For Ava, it led to a life-changing diagnosis in infancy that most children don’t get until they’re at least six years old.
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For Lauren, mother's intuition set in the moment she laid eyes on her newborn, a baby girl named Emily.
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Adults aren't the only ones who suffer from back pain. Children and teens – particularly those who participate in competitive sports – are also likely to experience upper or lower back pain. In fact, one study found that as many as one in three adolescents ages 10 to 18 experienced back pain in the past year.
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A new school year can trigger feelings of anxiety in children of all ages. There are new classes, teachers, friends and pressures, all mixed with the physical changes of growing up. As a parent, you are the first responder in your child's life when they feel anxious. But it can be difficult to know what's a normal amount of nerves and how you can help.
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A new school year is a perfect time to get you and your kids back into a healthy routine. Kara Gann, Clinical Dietitian at Children's Health℠, shares simple nutrition tips to make sure students are fueling properly for the school day.
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Although jumping, bouncing and somersaulting on trampolines may be fun for kids, it's not worth the risk. About 100,000 children in the U.S. are injured on trampolines every year.
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A norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, also known as gastroenteritis. Often referred to as “stomach flu,” this infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States – causing diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fatigue and mild fever in more than 20 million people each year.
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We asked the dietitians from our Get Up & Go team to offer up healthy, delicious recipes that fit the spring season. These beanie burgers are light, tasty and a great alternative to the fast food options that many families choose.
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Paint was right there for the two-and-a-half months Bella stayed at Children’s Health and received treatment for anorexia.
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Skin-to-skin contact, also called kangaroo care, is a unique way for parents and newborn babies to bond. During skin-to-skin contact, a baby, wearing only a diaper, lies on a parent's bare chest.
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Proteins are essential nutrients that work as the building blocks of our bodies. Protein helps make blood, bone, enzymes and supports our bodies as we constantly make new cells. It also provides the fuel and energy our bodies need to move and be active every day.
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If you're a Baby Boomer or part of Generation X, you may or may not have worn a bicycle helmet when you cruised around the neighborhood with your friends. These days, we're a lot safer. Most kids learn to put their helmet on before they even test out their first pair of training wheels.
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With warm weather and summertime, many families will head to the lake to beat the heat and cool off. To keep you and your family safe, the experts from the Children’s Health℠ Injury Prevention program offer these boating and lake safety rules for kids.
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For many expecting parents, the 20-week anatomy scan is when they find out their baby's sex, count their fingers and toes, and leave with ultrasound images to show friends and family. But for three couples, Seher and Sayeed, Ashley and Kelly, and Leah and Eric, the appointment brought unexpected news that would change their lives and bring their three families together.
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When Tranece and Terrence learned they were expecting their fifth child, Tamara, in early 2021, they assumed that the pregnancy would go as smoothly as her previous pregnancies, especially after ultrasounds and genetic testing gave them no cause for concern.
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When Cooper was 2 weeks old, he began showing signs of jaundice, a common condition in which a newborn's skin appears yellow due to increased levels of bilirubin in their blood. Typically, the condition improves as the baby's liver begins functioning as it should. However, when Cooper's symptoms persisted at his 2-month check-up, his pediatrician suggested they check his blood levels to determine the cause.
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In the fall of 2020, Rebecca learned she was pregnant with a boy. “I was so excited for my toddler, Jackson, to become a big brother. The future was so bright that my biggest concern was picking a name,” Rebecca says.
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The right food can make all the difference in your child's day. Good nutrition not only helps bodies grow strong – it can also help kids focus and even improve their behavior.
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COVID‑19 vaccines sent a collective sigh of relief across the country. Even if you have children too young for the vaccine, you likely felt safer about returning to some level of normal activity and life after you got vaccinated. But a new surge of COVID‑19 infections due to the Delta variant has resulted in some fully vaccinated people testing positive for COVID‑19 (called a "breakthrough" infection). That wave of new infections has also left many parents wondering how to keep their children safe.
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Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed babies, but there are many myths and misunderstandings about it.
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For most of us, breathing is an automatic process that we hardly notice. However, the simple act of inhaling and exhaling can have a great impact on our mood and thoughts. Deep breathing has long been used as a relaxation technique, and it's helpful for both children and adults.
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With cold and flu season underway, it's possible your child could come down with a case of bronchitis. And while the symptoms sometimes sound awful - wheezing and a deep, nagging cough that produces mucus - bronchitis in children is typically a mild condition. Home remedies for bronchitis in children can be very effective.
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Brothers Bentley and Brody enjoy catching bugs, fishing and playing together outside. Bentley is about to start his third season of soccer, and Brody can't help but start dancing any time he hears music. As their mom, Dori, puts it, "They are two healthy boys who just happen to be deaf."
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Brothers Rex and Charlie have a lot in common: They both love sports, they both do well in school and they both are managing a chronic condition with the support of their family and the experts in the diabetes program at Children's Health.
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When Melissa was pregnant with her son, Bryson, a routine blood test determined that she was a carrier for sickle cell disease. Because Bryson's father had sickle cell disease, Melissa faced the realization that there was a chance that her son may be born with the disease. However, all she could do at that time was wait.
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According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report indicating that children may be at an increased risk for developing diabetes after COVID-19 infection. As more children get COVID-19, parents may be concerned about these recent headlines and potential long-term health effects.
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During the COVID‑19 pandemic, face masks have played an important role in preventing illness. Wearing a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth is a simple and effective way to reduce the spread of the virus from person to person.
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The COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use in children ages 6 months and older. While many parents are excited that their child can get vaccinated, they may also have questions or feel uncertain about getting their child vaccinated.
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On October 29, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of the COVID‑19 vaccine in children ages 5-11. On June 17, 2022, the COVID-19 vaccine was also authorized for children under 5.
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On June 15, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of the COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 6 months to 4 years old.
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Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, there has been a surge in positive COVID‑19 cases across the country. This increased spread of COVID‑19 has affected children as well as emergency rooms.
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Caeden's doctors said not to panic when he had his first seizure at only 9 months old. It's not uncommon for young children to have a seizure and usually it doesn’t indicate a serious health problem. But they raised the red flag when he had several more.
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Caffeine is a part of many people's daily routine. Whether it be a cup of coffee or a can of soda, many adults turn to caffeinated beverages for a boost. But is this commonplace stimulant safe for children? The experts say perhaps with limited intake – but it is not recommended.
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Shingles, as well as the once-common childhood illness chickenpox, are both caused by the varicella (or herpes) zoster virus. Prior to the invention of the chickenpox vaccine, nearly everyone developed chickenpox, usually during childhood. This put everyone – including children – at risk for shingles, a skin rash caused by viral infection of the nerves just below the skin.
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The thyroid gland regulates how much thyroid hormone is sent out to the body. Almost every cell in the body needs thyroid hormones to function properly – too much can speed up the systems in the body, and too little can slow the body down.
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Video games, virtual reality (VR) and other forms of technology are becoming more prevalent in society today, even in the health care setting. Children and teens often connect to peers through video games, video chats and other forms of technology.
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Most people think of kidney stones as an adults-only condition, but you can get kidney stones at any age. A kidney stone is a pebbly substance that forms in a child’s kidney if the urine mineral level is too high. Kidney stones in kids must be treated by a health care professional.
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About 5% of children ages 15 and younger experience migraines. Migraines are more than just a headache; the pain is so severe, it can cause other symptoms, and keep your child from functioning at school and at home.
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Thyroid issues are often associated with adults, and many parents are surprised to learn that thyroid problems are the most common endocrine disorder among school-age kids. It's estimated that nearly 37 out of 1,000 children have thyroid disease.
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If you’re a parent of a child with congenital heart disease (CHD), it’s understandable to be afraid of taxing your child’s heart.
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From butterflies in the stomach to having "gut feelings," your gut and your brain are closely connected. Sometimes, though, that connection can be uncomfortable. Stress and anxiety can cause significant gastrointestinal (GI) issues, especially in children.
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You may have heard about rare COVID-19 vaccine side effects called myocarditis and pericarditis, or heart inflammation. As a parent, it's understandable to have some questions and concerns about this news. You may even wonder if you should delay your child's COVID-19 vaccine.
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Though most people associate arthritis with old age, the disorder can also affect young people in their 30s, 20s and even teens.
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Every 33 seconds, a child in the U.S. is involved in a car crash. Regrettably, over a third of the children who died in those crashes were not in a car seat restraint, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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Early on the morning of November 22, 2000, Keith and Nancy packed their five kids into the van to travel from their home in McKinney, Texas, to visit relatives in Austin for the Thanksgiving holiday. The family had recently moved to Texas and were looking forward to the trip with anticipation.
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A chronic disease diagnosis is difficult to accept at any age. When your child receives a diagnosis of a condition that will have lasting impacts on their life, they may have a strong emotional reaction or become depressed. The changes to their quality of life, such as chronic pain, frequent medical tests or care, or other lifestyle changes, can make them feel anxious, stressed and saddened.
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Chest wall deformities are uncommon conditions that affect the shape of your child’s ribs. While no one knows why these conditions occur, it may be related to genetics.
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Carmen has always been a go-getter. As a young child, she was committed to karate and loved being outside. She enjoyed art and movies and was involved in more school and community activities than you can count on one hand.
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When Kirsten was 24 weeks pregnant, a routine ultrasound revealed that her amniotic fluid was low and showed an abnormality in her baby, Carter's, kidneys. A few weeks later, a second in-depth ultrasound confirmed that Carter had polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a rare genetic disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys and can ultimately lead to kidney failure.
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When it comes to your child's heart, anything “irregular” can seem scary. Heart murmurs can certainly fall into that category, but most of the time, murmurs are not anything to be afraid of, according to Thomas Zellers, M.D., pediatric interventional cardiologist at Children's Health and Professor at UT Southwestern.
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Once considered high-tech and even exclusive gadgets, cell phones and smartphones are now thought of as must-have communication tools. A walk through a school proves that cell phones have become as common in the hands of children as they are in adults.
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We asked the dietitians from our Get Up & Go team to offer up healthy, delicious recipes that fit the spring season. These lettuce wraps are flavorful, easy to make and a lighter alternative as the weather begins to warm up this season.
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As any parent knows, kids are naturally curious. They want to open doors, sift through drawers and discover new hiding spots inside cabinets and closets. That's why if you keep a gun in the home, storing that gun safely must be at the top of your childproofing list.
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The Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Medical Center Dallas is a world-class pediatric treatment center recognized nationally for exceptional clinical care, leadership in pediatric cancer research and academic excellence. All pediatric hematology/oncology physicians are faculty members at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
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When Speech Language Pathologist Crystal Scott was just a child, she had a stutter so severe it prevented her from fully fitting into society, as she puts it.
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Epilepsy is not a mental health condition, it's a seizure disorder. But as many as 60% of children and teenagers with epilepsy can also experience a mental health or behavioral disorder like anxiety or ADHD.
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Kids can experience fear at any age, and often, those fears are a normal part of their development. Some fears can be mild or short-lived, while others may interfere with your child's daily activities.
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When 11-year-old Hanna was injured by a vehicle that slipped out of gear, she received the first of many blood transfusions while in flight to Children's Medical Center Dallas, the only Level I Trauma Center in North Texas. Hanna stayed in our trauma ICU for almost 40 days.
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For teens with a chronic disease, the transition to adult care can be a tricky one. They may face a number of changes that impact their health care including changes in insurance, transitioning from a pediatric specialist to an adult specialist, and when over the age of 18 -- being responsible for their own care decisions. These changes can bring confusion and often leave both the patient and the parent questioning how best to navigate.
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With cough and cold season underway, you need to be aware that a time-honored, go-to treatment for children’s coughs is no longer recommended. The FDA is investigating the safety of codeine cough syrup for children younger than 18, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends against codeine for children with coughs.
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Parents can expect their kids to get colds every year, especially during the fall and winter months when the risk of flu is also higher. So, how can you tell if your child is having flu symptoms or just has the common cold?
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Sophia is a happy 7-year-old who enjoys singing, dancing and any chance to express herself through art. To most, she appears to be an easygoing child with an unbridled joy for life and a passion for performing – and for all intents and purposes, she truly is. But Sophia is also managing a chronic illness that once threatened to rob her of her carefree childhood and health. Fortunately, she and her family found the support and answers they needed at Children's Health℠ to help Sophia grow and thrive into the superstar she is now.
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We live in a society where it's often assumed that most people are straight (attracted to the opposite sex) and cisgender (their gender matches the sex they were assigned at birth).
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As much as you might not like to admit it, when you have a baby, you talk about poop at least once a day. It's not just that you find literally everything about your precious little one interesting - there is good reason to discuss what you find in their diapers. It turns out, your baby's poop can tell you a lot about their health.
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When spring arrives, it means one thing for many athletes and fans: baseball season. However, daily practices, double-headers and tournaments that stretch across the weekend can take a toll on a young athlete's body. Kyle Utne, Physical Therapy Assistant at Children's Health℠ Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and former baseball minor league athletic trainer, shares his insight on baseball injuries and ways players can stay healthy throughout the season.
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It’s common for children to experience bladder issues as they grow, including an occasional urinary tract infection (UTI) or periods of daytime and nighttime wetting – especially as they potty train.
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Experiencing pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle can be worrisome. The good news is, when caught early, many testicular problems and injuries can be fixed and cured.
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There's nothing common about a cold when a newborn or infant has one. The congestion, coughing and low-grade fever that can accompany a cold is enough to make even the most seasoned parents worry. Babies will have anywhere from eight to 10 colds by the time they turn 2 years old. As a parent, you may feel more comfortable and confident when you're able to quickly recognize the signs of a common cold and know which remedies help ease symptoms.
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Football season is a favorite time of year for many – especially across Texas. As excitement builds for Friday night lights, it's important that players, parents and coaches work together to avoid common football injuries and stay healthy throughout the season.
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Oftentimes, when children or adults see news stories, TV shows or movies about mental health, it can contribute to a negative stigma attached to mental illness or give an inaccurate picture about what mental health is. In reality, one in five children will experience some type of mental health problem – and overcoming stigma and false perceptions is key to helping children receive the support they need.
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It's common for young children to run into problems going to the bathroom, whether they become constipated or experience bedwetting. For parents, it can be hard to know how to handle these issues, and when you need to seek expert help.
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Running is a great way to get your body moving and to participate in sports. Many middle and high school athletes join cross country or track teams to build their speed and endurance as part of a team. Unfortunately, these young athletes may experience a running injury due to improper mechanics or training. Across the board with running, research has shown up to 80% of runners may experience an injury during their first year of running. Understanding the injuries that can commonly affect runners and how to prevent them from occurring can help these athletes reach their full potential.
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Soccer is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the United States, especially among youth. Boys and girls of all ages enjoy the sport, whether they're playing for school teams, clubs or just for fun. As with any sport, though, injuries can be part of the game.
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Young athletes are hitting the field year-round and giving it their all during practices, games and competition. That dedication and drive may be leading to an increase in knee injuries. And as athletes are playing more sports year-round, parents want to know how they can help keep their children healthy and safe.
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A "hip pointer" is an injury that occurs from a blunt impact on the point of the hip called the "iliac crest". This type of injury is common among football players but can occur in players of all sports.
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Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in every 100 babies born in the U.S. Out of the about 40,000 babies born with a heart defect each year, approximately 7,200 have a critical congenital heart defect which requires surgery or a procedure in their first year of life. However, as detection and treatments of congenital heart disease rapidly advance, outcomes for children with congenital heart defects are improving.
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Eating disorders are characterized by unhealthy approaches to eating, weight and exercise. But they are more than a refusal to eat healthy; eating disorders are complex psychiatric disorders. If your child has an eating disorder, he or she also might have problems with self-image, anxiety and even depression. As many as 30 million people in the United States have an eating disorder. The causes of eating disorders continue to be researched. Biological, sociological, psychological and cultural factors can all play a part in the development of an eating disorder.
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Although illnesses like cold and flu occur more frequently during the winter months, the reasons are not always straightforward. One myth is that cold weather can make you sick, but that is not true. Being cold itself does not cause illness, but when it is colder outside, children tend to spend more time indoors together, easily passing germs and infections.
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Brett, a Texas A&M graduate and mechanical engineer, and Claire, a British expat practicing law in the U.S., met in Dallas on Valentine's Day weekend. They fell in love, married and started living their dream with a house, one beautiful daughter named Lydia and another on the way. Baby Ava arrived one day early. In the whirlwind of it all, Claire remembers noticing that Ava's head looked elongated, but the medical staff thought it was normal.
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When Sadie was pregnant with her daughter, Quincy, all signs pointed to a happy and healthy baby. So when Quincy's pediatrician informed her family that an abnormality had shown up on her newborn screening, it took everyone by surprise.
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When Valerie was only a little more than halfway through her pregnancy with twins, Cruz and Cristiano, she began experiencing serious complications.
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Concussions are serious injuries that require plenty of time to heal. Limiting physical and mental activities is extremely important in the recovery process.
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When Gabrielle, or "Gabby," was born, she was the fulfillment of her entire family's hopes for a baby girl. The youngest of three children, Gabby's parents and grandparents were excited to dote on the newest edition.
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Does your child have fewer than two bowel movements a week, or have stool that is hard, dry, small and difficult to pass? If so, your child is probably suffering from constipation. A fairly common condition in children of all ages, about 5% of visits to pediatricians and 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterologists are due to constipation.
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Serena Wang, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmologist at Children’s Health and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern, warns that an untreated contact lens-related infection can cause adolescents to lose their sight – or even the eye itself. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your child be a healthier contact lens wearer.
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When you involve children in the cooking process, they not only become familiar with different foods and how to cook them, they also learn age-appropriate developmental skills. Children can begin helping with basic meal preparation as young as 2 years old. Get them started early by having them wash produce or measure ingredients, and by the time they reach preteen years, they will be able to make a few simple dishes with minimal direction.
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The holidays can bring up a lot of emotions related to grieving the loss of a loved one.
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Raising children has never been easy, but today’s parents and guardians of kids under the age of 18 are experiencing more stress now than ever before.
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Whenever your child has a cough, you probably go through the list of possible causes in your head. Is it COVID-19? Is it strep? Is it a cold or allergies? How can you tell?
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At 15 years old, Hunter was busy making the most of high school. He played multiple sports, did well in classes and enjoyed spending time with his friends. So when the normally healthy teen started feeling nauseous on his way to a wrestling tournament in 2016, he and his mom just assumed he had caught some type of stomach virus.
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In many ways, Kinsey’s first year has been just what her parents, Lindsey and Cory, expected it to be. Her birth and delivery were free of any complications, and she remained in the 95th percentile for height and weight. She spends most of her waking hours cruising around her house, chasing her big sister Brynley and checking out the dog bowls to see if they’ve left anything behind. But, because of a genetic condition, her day-to-day routines to manage her disease set her apart from her peers. They involve breathing treatments and daily medications that will likely be a part of her regimen for the rest of her life, but her family is determined to not let it define her future.
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Daniel comes from a long line of athletes. His grandfather was a successful track and field athlete who represented Colombia at the national and international level. His mother was also a dedicated athlete who taught him the importance of making healthy choices and staying active from a young age. Throughout his childhood in Colombia, Daniel was surrounded by family members who supported his healthy lifestyle and pursuit to become one of the top BMX athletes in Colombia by the age of 13.
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Darian was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when he was just 10 days old after a routine newborn screening, and has been on an almost decade-long struggle to manage the pain and serious complications that come with his disease ever since. He has been closely monitored by the Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease program in the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Health℠, one of the largest pediatric programs for patients with sickle cell disease in the nation, and he and his family have worked with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists to address the many health challenges he has faced over the years.
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David started playing football in the fourth grade. In high school, he was the team's starting running back, and like many football players, he had grown accustomed to the physicality and intensity the game is known for – especially in Texas. So when he started to feel pain in his left hand after a home game in September 2017, the high school senior didn't think much of it.
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David is a bright and active high school student. The youngest of three boys, he enjoys playing basketball, is in the marching band and hopes to be an engineer one day.
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Exactly four people have told 15-year-old David that he should run for president.
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Getting your child to brush his or her teeth is a twice-daily struggle that many parents know all too well. Dental health shouldn't be a chore, though. It's an important part of your child's overall health and should be just as important as vaccines and annual check-ups with your child's pediatrician.
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Babies grow and develop fast. In just a matter of months, they gain a huge number of motor, language and social skills – from holding up their heads to rolling over or walking, to babbling their first words.
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From the day she was born Katie has shown everyone exactly what a warrior looks like. Born in May 2015, at just under 30 weeks with her twin, Stella, Katie was diagnosed with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia shortly after birth which progressed to chronic respiratory failure and chronic lung disease. She spent the first eight months of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a local hospital and relied on a ventilator to help her breathe and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) for her nutritional needs.
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Parenting brings many joys, including the opportunity to foster important traits in your child such as confidence, honesty and perseverance. However, in the day to day, parenting might simply feel like being the behavior police. So what works in guiding your child's behavior – and what doesn't?
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You do your best to make sure your child eats a healthy diet, offering whole foods loaded with good-for-them vitamins and minerals. But let's be real: life gets in the way sometimes. A daily multivitamin may seem like good insurance to make up for those days when dinners are on-the-go and the nutrition flag flies at half-mast.
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One way to help prevent the spread of COVID‑19 is to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Learn how masks can help prevent the spread of COVID‑19 and see more ways to keep your family safe.
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There's no doubt that video games are popular among children, teens and adults. The latest games and newest consoles often top wish lists and dominate talk at school and around the dinner table. However, that interest may bring concern to parents who wonder if video games, particularly those that feature violence or fighting, can affect their child's behavior.
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If your child complains of a burning sensation in his chest, chest pain or tightness, regurgitation, trouble swallowing or that it feels like something is stuck in his throat, you may wonder if he has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But these symptoms may also be caused by a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a GI disorder that changes the function of the GI tract, from muscle movement to what signals are sent from the intestines to the brain. These microscopic changes result in the symptoms that categorize IBS, including abdominal pain and problems with constipation and diarrhea.
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As diabetes becomes more prevalent in the United States, so have myths about diabetes. It can be hard for parents to sort fiction from fact, and truly understand the causes and treatments of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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As more people get vaccinated, many are hopeful and excited that we’re getting closer to ending the pandemic. However, as you consider the COVID-19 vaccine either for yourself or for your child, you may also have some concerns. There is a lot of misinformation out there – including the myth that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause infertility.
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Some transplanted organs can last for life. The kidney isn’t one of them. Charley and her family have known that ever since she was 2, when a donated kidney saved her life.
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Newborns typically have a 1% chance of having a heart defect at birth. But for babies with Down syndrome, that risk is much higher.
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A swimming pool is a great place for kids to cool off during the hot summer months – but without proper health and safety rules, swimming can pose serious risks to children. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States. Whether you have a backyard pool, a hot tub or take your child elsewhere to swim, keep these essential pool safety rules in mind to help prevent drowning and improve pool and water safety.
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If you've heard of dry needling, blood flow restriction training and cupping, you may have wondered how these therapies work and what they actually do for athletes. While these techniques may be unfamiliar to some, their proven benefits can help injured athletes heal, recover and get back in the game.
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An ear infection is when fluid and mucus build up behind the eardrum causing pressure and, eventually, pain. An ear infection most often affects the middle ear and is usually caused by bacteria.
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The signs of autism can show up early - even during infancy. While some children may have symptoms of autism at 6 months old, others will be symptom free until they are almost 2 years old. Most children with autism begin showing symptoms before the age of three.
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Childhood cancer is very rare. But as parents, it can be concerning if your child starts having unusual or unexplained symptoms.
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Many families struggle to eat the recommended five fruits and vegetables a day. It is a lofty goal, and you might have to get creative to meet it. One way to do this is to make cauliflower rice. In any dish that calls for rice, you can blend cauliflower in a food processor, sauté it until soft and use it as a base for your dish.
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When hunger strikes in the middle of the day, why not try something simple yet yummy. Melissa Fossier, R.D.,L.D., a registered dietitian at Children's Health, makes a pita pizza in less than 15 minutes.
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Things have changed since Tamika was a child. Back then, she says making healthy choices wasn't a priority. "Granny didn't allow us in the kitchen," she remembers. "This generation is much wiser, though." Her daughter Tanaya is a great example. Since graduating from Get Up & Go, she has encouraged her entire family to rethink their eating and exercise habits.
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When your child is up all night coughing or cannot seem to get rid of congestion, it can be a challenge to find any treatment to help them feel better. There's no cure for the common cold, and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 6.
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The Elf on the Shelf, a toy based on a children's book published in 2005, is a fun and novel idea that many families have eagerly incorporated into their Christmas traditions. When a child names the Elf, it magically comes to life each night between Thanksgiving and Christmas to report back to Santa about the child's behavior. It then returns to the home to a different spot than the night before, but the child must not touch it, or it will lose its magic.
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When Morgan and Brooke’s first baby Emberlyn was born early at just 33 weeks, they were ecstatic that she was eating and breathing well enough that they could leave the hospital after only two and half weeks. That was a huge success for a 4-pound "preemie."
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Emily didn’t think much of it when her right quad started tightening up during a soccer game one Friday night during her sophomore year in high school.
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Teaching children to give back to their community helps foster a sense of empathy, gratitude, and understanding that not all families have the same access to food, clothing and shelter. It’s an important lesson for kids to learn early on.
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In the U.S., 3.4 million people live with epilepsy and 470,000 of them are children. While epilepsy is common, there are many misconceptions about the condition. Understanding the realities of epilepsy and those who experience seizures helps to reduce stigma around it.
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When Susanna was 5 years old, she started having regular accidents, even though she had been potty-trained since she was a toddler. At first, her parents thought the accidents may just stem from behavioral issues. But when Susanna began drinking an unusual amount of water and losing weight, her family began to suspect something more serious was going on.
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Jamie and Destin wanted their children to grow up close to one another. "That's the hope and the dream, that we get to have a family life," Jamie says.
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Almost a year after Emily and Dalton welcomed twins, Charlotte and William to their family, the parents have become a coordinated team managing little kids who are always in motion. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Shortly after Jessica and Alec’s son Remington ("Remi") was born, their joy turned to panic.
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At 8-years-old, Millie’s mom describes her as a force of nature. She’s in her school’s gifted and talented program, part of the student council and loves playing soccer and basketball.
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Liliana, or "Lilly" as she is often called, is happiest performing on the stage. The 13-year-old dreams of someday being a professional singer, but a couple years ago she wondered if that would be possible.
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Whether you're taking a day trip to a nearby town or traveling across the country, it's always important to keep your family's health top of mind when planning a vacation.
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Saikrishna's family is used to doing things together. That's why when the 12-year-old was diagnosed with high cholesterol, his family took the medical discovery seriously and, most importantly, pulled together as a team.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children, affecting 1 in 10 children. According to the American Liver Foundation, the number of children affected by fatty liver disease is on the rise – having more than doubled in the last 20 years.
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Josiah is a sweet toddler who is full of energy and joy. He started preschool last fall, has a new baby brother and enjoys proudly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. His mom, Carrie, says that looking at him, you'd have no idea he's had such a scary journey in his three years - a journey that started at Children's Health even before he was born.
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Fetal heart conditions: What to expect when your unborn baby is diagnosed with a heart problem Children's Health cardiologists share what parents should know if their unborn baby is diagnosed with a heart problem.
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Fidget spinners are the most popular gadgets of the moment amongst middle schoolers. But many teachers are finding them very distracting and banning them in the classroom, despite some people believing that they can improve focus in children with ADHD. Roshini Kumar, Clinical Therapist, LCP, in the Pediatric Outpatient Psychiatry department at Children's Health answer some questions about the choking hazards of fidget spinners and healthier ways hyperactive children can burn off excess energy.
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Seasonal allergies are among the most common allergies in the United States. In fact, up to 40% of children have pollen allergies, also referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
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Ice skating has always come naturally for 16-year-old Alexa Hassell. She competes regularly and is a coach for younger skaters. When a fall through a trampoline in 2016 resulted in the discovery of scoliosis, Alexa worried about getting back to her favorite pastime.
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Lesley and Ricardo couldn’t wait for their first child to be born. They were in the process of selling their house in Dallas to move closer to family in Houston. Then things got complicated.
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While rare, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can affect infants, children and teens and can be fatal if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not administered quickly – usually in a matter of minutes. Structural or functional problems with a child’s heart, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or genetic syndromes can increase the risk of SCA. While some of these conditions are identified, monitored and treated from birth, certain rhythmic or structural problems don’t produce symptoms until SCA occurs. Frequently dangerous heart conditions are recognized when a family history of SCA is present.
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This fall and winter season is a little different than recent years. Kids are back to school in person, working and playing together in larger groups and mask-wearing is less frequent. These are some of the reasons doctors are seeing an increase in viral infections.
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Desarae came to Children's Health in 2015 looking for help and support getting healthy. Her blood pressure was dangerously high and she was overweight, despite impressive efforts on her own to reach a healthier weight.
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We’re sharing recipes for an entire food-allergy-friendly holiday meal. You’ll want to try them all! The following Chocolate Cake is allergy-friendly recipe and is free of peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. It's also gluten and dairy free.
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Research shows that 1 in every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy. Navigating food allergies may seem difficult – especially around the holidays – but with a little planning, you can have a delicious, allergy-free meal for the entire family to enjoy.
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Even if your kids don't have food allergies, you’ll likely be cooking for someone who does this holiday season. So, it’s good to have an allergy-friendly recipe ready in your back pocket. The top eight food allergy triggers include: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.
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In the United States, 90% of all food allergic reactions are caused by just eight foods: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. It can be difficult to find ways to avoid these food allergens, especially during the holiday season.
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When Tatum was just 9 months old, she was in a car accident that left her critically injured. She was rushed by ambulance to the emergency room at Children's Medical Center Dallas, the only pediatric hospital in the region with a Level I Trauma Center.
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Jack and Melinda partnered with the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children's Health to provide clinical care and developmental support for their two new kids in foster care. Their new children had some challenges that they wanted to overcome as a family. In the end, they made life-changing bonds with their children who are now permanent family members.
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From just 12 weeks to 12 years old, four special patients received new hearts all in the same week at the Heart Center at Children’s Health℠. Watch the video above to meet Abby, Adriel, Alex and Phoenix – and celebrate their incredible journey to a renewed opportunity for a happy, healthy life.
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Your young athlete works hard to be at the top of their game. It can be difficult to know what aches are normal and what pains need a doctor's attention. If your child frequently bends or twists their back during sports and they experience frequent lower back pain, it might be time to ask their doctor about spondylolysis.
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Breakfast is an EGGcelent way to start the day. Why not try something simple yet extraordinarily delicious to get your kids EGGcited. Melissa Fossier, R.D.,L.D., a registered dietitian at Children’s Health℠, whips up a delicious recipe for egg frittatas. Using three different food groups, this recipe is EGGstra healthy and sure to satisfy your kids' hunger.
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Pierce started his freshman year lacrosse season with the goal of making the starting varsity lineup. He did – then the pandemic hit and all games were canceled. Sophomore year, he was ready to come back in full force.
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At 2-years-old, Grant is so energetic that his parents, Wesley and Shanna, can barely keep up. He loves basketball, playing his toy drums and guitar, and climbing on everything. You’d never guess that just a few months earlier, he was fighting for his life.
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On Christmas day 2013, Jennings wasn't feeling well; tests confirmed she had the flu. Her watchful parents were discussing the worsening symptoms when the 14-year-old walked into the family's kitchen in Marshall, Texas, and asked to go to the hospital. Her dad, Mark, a dentist, asked, "Does it hurt to breathe?" Jennings replied, "It's hard to breathe."
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Alexander the Great was a celebrated warrior in Greece. In fact, the name "Alexander" means "defender of men" and "fighter," and because of this, one determined boy in Dallas is aptly-named.
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As parents, you always want what's best for your child. In Sheryl and Savio's case, they wanted what was best for both their babies – twin boys born prematurely. Dominic and Joshua were born at 35 weeks and weighed only 3.5 pounds each. After two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, the boys were finally strong enough to go home.
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During the school year, young athletes are busier than ever, juggling schoolwork along with practice and, in many cases, multiple training sessions per day. Proper nutrition is key for students to stay healthy and meet the demands of their day.
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Although the risk of injury is lower compared to other sports such as football and soccer, E-sports athletes are particularly predisposed to overuse and repetitive motion activities which comes from the unique nature of the sport.
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Before he was even born, Georgie had a team of doctors waiting to meet him and care for him. He had been diagnosed with a single ventricle heart defect, meaning he was missing one of the four chambers of his heart. The team at the Children's Health℠ FETAL Center worked with his mother, Jessica, to make a plan for his birth and treatment.
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Bridget is happiest putting smiles on people's faces. Despite the many obstacles she has overcome, the 10-year-old thinks of others before herself. "Helping people has always been a dream of mine," Bridget says.
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When Grayson was just 1 year old, he had an allergic reaction so severe that his parents brought him to the emergency room at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
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When you lose a loved one – a family member, friend or even a pet – it's natural to experience grief. As a parent, you can take positive steps to help your children deal with their sorrow – and help yourself, too.
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High school senior, H'lyia, 17, is one of those kids whose schedule is packed with activities. Throughout high school, she’s been an active member of the mock trial team. She participates in the National Honor Society and Top Teens of America, a youth program that focuses on cultural, academic and civic activities.
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In 2020, many Halloween activities were canceled due to COVID-19. This year – thanks to the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone over 12 – many communities are hosting their annual pumpkin walks, fall festivals, trunk-or-treat parties and trick-or-treating events.
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In December 2010, 4-year-old Aleah and her family were visiting her grandparents in Washington for the holidays when she started to feel sick. Aleah was lethargic, but her parents, Renee and Nathan, assumed she was just worn out from all the travel and festivities. But the next day, December 23rd, Aleah began having difficulties walking and was losing control of her other extremities.
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For Hanna, age 11, and her family, July 2, 2016, started off just like any other Texas summer day. They were out at their friend's house, the sun was out, and it was hot. The older kids had gone up to the barn to feed the horses while Hanna found refuge from the Texas heat in the shade of a tree. Though it's not clear exactly how it happened, a John Deere Gator™ utility vehicle slipped out of gear and rolled down the hill towards Hanna, crushing her against the tree.
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When Harper was 4 days old, her NICU nurse flagged a heart murmur that needed attention. An echocardiogram confirmed that the newborn had several complex congenital heart defects. Candice, a first-time mom, worked as a patient technician in her late teens to explore a career in health care. Today, she is a full-time employee at Children's Health℠. Even so, she remembers feeling overwhelmed by Harper's diagnosis.
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When Pam first heard about gene therapy, she thought it sounded like science fiction. She never would have guessed her son would be among the first patients to receive an innovative new gene therapy that's giving new hope against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
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Lice is a common, creepy-crawly problem that many school-age kids will face at some point – which unfortunately means that you, as a parent, will too. These little bugs are only about two millimeters long and like to make a home in the hair of kids. Though they can't fly or hop, they can crawl fast, easily spreading from one child to another.
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The beginning of a new year is a natural time to think about and set personal goals. As parents, it is a great opportunity to not only discuss the importance of exercise and a healthy diet, but also to teach children the importance of setting goals. However, when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle, family support is key for success. "There is power in numbers. Sitting down as a family to plan and discuss goals for the upcoming year encourages children to get involved and motivated to adopting life-long healthy habits," says Ashley Kim, a Registered Dietitian in the Children's Health Get Up & Go program.
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Every February, Valentine's Day offers a bright spot to break up the long, gray mid-winter. But along with the hearts, cupids and flowers, the annual celebration of love also brings the opportunity to overindulge in sugar.
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Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up taste! These healthy food swaps are easy ways to cut back on extra calories and reduce sources of refined sugar and simple carbohydrates – all without sacrificing texture or flavor. Even your kids will love it!
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If your kids regularly beg you to play “just five more minutes” of their favorite video game, they’re not alone. In fact, 71% of kids aged 2 to 17 play video games. You may be wondering if video games are healthy for kids.
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As winter days grow colder and darker, it can be challenging to find the energy to keep eating healthy. After all, sweets and comfort foods go hand in hand with the winter season. But with a bit of planning, it can be easy to prioritize healthy nutrition for the whole family.
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For many families, macaroni and cheese is a kid favorite. Making a healthier version of mac 'n cheese is an easy way to serve this crowd pleaser without all the fat and calories. Enjoy this recipe for a more nutritious way to satisfy your kids’ hunger
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It sounds contradictory, but not all sweets have to be bad for you. Often, what makes sweets unhealthy is that we eat too much of them. So, when thinking about ways to keep your children healthy through the holidays, consider healthy alternatives to traditional treats, and remember to emphasize portion control at every meal, party and snack-time.
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After a concussion, your child’s brain works hard to heal. Just like an ankle sprain or broken bone, a concussed brain needs time to recover from its injury.
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Eating healthy during the summer can be a challenge. Kids are out of school, and many families' routines are interrupted. While all the summer activities make the days fun, they can also make it hard to stick to healthy eating habits.
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Building heart healthy habits at a young age can put a child on track to have a healthy heart for life. This is especially true for children and teens who have early indicators of heart disease.
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Foods that are good for our heart health are good for our overall health. A heart-healthy diet can help prevent or manage conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
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Imagine throwing up three or more times an hour, for days at a time, and reliving that experience every two months for no apparent reason. Add to that severe nausea and excessive sweating along with pain, dizziness, light sensitivity and headaches, and you have a peek inside Jasmin's world. Jasmin is 12 years old and has a gastrointestinal condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).
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It's not news that not all children enjoy school. If your child dreads going to school each day or simply seems uninterested in working hard, their motivation for learning may be an issue.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are radiation-free imaging tests that help doctors diagnose a wide range of health conditions, from seizures to cancer to muscle tears. An MRI is safe for children of any age, even fetuses still growing inside their mothers, and can take anywhere from seven minutes to two hours, depending on the type of test needed.
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From the beginning, parents work to teach their children how to make healthy decisions. But as children age, parents' influence decreases and the opinion of peers becomes more and more important. Social pressure can affect a wide range of thoughts, actions and behaviors, from academic performance to substance use to mental health.
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Most teens and young adults face several important transitions, no matter their health status. These changes – ranging from puberty to learning to drive and getting their first job – can all be challenging.
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Henry loves sports. He's an endless supply of sports trivia knowledge and you'll often find him playing his favorites: basketball and football. When you see him in action, it's hard to imagine that he has any health issues, but Henry's daily routine involves taking around 40 medications and three breathing treatments. As a baby, Henry was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) – but with his dynamic spirit and a supportive family and care team, he's never let the condition hold him back.
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Doctors told Lindsay and her husband Craig that some kids walk through leukemia treatment and some crawl. But the important thing is: To simply get through it.
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Amy Ray loves toys, gymnastics, reading and coloring. The 6-year-old dreams big, takes care of her pets and enjoys adventures on her family's boat.
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Many parents hear the term hepatitis and either worry or don't understand what it means for their child. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can be caused by different diseases including a virus – hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common viruses causing hepatitis.
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When your child is diagnosed with celiac disease, you suddenly become a food detective – scouting for gluten, sometimes hidden deep in the ingredient list of your family's foods or daily products.
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You may think that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that affects only adults. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), an estimated 3.5% of children and teens have high blood pressure. When left untreated, this condition can cause serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney failure, stroke and vision loss.
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John and his twin brother, William, have always been active. Whether they were running around outside as children, playing baseball or showing their strength as linebackers on their high school's varsity football team, if there's one word to describe them, it's athletic.
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Though you might think of cholesterol as an adult-only health concern, it is an essential part of your child's health. Understanding childhood cholesterol and making simple lifestyle and dietary choices can help prevent serious health risks in your child's future.
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Hunter also answers to the name Superman. The little hero earned his nickname at the beginning of his journey – one that has required him to be a fighter every step of the way.
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The holidays can be stressful in general. But for LGBTQ+ youth, this season can be especially difficult.
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If your child seems to be coughing constantly, it can be concerning. Typically, a child's cough is nothing to worry about. Many times, it can be caused by a common cold or even by allergies. But since over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under the age of 6 years, it can be challenging to know how to help your child feel comfortable – especially if a cough is keeping him or her up at night. See seven ways you can treat your child's cough at home.
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High school freshman Hope has had enough surgeries to know exactly what to do when she wakes up from a procedure. She focuses on the people around her, slowly taking in one and then another.
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Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. It can affect people of all ages, anywhere – and left untreated, can cause death in just minutes.
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He might look like a typical high school student, but at 15 years old, Aldorsey survived an undiagnosed condition that if left untreated, has a 90% death rate in the first year of life. Although Aldorsey participated in physically demanding sports for years, he never showed signs of a heart condition. A string of coincidences connected his family to the right people when Aldorsey needed help the most.
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In today's world, we spend hours looking at screens — whether it be on computers, TVs, tablets or smartphones. But too much screen time may not be healthy for a growing child's brain.
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Parents often want to know what they can do in their own interactions with their kids to give them the confidence to deal with bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for children.
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One reason a child might be hesitant to tell a parent about bullying is fear about how a parent will react and fear of receiving unwanted attention at school if their parent intervenes. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares strategies for parents to help their children be open in their communication about bullying.
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Parents often want to know the best way to talk to their kids about bullying. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares tips for keeping lines of communication open about the topic.
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It's rare to watch or read the news without coming across stories covering bullying and the increased efforts that schools are taking to prevent such behavior from occurring on school grounds. But what about sexual violence in schools? After all, research has shown that verbal bullying and teasing in middle schools predicts later perpetration of sexual harassment by those same students.
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Accidents can happen in sports, but what are the proper steps to take if your child has been hit in the head? As a parent, it is important to know what to look for if you suspect that your child may be suffering from a sports concussion.
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The best offense during a tough flu season is a good defense. You can defend your family from the flu by ensuring everyone in your household gets a flu shot every year.
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A jump or a throw is not just one movement. Each action is the result of dozens of small movements that work together to facilitate an end goal. Using the biomechanics of sport and exercise, athletes can learn about their own movements and make the changes they need to improve performance and lower their risk of injury.
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Today's young athletes are under more stress and competition than ever before. The year-round training and frequent play and tournaments can lead to burnout and injury.
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Graham was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects shortly after birth. When he was only 18 hours old, he was transferred from his home hospital in Louisiana to the Heart Center at Children's Health. Five days later, he underwent what would be the first of several surgeries to repair his heart.
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As your child grows older, you may wonder when's the right time to address the Santa question. Fortunately for parents, most children begin to learn the truth slowly so that by the time you have the talk, your child is ready to listen.
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Physical therapy is medical care that is directed at improving pain, movement and the ability to perform daily tasks and recreational activities with fewer complications, restrictions or movement impairments. For anyone who has faced an injury, physical therapy can drastically improve quality of life and the ability to fully recover.
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In the past, adolescents expressed themselves through how they dressed, what music they listened to and what group they sat with at lunch. They conveyed their ideas by writing in their diary, talking with their peers and passing each other carefully folded notes.
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Getting enough sleep is essential for growth and allows the body to recover and repair from the day's activities. These functions of sleep are especially important for young, developing athletes, who are exerting themselves physically on a daily basis – and a good night's rest can make all the difference in their athletic success.
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Mental health disorders among children and teenagers have risen in recent years. Approximately 1 in 5 children are affected by a mental health disorder, and when left untreated, these disorders can become serious. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24, and approximately 18% of teens and adolescents have engaged in self-injury at some point in their lives.
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Every child wets the bed now and then, especially children who are five years old or younger. But when your older child experiences nighttime bedwetting, you might be concerned about their health.
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It's very common for newborns and infants to startle. They fling their arms and legs wide, then bring them together. In most cases, this is a normal reflex known as the startle, or Moro, reflex. However, in rare cases, these movements may be a sign of a serious condition called infantile spasms.
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Parents are their child’s biggest advocates. But many parents may not know where to begin when advocating for their child’s mental health and getting them the support they need to feel comfortable and successful at school.
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Going to school or participating in activities gives your child many new and exciting experiences that you, as a parent, can't wait to hear about. Especially in these school-age years, it is important to connect with your child about what is going on in their life, their interests and how they feel.
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Although a home-cooked meal is almost always healthier than eating meals from restaurants, there are easy ways you and your family can enjoy a meal out while keeping your health top of mind. So whether you're too busy to cook that night or you're enjoying a special occasion out, see these seven tips from Children’s Health dietitians to help your family make smart choices when ordering off a fast-food or restaurant menu.
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When it comes to sunscreen, there are so many choices you may not know which option is the best sunscreen for kids. Sunscreen, or sunblock, protects skin against the sun's ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburn.
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Choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a parent. Your child’s pediatrician will be there for everything—from regular checkups to illnesses, injuries and preventive care. It’s important to find a doctor you trust to help keep your child healthy.
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A sports injury can be a major blow to athletes – physically and emotionally. "Sports is a major part of many athletes' identities," explains Scott Burkhart, Psy.D., neuropsychologist at Children's Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. "When athletes are suddenly injured, time away from practice and games can be very unnerving and upsetting."
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Routines have many benefits for kids and families. But knowing exactly what your child’s routine should include and how to get them to stick to it can be tricky — especially during summer holidays or school breaks when there may be less structure in the day.
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It's likely that all parents will experience a tantrum at some point during their child's toddlerhood. While tantrums can be frustrating for parents, it's important to know that they are a normal part of a child's development.
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Tackling a sensitive topic like puberty can be a bit nerve-wracking for many parents. But shying away from the conversation out of fear of awkwardness doesn't help you – or your kids.
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The festivities and treats of the holiday season can make it difficult for your child to maintain healthy eating habits that they might have established throughout the year. On average, people gain 1-3 pounds during the six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
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During his time as an urgent care doctor, Adolfo Flores, M.D., Pediatrician at Children's Health℠, noticed a pattern in teens who identified as LGBTQ+ or gender diverse: They preferred to go to urgent care instead of a pediatrician’s office, where they often felt judged or uncomfortable.
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Meals shouldn't be battles, but for many parents getting children to eat their vegetables is anything but easy. Frustrated moms and dads have tried just about everything: bribing, begging, sneaking vegetables into other foods and many other creative efforts.
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Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is an infection in the soft tissue of the outer ear, which is the part of the ear you can see outside of the eardrum. It's caused when bacteria or fungi break into the soft tissue and begin to grow and spread.
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Pool parties are a great way for kids to cool off, celebrate and get some extra energy out during the warmer months. However, being in the water comes with some risks. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. – and data from Children's Health℠ shows that 38.8% of children who came to the ER for a drowning event were swimming in a new environment, such as at a pool party.
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Friendships are crucial to human development. Research shows that people thrive in social settings, by in-person interaction and by having high-quality friendships.
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When your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they may have a hard time paying attention, staying on task and demonstrating organizational and social skills – all things that can make an environment like school challenging. However, parents, teachers and school administrators can work together to create a positive learning environment for kids with ADHD.
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Is your family moving? Whether you’re heading across town, across the state or to another part of the country, moving requires an adjustment period for everyone in your family, especially children. As a parent, you can take important steps to help your children adjust to life in a new home and a new school.
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Kidney disease and its treatment, including renal replacement or dialysis, can have an impact on children's overall mental health and wellbeing. Kids who are diagnosed with kidney disease, like our patient Izayah, deal with disruption to their daily lives, school schedules and social life because of their treatment.
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Changing seasons bring changing weather, and in Texas, severe storms can strike year-round. For children (and adults!) who are afraid of storms, the unpredictability of severe weather can be especially unsettling.
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When your child is being bullied, it can be difficult to know the best way to help him or her respond. However, through this experience, you can help your child build confidence and self-esteem by giving him or her the tools to successfully address the situation.
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Waking up in the middle of the night to hear your child intensely crying or screaming can be alarming. If your child appears extremely frightened or panicked, and is even kicking, talking or sleepwalking, he or she might be experiencing a night terror, also referred to as a sleep terror.
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Moms who pump – whether they are heading back to work, caring for a baby who cannot breastfeed or wanting to build a freezer stash – are quick to know when their milk supply drops. And when that decrease is consistent, they may begin to worry they aren't providing enough milk for their baby.
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Teaching children to give to others doesn’t always come naturally. Raising kids who are both grateful and generous requires intention and patience.
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During the hot summer months, you might be wondering how to keep your children physically active. While high temperatures might tempt you to sit inside all day, health experts say it's important to keep moving.
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Winter brings shorter, colder days and, typically, much more indoor family time. But that doesn't mean you can't keep your kids moving and having fun. With a little planning and creativity, you can help your family stay physically active all year long – no matter what the weather is outside.
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Just like raising any child, parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comes with rewards and challenges along the way. When symptoms of ADHD, such as difficulty planning, organizing, and controlling thoughts, feelings and actions, go unmanaged, they can cause stress in a child's life and within your family, too.
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As concussion awareness becomes more prevalent, many parents and athletes wonder what steps they can take to prevent sports concussions from happening. While there is no one way to prevent a sports concussion, young athletes can still take steps to minimize their risk.
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Many parents understand the importance of healthy eating habits and staying active for their child's physical health. Now, with rates of mental health issues in children on the rise, more and more parents are realizing the value of supporting and nurturing their child's mental health as part of their overall health and wellness.
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While many people think of adults as the ones mainly impacted by COVID-19, children can be affected, too – and may need testing. With the enormous amount of anxiety surrounding COVID-19, kids may feel especially nervous about being tested.
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For young athletes, trying out for a coveted spot on a school or competitive local sports team can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Preparing physically and mentally can help boost confidence and overall performance.
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ACL injuries affect as many as 250,000 Americans each year. These injuries are more common among teen athletes, especially females, and the rates are on the rise.
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Texas summers are well-known for their heat and humidity – two weather conditions that make heat rash more likely in babies, toddlers and even older children. Nnenna Agim, M.D., Division Director of Dermatology at Children's Health and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, shares tips for helping your child avoid this prickly rash – and what to do if it appears.
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Sunny days are the perfect time to get the kids outside. However, spending too much time in the sun can make children more likely to get a sunburn. A bad sunburn is not only uncomfortable, but it can increase the risk of health problems later in life.
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Today's cheerleaders do much more than stand on the sidelines. They fly through the air, tumble across mats and challenge themselves with difficult choreography to stand out – and win – at competitions.
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As children and teens spend more time online, it’s easier than ever for them to experience cyberbullying – and the effects can be serious. The mental toll of enduring unkind comments, cruel memes or untrue rumors can add up, leaving victims of cyberbullying feeling depressed and isolated.
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Food recalls and restaurant closures are constant reminders of the dangers of foodborne illness. Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 48 million people get sick from foodborne illness. While most are able to recover on their own, 128,000 people are hospitalized with serious foodborne illnesses each year – and children face higher risk of getting sick.
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Young athletes spend a lot of time together on the field, in the locker room, traveling to games and more. While this quality time is great for team bonding, it also makes it easy for infections to spread from player to player.
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If your child develops one kidney stone, does that put him or her at risk of developing kidney stones throughout their lifetime? Not necessarily. While not entirely preventable, there are steps parents can take to help reduce their child’s risk of developing kidney stones.
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While parenting goals may vary, most parents can agree that one of their most important roles is to keep children safe while teaching them the skills they need to grow into fully capable teens and adults.
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Food packaging is often crowded with marketing claims that make it difficult to understand what ingredients hide in the foods, snacks and drinks we consume. For the more than 15 million Americans with food allergies, navigating those claims and checking food labels is essential to health and safety.
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As summer break comes to an end, one important item that may be missing from your back-to-school checklist is resetting your child's sleep schedule.
Article
Solar eclipses are incredible, rare celestial events – and seeing a total eclipse is all the more rare.
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Whether your child is being bullied or acting like a bully at school, these behaviors can affect their self-esteem, relationships, and mental health. As a parent, you can help protect your child’s emotional well-being by watching out for the signs of bullying and getting your child the help they need.
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When a child in your community is diagnosed with cancer, it's natural to want to help, but you might not always know how to lend a hand. "It's so hard because every parent copes differently," says Mary Van Meter, certified child life specialist at Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health. "Many parents say it is hard to hear 'I'm so sorry.' Rather, it’s important to focus on the positive statements of, 'We are in this with you. Whatever you need, we're here.'"
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Recovery from a sports concussion does not happen overnight, and you must let your child to take the necessary time to heal. While a normal range for recovery is three to four weeks, that recovery time will vary by individual. Allowing your child to rest is one of the most important steps you can take as a parent after your child is diagnosed with a sports concussion.
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With recent tragic events, some parents may be at a loss for words for how to explain racism, prejudice and acts of violence to their children. Other parents may be grieving that they yet again must address the dangers of racism with their children and worry for their safety. While these conversations can be difficult, they are important to have, urges Hillary Kimbley, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at Children's Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.
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Having a child who is facing a cancer diagnosis can be a terrifying experience. It's tempting to hide the diagnosis to protect your kid from the fear that you are experiencing. However, children will hear the term "cancer" used by various members of their medical team during their treatment.
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When a disaster or tragedy occurs, your child will likely hear and see a lot about it. The news is everywhere, and certain topics might be discussed in school or by your child's friends. Certain events could raise anxiety, so parents should be prepared to talk to their children about difficult topics.
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The COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against serious COVID-19 illness and has played a critical role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. While more than 250 million people in the United States have safely gotten the vaccine, many still feel hesitant about getting the vaccine for themselves or their children.
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According to the Beyond ABC report, 1 in 3 Texas students in grades 7 through 12 has used alcohol within the past school year. But just because teenage drinking is common does not mean it does not have serious risks. In fact, the stats show that teens who drink may be at higher risk of drinking-associated problems.
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Though it is an increasingly common condition, obesity is not a superficial issue. Carrying extra weight can lead to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. With childhood obesity rates rising, these health risks are affecting children at a much younger age.
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When you have a newborn in the house, your whole world suddenly revolves around the baby. Naturally, you search for the latest information to make sure your little one is eating right, sleeping right, and is happy and healthy. Keeping them fed is a priority, and sometimes it can be surprisingly challenging.
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If you have a baby, chances are you'll encounter diaper rash at some point.
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Nothing can slow down a child's fun – or interfere with family plans – more than a case of diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common condition that occurs when stool has too much water in it.
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If your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis, you probably have a few questions. What exactly is scoliosis, and will my child need surgery to correct the problem?
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While cigarette smoking has become less prevalent among children and teens in recent years, vaping has become a troubling and growing addiction among young people.
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Drinking enough water might sound like a simple daily task, but the consequences of not drinking enough can be serious. Dehydration can lead to complications such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, headache and fainting. Children's bodies are not as efficient at cooling down as adults, which makes them more prone to dehydration. Their risk of dehydration also increases as temperatures rise. Proper hydration is key to helping your child avoid heat-related illness and health complications.
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Hypospadias is a birth defect where the meatus isn’t on the tip of the penis. Instead, the meatus appears on the underside of the penis. In minor forms of the condition, the meatus is still on the head of the penis, just a little below the tip. In more severe forms, the meatus may appear as far back as the scrotum.
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can affect many parts of your child's life including school, friendships and activity. The physical symptoms associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are just one aspect. Your child may also experience mental health effects such as stress, depression and anxiety.
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When an athlete gets injured, it can be frightening – but it is also a common occurrence. High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries each year. Often, it can be difficult to know when a sports injury needs immediate attention versus when it's best to take a "wait and see" approach.
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When kids or teenagers feel aches and pains in their knees or other joints, they may tell you directly – or they may begin to act differently. Troy Smurawa, M.D., Director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at Children's Health℠ Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, explains that while joint pain is rare in children, growing pains in the bones can be confused for joint pain and cause parents concern.
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As Omicron swept across the country in early 2022, someone you know – or maybe even yourself or a family member – likely became infected with COVID-19. The highly contagious variant caused record numbers of COVID-19 cases, including in children. This leaves many parents wondering if they or their child got COVID-19, are they safe from getting it again?
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Regular physical activity is an important part of overall health, especially for growing children. Being active not only improves a child's physical health, it also offers cognitive and emotional benefits such as improving attention span and mental well-being.
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Despite his family's and GI doctor's best efforts, Vance continued to throw up multiple times a day and struggled to gain weight. For April, dealing with the mess – and the rude stares that often came with it – simply became part of her new normal.
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition comprising of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Chronic health conditions can affect people of all ages and can be challenging to manage, especially for children.
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The most popular social media apps are always changing, and it can be a challenge for parents to keep up. Currently, a video-sharing app called TikTok is one of the most prevalent, especially among teens.
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Heart-healthy habits are important for kids and adults of all ages. They help prevent disease and make sure kids are feeling their best. The key to these habits is establishing and maintaining healthy eating patterns at an early age.
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More than 6 million children in the U.S. are affected by seasonal allergies or hay fever, and allergy symptoms can spike when pollen counts are high. But during the pandemic, how can parents tell if their child's sniffle or sore throat is simply pollen-related or if it could be a sign of COVID-19?
Article
If you suspect your child is suffering from a sports concussion, the most important thing you can do is to get him or her evaluated by a medical professional soon after the injury. Once your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, it is important to let him or her sleep, as rest encourages healing of the brain.
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Chances are, you've heard some buzz about the ketogenic diet. The popular diet is grabbing headlines and celebrity endorsements, and with all the attention, a younger crowd might consider trying the keto diet for weight loss, too.
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It can be frustrating (and tiring!) when your child has trouble falling asleep at night. Many parents are turning to melatonin supplements as a solution. But what is melatonin? And is it safe for children?
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You've probably heard of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea, which causes pauses in breathing during sleep. You may even know an adult who has the condition, but did you know that it can affect kids too? Sleep apnea is a health condition that affects 2 to 3 percent of children up to age 18 – and it's on the rise in this population.
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With the plethora of baby products available today, it's not always easy to figure out what is best for your child, including what to feed him or her. Strolling the baby aisle, you'll see many foods and formulas labeled as organic. But is buying organic necessary, and does it make a significant difference in the health of your baby?
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Technology has many benefits when used responsibly: It can help us connect with others, find answers to questions and can even help improve productivity. But as rates of depression rise in adolescents, many wonder if screens and social media are negatively affecting our children's well-being.
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Every year, more than 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites and at least half of them are children, per the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are more likely to be severely injured.
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If you pay attention to health trends, you've likely heard some buzz about the Mediterranean diet. In 2020, the Mediterranean diet was named the best overall diet by U.S. News & World Report for the second year in a row. For parents looking for effective ways to encourage their family to make healthy choices, the Mediterranean diet can serve as an excellent framework to set up lifelong habits.
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When fall comes around each year, it's time to think about everyone in your family getting a flu shot – for their protection and to do your part to boost community health. But, if your child has an egg allergy, you may be concerned about the egg protein in the flu shot.
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Children's Health experts want kids to have a fun and SAFE summer. We have tips you need to know about how to properly use a life jacket before your child makes a splash in the pool.
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As teens grow and learn, their brains are programmed to seek out new and different experiences, which can make a challenge on social media so appealing. Some of these online trends carry a positive goal, such as altruistic video challenges raising money for a worthy cause. Others, however, involve risky behaviors that are much more dangerous — sometimes even deadly. Teens have suffered severe injuries and some have even been killed while trying to be part of this craze.
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Since Tara's son was born with a kidney condition, she knew he would probably need to receive a transplant. However, she never expected to be on the other side of the transplant experience.
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For as long as he can remember, Jack wanted to play football. "Every year he would ask if he could play football. I would have to tell him, ‘No, you can't play when you're 3 years old,'" his mom, Ana, says with a laugh.
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When Jack was just three years old, he was visiting a fountain at the park with his grandma – an x-ray technician – when she noticed a bump on his right side. He saw his pediatrician the next day who referred him to Children’s Health for a scan, which revealed a mass growing on his right kidney.
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After Jade was diagnosed with two unrelated health conditions as a baby, her family worried if she would even be able to walk. But that’s all a distant memory to the young soccer sensation thanks to care teams at Children’s Health.
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As many as half of all newborns experience jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, during their first weeks of life – and in most cases, the condition can be easily managed. But despite its high occurrence, jaundice is always something to pay attention to urges Amal Aqul, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children's Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.
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Bridgett will never forget what happened to her son in 2015. And she will never forget the compassionate people who worked to save his life either.
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Fifteen-year-old Jesus recently learned to walk again – a big feat for the all-around sports player whose goal is to get back on the basketball court and football field. In January 2015, Jesus remembers feeling dizzy while playing basketball at school. He stopped for a water break and his next memory is paramedics loading him into an ambulance. He had experienced a seizure. "I remember being in lots of pain," Jesus says.
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Since birth, Jordan had always been the picture of health. But when he turned 21 months old, that quickly changed.
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In February 2019, Caitlin and her husband, Edwin, were excited to learn they would be adopting a baby boy. That excitement mixed with some fear when their son was diagnosed in utero with a bilateral cleft lip. Caitlin and Edwin did a great deal of research about caring for babies with cleft lips prior to his birth, but Caitlin says she still worried that her "motherly instincts" wouldn't kick in. Within seconds after their son Joseph's birth, however, those fears quickly vanished.
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Erica’s family moved to Dallas for her job in 2020. Looking back, she feels like it was divine intervention — bringing her family to one of the few places in the world where they could access specialized care for the rare condition her daughter Kailey would be diagnosed with.
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Katie is a creative 16-year-old who enjoys writing short stories and going to concerts. She's on the yearbook staff at school and spends most Friday nights under the lights capturing photos of her peers at football games and other school functions. As a single-leg amputee, she looks a bit different than her classmates, but if there's one thing that defines Katie, it's her independent spirit and refusal to let life's challenges keep her down.
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ATVs are popular in Texas. They are commonly used for recreation but are also used for work on farms or ranches. What many people don't realize is that all-terrain vehicles can be especially dangerous for kids. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children are involved in about 30% of all ATV-related deaths or emergency room visits.
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Summertime brings warm weather and lots of sunshine. But parents of infants, in particular, should keep a few essential heat and sun safety tips in mind while enjoying the season.
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Khadence is an active young girl with a bright smile. She loves baton twirling, dancing, writing and helping take care of her two little sisters.
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Her mom, Schwana, brought her to the Sickle Cell Disease program in the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health, one of the largest pediatric programs for patients with sickle cell disease in the nation.
Article
It seems that from the moment our children learn how to walk all they want to do is run. It's one of the most natural forms of exercise and play. But if your child starts to run longer distances, you may wonder if running puts his or her growing body at risk for injury, and how far is too far.
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When Misti was pregnant with her daughter, Klara, her obstetrician noticed a cloudy spot on Klara's small intestine during a routine ultrasound. Misti's doctor informed her that there was a chance Klara would be born with cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited genetic condition that affects mucus production in the lungs and digestive tract, and suggested that both Misti and her husband, Richard, undergo genetic screening. The test confirmed that both Misti and Richard were CF carriers, which meant there was a 25% chance that Klara would be born with the condition.
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Statistics show that sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are on the rise among teens locally and across the country. A recent report from Dallas County Health and Human Services found that rates of STIs have increased by more than 20%. Out of the 19,000 county-wide cases of chlamydia, 60% were among teens 15 to 24 years old.
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Summer can be a season of fun for kids. School's out, and they're ready for pool parties, barbecues, weeknight ice cream outings and camps where they can meet lifelong friends.
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As your child grows, he or she will begin to hit certain developmental milestones like crawling, talking and walking. Although each child grows differently, children tend to hit these developmental milestones roughly around the same time.
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At 13 years old, LJ was an active, healthy student-athlete from Paris, Texas. He played football and basketball, was in the school's marching band and had the usual teenage aspirations – get a job, save up for a car and hang out with friends.
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Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks the worst cities for seasonal allergies – and every year, Dallas makes the list. In spring 2019, Dallas ranked 45th on the list of most challenging places to live with allergies.
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Lupus is a type of autoimmune disease, which means a person's immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of just harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses and fungi. In systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE or just lupus, the immune system may attack and inflame the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system and other organs.
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For most people, going to the bathroom comes naturally. But for one little girl and her family it was anything but easy.
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London is a vivacious toddler who speaks in full sentences and loves macaroni and cheese. "I mostly forget that she has a problem with her heart," says Chelsey, London's mom.
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Today, over 3 million children and adults are living with congenital heart disease, and new treatments and technologies are bringing greater hope to families. In fact, in 2005, the number of adults living with a congenital heart defect outnumbered that of children living with a congenital heart defect for the first time. This means there is tremendous hope for children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
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Luis was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the retina, when he was just 7 months old. It’s a day his mother, Crissty, will never forget for two reasons. First, the obvious: It was the day the terms cancer, chemotherapy, survival rate and prognosis entered their vocabulary. But even more than that, it was also the first time Luis called her mama. Understandably, Crissty likes to focus on the latter milestone.
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Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick (blacklegged tick). It is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. and was first reported in Lyme, Connecticut.
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If Madison wasn't hooked up to a dialysis machine, you would probably never know she needs a kidney transplant. Diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney disease at age 12, she is now in complete renal failure. This means no eating out with friends, swimming and traveling. Instead, Madison spends her Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Children's Health℠ getting dialysis.
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Richard and Kate were flying home from a trip to Chicago when Kate went into early labor. She was just shy of 6 months pregnant.
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Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions. It affects the airways and breathing, which can make a respiratory infection like COVID-19 feel especially concerning. Thankfully, there are ways to keep asthma under control and to help prevent infection from COVID-19.
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Your child's immune system works overtime to protect her from disease. It produces antibodies that attack foreign invaders like germs and pathogens so your child won't get sick. Sometimes, though, the immune system makes antibodies for substances that aren't harmful, such as pollen, pet dander or certain foods. When that happens, it's known as an allergic reaction. Allergies are very common in children.
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Children with chronic health conditions – such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or mental or behavioral health conditions – need extra attention at school to stay safe and healthy. With the right treatment plan and support, children with these conditions can flourish at school without putting their health at risk.
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Congenital heart disease – or CHD – refers to a heart defect that is present at birth. Understanding and managing a life-long condition can be a challenge. But Karl Reyes, M.D., a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon at Children's Health℠, shares information to help patient families manage CHD.
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Bella is the modern version of a Renaissance (wo)man. She's a high school junior who excels in academics and manages the school wrestling team. She has a close-knit group of friends and family, was recently promoted at her job and is a talented vocalist who is teaching herself to play guitar. She is also in the midst of a life-changing search for answers as she manages a chronic illness that has knocked her down several times in her life – but Bella refuses to give up.
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Have you ever wondered why cold weather can trigger asthma? It is because cold air causes the muscles surrounding the airways to contract, making the airways narrow. For kids with asthma, that constriction can make breathing more difficult and make asthma attacks more likely. In addition, other health conditions like the flu and respiratory infections are more common during colder months, and those illnesses can make asthma symptoms worse.
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As a growing number of states legalize marijuana and public perceptions shift, more teens may feel that marijuana isn't dangerous – putting them at higher risk for marijuana use.
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Not all children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will require medication for intervention. For some children, non-medication based therapies such as speech, feeding therapies, occupational therapies or play therapies may be sufficient to help alleviate some of the more worrisome behaviors in children.
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Sam loves his dog, Cookie. When he stayed at Children’s for eight months last year waiting for his second intestinal transplant, he missed his sidekick.
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Megan has always been an active child. She has played sports since she was 5 years old and can often be found hanging out with friends or playing outside. So when her parents, Brian and Joy, noticed that she wasn't acting like her typical self a few months before her 11th birthday, they started to worry something was wrong.
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Manuel remembers the moment he realized that his baby girl born with a cleft lip and palate would be okay. "As soon as we met her surgeon, we knew she was in the best hands possible," Manuel says. James Seaward, M.D., plastic and craniofacial surgeon at Children’s Health and Assistant Professor of Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery at UT Southwestern, met Manuel and his wife, Belinda, after an ultrasound revealed the cleft lip and palate. Their baby, Wendy, would need surgery to repair it.
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More and more children are struggling with mental health. Up to 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people ages 10-24. For children or teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer (LGBTQ), the risks are even higher: Research has found that LGBTQ youth seriously consider suicide much more frequently than their heterosexual peers. They’re also more likely to have attempted it.
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In the summer of 2021, Lindsay and her husband Kevin welcomed their second son, Merce, into their lives. Lindsay’s labor was short and “easy.” Merce started nursing and the family soon headed home.
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"Your son, Michael, will never be able to hear, speak or do the things a normal hearing person would do," my parents were told. I was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf at the age of 15 months. My world seemed as if it had come to a narrow passage with very limited opportunities. However, it was the beginning of something unforeseen and beyond normal. All future dreams and visions seemed shattered, but they were actually expanding to a whole new dimension a normal-hearing person would never experience.
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Music has been a part of Miette's life for as long as she can remember. Whether she is singing, dancing or playing an instrument, something comes alive in her when she performs. So when the 13-year-old's wrist started hurting, her family acted quickly to find experts who could help her heal and continue to play.
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As an infant, Miguel couldn’t tell his parents that he couldn’t see very well. They noticed that he sometimes missed things he was reaching for, but they figured it was just part of his development.
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In May 2016 while at school, a daycare teacher noticed that Miles' ear was bleeding. Miles' mom, Stephanie, brought him to the pediatrician, who suspected Miles had ruptured his ear drum and prescribed a round of antibiotics. But after Miles continued experiencing unusual symptoms, his pediatrician referred him to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. The specialist believed there was excess tissue in Miles' ear canal that would need to be surgically removed.
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Megan had what most would consider a textbook pregnancy with her firstborn son, Miloh. Though he spent several hours in the NICU after delivery because of fluid in his lungs, he was soon back in the hospital room with his mom and went home just a few days later, happy and healthy.
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Naturally, parents want their children to grow up with good life skills and a healthy sense of identity and self-worth. However, in today's overscheduled and tech-connected world, external factors are constantly influencing kids' ideas of who they should be, how they should look and what they should think and do with their lives.
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This fall, Tonya and her husband, Craig, will pack up the car and drive their youngest son Mitchell to begin his freshman year of college.
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When Jireh was 14 years old, his mom Sharonda rushed him to the doctor on a weekend because she was afraid he was having an extreme allergic reaction to something he had eaten. His face had swollen up significantly and, initially, his doctor came to the same conclusion but asked for a urine sample just in case. To everyone’s surprise, the urinalysis detected there was blood in the sample, and Jireh was referred to Children’s Health for additional testing.
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Dance has been a part of Mya's life for as long as she can remember. Her teachers and classmates are like extensions of her family, and the dance studio feels like a second home. Over the years, she has learned how dance can tell a story in a new way, and when it was time for her to perform a solo piece in this year's spring dance competition, she knew exactly the story she wanted to celebrate: her 10-year anniversary of the liver transplant she received as an infant at Children's Health.
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When Nadia was just 3 years old, her mom, Natalie, brought her to the doctor, suspecting she may have a urinary tract infection. The doctor agreed and prescribed antibiotics, but when the family returned a week later for a follow up appointment, a urinalysis revealed there was glucose present. An additional blood test determined that Nadia's A1C level, or average blood sugar level, was elevated to 9%. The normal range is 4.6 – 6.0%.
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Libby from Amarillo found out during a routine ultrasound at 24 weeks gestation that her baby girl had several serious heart defects. Natalie would need treatment for hypoplastic right heart syndrome, which causes the right side of the heart to be severely underdeveloped, along with tricuspid atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect.
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During the holiday season, many families look forward to a big Thanksgiving feast, school celebrations and special seasonal treats. But for parents of a child with food allergies, celiac disease or Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), the holidays can be a stressful time of year. Learn how to navigate food allergies during the festivities to ensure your child has a happy and healthy holiday season.
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The new guidelines from AAP were released on Monday, May 22, 2017. This is the academy's first update on fruit juice recommendations since 2001. The policy statement recommendations suggest:
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For the first three years of his life, Marc was an average kid from a small town in Louisiana. Marc’s mother, Hannah, says he loved music, tractors and lawn mowers.
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When Nina fell critically ill two weeks into her senior year of high school, she had no idea how much she’d have to give up, including many of the foods she enjoyed.
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Jack and Luke are identical twins, but they’re different in many ways. Luke is outgoing and likes to be the center of attention.
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Olivia was 26 weeks pregnant when she learned that her unborn son, Noah, had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect critically affecting the left side of his heart.
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Noelle has always been active. After years of ballet, she decided to shift her focus to other sports in high school. She ran cross country, played tennis – and found an instant fit with basketball.
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When Julianne was 15 years old, she begged her mom to let her miss one of her last two driver's education classes to take a summer trip to a lake in Arkansas. That trip took a tragic turn when Julianne was propelled off a jet ski into the bow of a boat, breaking every bone in her face and suffering a long list of traumatic injuries.
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Many families already know the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet. But if your child or teen is an athlete performing at a high level on a regular basis, you may have additional concerns about their nutrition and dietary needs.
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While there isn't a one-size-fits-all diet for athletes, there are certain foods that will better fuel their performance than others. Each athlete should consider their training goals, type of sport and level of activity, which will affect their nutrition needs.
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As babies grow, their nutritional needs can change quickly. Encourage healthy growth and development by following this quick nutrition guide for infants and toddlers.
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Shortly after Monse was born, she started displaying symptoms that something was wrong with her liver. She was admitted to Children‘s Medical Center Dallas and diagnosed with biliary atresia, a serious condition which occurs when the bile ducts are blocked or don't function normally, causing bile to back up in the liver. Though biliary atresia can often be repaired through a surgical procedure known as the Kasai procedure, Monse's liver was so badly damaged that doctors determined a liver transplant was her only option. She was placed on the transplant list and remained in the hospital while her family awaited news of a donor.
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When Evan was just nine years old, he came down with a persistent high fever that doctors originally suspected was just a virus running its course after initial tests showed nothing abnormal. His parents were traveling at the time, but his aunt, a nurse, was taking care of him and keeping a close eye on his symptoms. When his fever still hadn't gone away three days later, Evan's aunt brought him to the Emergency Department at Children's Medical Center Plano telling the care team that she, "was not leaving until [they] did every possible test to figure out what was going on."
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Many parents may be surprised to learn the rise in opioid use isn't limited to adults. A new study has found that the number of young people who were diagnosed in emergency rooms with opioid use disorder or addiction is on the rise.
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Approximately 113,000 people are waiting to receive an organ transplant, and a new person is added to the list every 10 minutes. For these people, receiving a new organ can be a life-changing event. Unfortunately, there are fewer donor organs available than there are people waiting.
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If a medicine doesn't require a prescription, many parents assume it's safe for their child to take. That's not always the case. Children often need smaller doses than adults take, while other medications aren't meant for kids at all. At Children’s, we want all kids to feel better, but we also want them to be safe.
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All of Bobby and Ray's children hold a special place in their hearts, but their journey with Pablo has been unique.
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Paisley is a little girl with a big personality. She's a kind friend, a curious learner and an energetic athlete who wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up. The past year has been a big one for Paisley: She started kindergarten and welcomed a new, four-legged member to her family. But most notably, the 5-year-old also underwent brain surgery and found relief from the nearly 100 epileptic seizures she used to have each day.
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Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) is a common childhood illness often recognized by the bright red rash it creates on a child’s cheeks. Because of this, it’s sometimes called “slapped cheek” disease. Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19, a contagious respiratory virus that can also cause mild flu-like symptoms.
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When Diego saw his first hockey match at just 11 years old, he knew immediately he wanted to skate. Even now, five years later, Diego remembers the very first time his rental skates hit the ice during an open skate.
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In April 2010, Dayton, then age 13, was seriously injured when he was accidentally shot in the left arm by a 12-gauge shotgun.
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Cherish loves rolling trucks on the ground with her toddler and singing "You Are My Sunshine" to him. When Pharaoh was born, she didn't know if these moments would ever be possible.
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Children can be picky eaters. It's a concern many parents face. Some children won't eat foods that are green; some avoid foods with certain textures. Preschoolers are notoriously picky eaters, often limiting the foods they eat to just a couple of favorite items.
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As athletes look for ways to build endurance and strength, they may be wondering if a certain diet would help boost their sports performance. But with so many trendy diets out there today, it can be hard to sift through the information and find the right regimen for their needs.
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Summer camp is a favorite childhood memory for many and can play an important role in a child's growth and development. Camp can help children build confidence, make new friends, try new activities and stretch their independence. Most importantly, camp is a place where kids can be kids and simply have fun.
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Graduating high school is a major milestone for all teens. Whether they plan to go to college in the fall, enroll in a technical program or embark upon a career, it’s a time of significant change and transitions.
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Every year in the U.S., more than 60,000 kids wind up in emergency rooms because they were messing around with medicine — unsupervised. Medications typically have bright, happy colors, funny shapes, some even look and taste like candy, so why wouldn’t kids be tempted to explore the medicine cabinet or mom’s purse?
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Preston has always been happy and extremely active. He enjoys playing sports and video games and spending time with friends. So when he began experiencing severe stomach pains and losing a considerable amount of weight in the summer of 2016, his parents suspected something might be seriously wrong. Preston was 11 at the time.
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A recent study confirmed what many student athletes and their parents have learned the hard way: hand injuries and playing sports, especially field sports, can go hand-in-hand. Although some of the most common hand and wrist injuries heal quickly with rest and at-home treatment, other injuries are more serious and can take weeks to heal.
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Ouch! As much as we try to protect our little ones, many children suffer accidental burns in and around their homes – from hot water, stovetops and appliances, steam, curling irons, open flames and even the hot sun.
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The summer months bring excessive heat to North Texas – and with that heat also comes an excessive amount of insects. With many families spending time outdoors, conditions are just right for painful and annoying bug bites.
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A new school year brings new classes, new teachers and reunions with friends after summer break. But if you've ever noticed that the school year also brings increased sniffles, coughs and colds, you're not alone.
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It’s scary to think someone would sexually abuse a child, but unfortunately, it happens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse at some point in childhood. And 91% of child sexual abuse happens by someone the child knows – possibly a family member, coach, teacher, church member or another child.
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It may come as a surprise to many parents, but sports-related injuries are the second leading cause of emergency room visits in children and adolescents across the country. And Texas is no exception. Home to more than 7 million youth and an ever-increasing population of young athletes, Texas is a hotbed for sports injuries among children.
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According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of disease cases from mosquito, tick and flea bites has more than tripled from 2004 to 2016.
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When Erin received an urgent call from her 1-year-old son's daycare, she knew immediately that he was having an anaphylactic reaction. Allergic to eggs, Hunter accidentally ate part of another student's French toast.
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Parents want to feed their kids nutritious foods, but when it comes to snack time, it can be a challenge to find easy, on-the-go options that are also healthy and unprocessed.
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Respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV, is a specific virus that has similar symptoms to the common cold but may cause inflammation of the smallest air passageways in the lungs.
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A rash is a patch of red, inflamed skin that may be itchy, painful or swollen. Rashes are common in kids and can be the result of many things, including allergies, infections or irritants. Most rashes are easily treated and clear up quickly. If your child's rash lingers or doesn't respond to medications, call your doctor.
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Signing up your family for a race together is a great way to combine exercise with quality time. There are many family-friendly races available, whether with different themes (mud runs, bubble runs, superhero runs, etc.) or supporting a cause you care about.
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By the time she was 9 years old, Rebecca had already undergone eight surgeries to correct her cleft lip, a congenital craniofacial deformity affecting approximately one in 700 newborns in the U.S. Now, by the age of 17, she's had three additional surgeries, with one final procedure scheduled this December. She's faced challenges – physically and emotionally – that no child should have to bear. Through it all, however, if there’s one word to describe her, it's strong.
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There are a variety of reasons a child may have trouble sitting still, following directions or paying attention. Often, this behavior could be due to age or maturity level. However, frequent hyperactivity or trouble concentrating could be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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You can never have too much fruit. That bit of parenting was one mom’s valiant attempt to steer her kids away from junk food. The truth is, you can have too much of a good thing – even fruit!
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When Maria was pregnant, her obstetrician informed her there was a high chance that her child would be born with Down syndrome. Maria and her husband did their best to plan for whatever unique challenges they might face after delivery, but there was no way they could have prepared themselves for the surprise they received when their daughter, Camila, was born. Contrary to her doctor's prediction, Camila did not have Down syndrome, but Maria knew from her first look at her daughter, that something was wrong with her hand.
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When Riley was 7 years old, she caught a cold. It was the same cold her three sisters had come down with. But as Riley's sisters quickly got better, she struggled to recover.
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Give 8-year-old Riley, a stage to dance on or a sport to play and she’ll show up ready to perform. Few challenges intimidate her. The greater the learning curve, the more dedicated Riley will be.
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The news about a youth mental health crisis in the wake of the pandemic has been alarming. In October 2021, health groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the urgent need to address the mental health crisis in children and teens in our country.
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Ritvika is, in many ways, what most would consider a typical teenager. She enjoys spending time with friends, playing sports and performing on stage.
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At age 35, Rob, who lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D), still sees himself as a Children’s Health℠ patient. He credits Children’s Health as one of the most essential players in the success of his health.
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If you're a new parent or a parent-to-be, you’re likely aware of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). SIDS is the unexplained death of an infant less than 1 year of age, and while the causes may be unknown, there are steps you can take to reduce your baby's risk.
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Any new or experienced parent can attest to the fact that the early months of even the healthiest child's life comes with its own set of challenges. Lack of sleep, figuring out feedings, tracking developmental milestones – the list goes on.
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Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But many accidents can be prevented by helping teens make safer choices while driving.
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David Aguilar is a Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator at Children’s Health℠ and Water Safety Instructor – and his passion for swim safety runs deep. He is a lifelong water lover who grew up near the beach and learned about the importance of learning to swim from his family.
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Walking to school can have many benefits for you and your kids, including spending time outdoors and starting the day with physical activity. Follow these tips to enable kids to walk safely to school.
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It was the summer after kindergarten and Sal should have been out on the block playing with his neighborhood pals. But the typically robust 6-year-old was fighting off one illness after another.
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Seven-year-old Sammy loves soccer, ballet and spending time with her best friend and big sister, Ella. She also has a whole collection of sloth stuffed animals.
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In February 2017, Kata heard a strange sound on her monitor in the middle of the night. It sounded as if one of her children were drowning in their beds. She immediately went upstairs to check on her kids and saw that something was wrong with her son, Samu, then 7 years old.
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Managing school demands – from classwork and tests to social interactions and extracurricular activities – can feel challenging for any child from time to time. However, for children dealing with anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns, just getting through a school day can feel overwhelming.
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In another recent post, you learned how childhood obesity can be a significant risk factor for heart disease, especially when it’s accompanied by factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or prediabetes, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet. The first line of defense against childhood obesity includes incorporating more physical exercise and nutritious foods into a child’s lifestyle.
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Approximately 4-5% of all children will experience a seizure at some point during their childhood. About 1% of children are diagnosed with epilepsy, and 1 in 26 people develop this neurological condition during their lifetime.
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Approximately 18% of adolescents have engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury at some point in their lives. This means that nearly one in five teenagers have hurt themselves on purpose, without intending suicide, such as by cutting, burning, biting, hitting or severely scratching themselves.
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Due to COVID-19, many children are spending more time at home with their parents. During this pandemic, kids have learned about the risks of being around large groups of people. They’ve followed new rules about wearing a mask, hand washing and social distancing. But now, as schools and activities resume, many children – even those who were once excited to go to school – feel intense separation anxiety about leaving their parents’ side.
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When a child or adult has an infection, the body's immune system kicks into gear to fight it off. When faced with a viral infection, like a cold or flu, or a bacterial infection, like strep, a child may experience symptoms like fever, sore throat, body aches and headache. Those symptoms are usually manageable and a healthy immune response ensures the child will recover fully within a few days.
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Having your child share your bed is a fairly common situation in which many families find themselves - either by choice or by accident. Elisa Basora-Rovira, M.D., a pediatrician specializing in sleep medicine at Children's Health and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, receives numerous questions about co-sleeping from parents wanting their family to get the best sleep possible.
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One of the first health decisions new parents of boys face is whether or not to circumcise their son. You and your partner may begin debating the pros and cons of circumcision from the moment you find out you're having a boy, or you may not even consider it until they ask you in the hospital.
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Does your doctor say your child's body mass index (BMI) puts them in the overweight category, but you think they look healthy? BMI measurements can cause a lot of frustration and confusion for parents.
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If you are like many parents, the nasal spray flu mist vaccine sounds like an easy way to protect your child against the flu. You don't have to worry about your child's fear of needles or any tears or tantrums leading up to the shot.
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In the U.S., more than a third of children and adolescents are overweight, which can lead to greater risk of disease as they get older. Weight loss surgery can be an effective way to reach a healthy weight, reduce the likelihood of chronic disease and increase one's self-esteem, according to Faisal Qureshi, M.D., Chief of Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children's Health.
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When children are sick, all you want is to help them feel better. With bacterial infections, you might give them antibiotics, but when it comes to viruses like the flu, you may not have many options.
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Probiotics are live strains of healthy bacteria that are intended to have health benefits, especially for the digestive system. These supplements are becoming increasingly popular as research suggests that our gut bacteria and microbiome play a larger role in our overall health than we realized.
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For years, there was no medicine to prevent RSV in babies. August 2023 marked a significant milestone with the first widely available RSV prevention for babies.
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News about dangerous levels of arsenic and other heavy metals in baby foods may have you concerned. No parent wants to find out the food they thought was safe and nourishing could possibly put their child at risk.
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Sebastian, or "Bash," as his family and friends call him, is an active young boy who makes friends easily, says what’s on his mind and is the happiest when he’s swimming or running around with friends. He recently joined the track team and was determined to do his absolute best – even if he was the smallest and youngest competitor in the field.
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When children display symptoms of the flu, parents are often unsure when they should call the doctor or when to take their child to the hospital. Children with the flu can typically be treated at home with rest and fluids. A trip to the emergency room (ER) should not be necessary for most cases of the flu. However, there are certain warning signs parents can watch for to know when to seek medical attention.
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For Reagan, life revolves around the baseball diamond. He went to his first Texas Rangers game when he was just 1 month old, and his parents, Jaimee and Leo, have run a youth sports organization for the past several years. He’s often the first one out on the field and the last one to leave, so it can come as a surprise to new friends that Reagan was born with a disease that can cause crippling pain and organ damage.
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At high school sports games throughout the region, you may notice something new on the sidelines: a medical tent. Each year, more than 2.6 million children are treated nationwide for sports-related injuries. To help care for these injuries, Children's Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine strives to use pioneering techniques to evaluate young athletes on the field.
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Work with your doctor to find your child’s symptoms on the wheel and have your doctor circle the appropriate school tips.
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It is common for kids to feel anxious sometimes. But with the rise of mental health issues in children and nearly 1 in 3 adolescents being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, it’s important for parents to know what is normal, when to be concerned and how to provide their child with the support they need.
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In 2016, there were 7,454 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in North Texas – and 58,644 confirmed cases across the state (source: 2017 Beyond ABC report). Child abuse and neglect can have a lasting effect on its victims. Not only is there suffering at the time of abuse, but many victims are shown to experience depression, anxiety, higher rates of early-age drinking and smoking and other health risks.
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Does your child seem unusually sad, irritable or quiet lately? Such changes in mood could be due to a temporary stress in life. But how do you know if it's something more? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children with depression and anxiety has increased over time, and 3.2% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have a current diagnosis of depression.
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As children learn to read and write, it can be common for them to struggle. All children learn at different paces. However, if your child continues to have challenges with reading or spelling, you may begin to wonder if your child has dyslexia, a common learning disorder.
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Broken bones can happen to children or teens of any age or activity level. These breaks, also called fractures, can be caused by a variety of injuries, including overuse injuries or acute injuries.
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Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products, like milk and cheese. To help digest it, our small intestine contains an enzyme called lactase. Lactase turns lactose into glucose, which our bodies use for energy. However, for children and adults with lactose intolerance, this digestive process doesn't occur properly, which can result in uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
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If you grew up being reminded to stand up straight or pull back your shoulders, you’re not alone. But for three out of every 100 adolescents who are diagnosed with scoliosis, perfect posture [Link to Posture article] might be out of reach without medical intervention.
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Sisters Melissa and Makayla have a lot in common. The 11- and 8-year-olds are both passionate about performing, enjoy riding bikes and love playing with their three-legged rescue dog named Amethyst. They also both have cystic fibrosis.
![Read: Six flu myths debunked [Infographic]](/wps/wcm/connect/childrenspublic/db66b00b-b452-48b2-ad95-fc927aaf1a4e/CHST231024_Flu-Infographic-%2820528%29_FINAL-525x315.jpg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_6IH81240MO2M00A9420PHQ3004-db66b00b-b452-48b2-ad95-fc927aaf1a4e-p54v.lS)
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Ever wonder what is true and false about the flu? Find out everything you need to know about the cold and flu this flu season.
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Since COVID-19 vaccines became available, hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have gotten vaccinated. But there are still many questions about the vaccines, such as how do they work, are they safe and who should get vaccinated.
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Just when you think you've got a handle on getting your little one to sleep through the night, he or she starts waking up frequently or refusing to sleep at all. Sleep regressions are common, especially during a baby’s first year, and can leave both you and your child sleepy and frustrated.
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Cade was born with Down syndrome and a hole in his heart. From prenatal monitoring to open heart surgery, his doctors in Dallas and Tyler worked together to provide the best care.
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Texas is home to its fair share of venomous snakes including copperheads, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths (water moccasins) and coral snakes. While these snakes and their bites are certainly frightening, snake bites are rare and rarely fatal. Each year, about 1 to 2 people in Texas die from snake bites.
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How we use the Internet has changed rapidly since the days of online forums and chat rooms. Today's children have less privacy online and greater access to other people, including their friends – and strangers.
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When Bre and Sean were expecting their fourth child, doctors informed them that the child may face significant challenges after she was born.
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If you ask Shonda, her pregnancy was "picture perfect" for the first 20 weeks. But at 21 weeks, Shonda's water broke, sending her into pre-term labor, and she and her husband, Scott, found themselves face-to-face with their worst fear.
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Young athletes face their share of bumps and scrapes, but first aid kits aren’t the solution to every injury. If your child has recurring lower back pain or spondylolysis, they may be at risk for a slipped disk in the spine.
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Over the last few years, many people have gotten the message that sugar-containing sodas are not a healthy choice for their family and have started to buy less of these drinks. However, as soda drinking declines, more people are buying sports and energy drinks thinking they are healthier alternatives.
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The sports supplement industry is booming and promises to help athletes of all ages move faster and grow stronger. But the vitamin and supplement industry is mostly unregulated, leading to a wide variation in supplement quality across the market. This lack of regulation can put athletes and their health at risk – with little or no recognized benefits.
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Hay fever is far and away the most common allergy in the United States. Depending on the type of pollen your child is allergic to, he or she may only have symptoms at certain times of year. For instance, a child with a birch pollen allergy will have increased symptoms in the spring when birch trees are in bloom. Kids with grass allergies will be hit hardest during the summer, while those with ragweed allergies will suffer most in the fall.
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The weather’s getting warmer, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming – and you’re likely holding a mile-long spring cleaning list. Spring cleaning holds many benefits. If you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies, ridding the house of lingering dust, mold and pollen can bring some relief. Spring cleaning reduces the bacteria you live with, resulting in a healthier environment. Plus, after a season of family gatherings, indoor activities, holiday gifts and school projects, you’re probably craving a little fresher air and open space inside your home.
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Stephanie loves dancing. But after joining the dance team at her high school and wearing ponytails on a regular basis, all Stephanie could think about during performances was whether people noticed her ears.
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The groundwork for any healthy lifestyle habit is planning. Spending a few minutes each weekend planning meals and snacks for the upcoming week will save time and money by avoiding last-minute grocery runs or trips through the drive-through lane.
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As many parents know, children and stomach aches seem to go hand in hand. Stomach pain in kids can be caused by a variety of common reasons such as eating too much, needing to go to the bathroom, or anxiety or worry about an upcoming event. However, if your child complains of stomach pain frequently, it can be difficult to know the best ways to help and when to call the doctor.
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Nerves can sometimes be a good thing. In the case of school, a little bit of anxiety can act as a motivator for children to study. However, too much anxiety can lead to poor performance.
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Whether it is the constant connection to technology, a busier schedule than ever before or other factors, today's children are facing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression than previous generations.
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Whether from busy schedules, pressures of work, or news and current events, it can be common for parents to feel stressed. However, it's important to remember that stress is not limited to adults – children and teens can experience stress, too.
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It’s not just the elderly who have strokes. In children, strokes are often due to blood clotting problems, congenital heart disease, infection or other long term conditions like Sickle Cell Disease. A pediatric neurologist at Children’s Health explains the signs and symptoms of stroke in children
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In spring 2016, Sandra Hernandez took her 10-year-old daughter Abby for her annual check-up. There, the physician shared that her daughter’s glucose levels were high. With a long family history of diabetes, Sandra knew it was time to act. She wanted to give her daughter more control over her health.
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There's no denying it: Kids love just about anything served up sweet. Most parents realize too much sugar is a bad thing, but it's often hard to know how much is too much – or even how much sugar is in some of kids' favorite foods and snacks.
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During the summer months, outdoor activities are in full swing and the sun is shining bright. It's important to teach children that a healthy and safe summer starts with protecting their skin.
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Before Rowan was even born, her parents knew she and her heart were special. At 23 weeks, an ultrasound revealed Rowan had several congenital heart defects. Imaging showed the growing baby had double outlet right ventricle, a category of congenital heart disease where both of the arteries that come out of the heart come from the same pumping chamber. She also had a large ventricular septal defect (a hole in the wall of the heart) and mild pulmonary artery stenosis (narrowing of the artery that travels from the heart to the lung).
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When John started puberty, he noticed a shallow indentation in his chest. After a rapid growth spurt at age 13, the indentation became much more noticeable and began affecting him physically. Soccer games with friends became more challenging due to shortness of breath, and he began wearing a bandana around his neck to hide his chest.
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Jacob had always been noticeably bigger than his peers – a characteristic that his Pee Wee football coaches viewed as an advantage during elementary school. Some of his classmates, however, weren't always as kind.
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These extra training sessions help to accelerate physical conditioning, skill development and team cohesion. However, athletes can experience increased amounts of physical and psychological stress during these multi-session practices. Troy Smurawa, M.D., is the Director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He shares tips to help your athlete survive two-a-days and get the most out of each workout.
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When daylight saving time changes come around, or you need to adjust your child’s sleep schedule for other reasons, you should take careful steps to change the bedtime routine.
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This hearty chili tastes indulgent, but it is actually good for you! The carrots and sweet potatoes pack a healthy punch with vitamin A, potassium and fiber, while the spices add flavor.
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With warmer weather approaching, swimming is a popular activity among kids. But, for parents of children with diabetes, one common concern is whether swimming is possible while wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
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College sophomore Sydney’s life revolves around her online courses at Southern University (her dream school) where she’s majoring in mass communications.
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Political events and beliefs are often top of mind for adults and a focus in the news, particularly during election seasons. Because of this, it's natural for kids to hear about these topics and become curious.
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According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates are on the rise in the U.S., including among children and teens. As of 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the age of 15 and 19. Most suicide attempts in children and adolescents occur when children have depression or other mood disorders.
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Tatum had just returned from a fun weekend in San Antonio celebrating her grandmother’s 65th birthday when she started to run a fever. It didn’t go down by the next morning and she began having trouble walking so her mom, Whitney, took her to her pediatrician’s office to figure out what was going on. She tested negative for strep, but her blood work came back abnormal so her doctor urged them to go directly to the emergency room at Children’s Medical Center Plano.
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Parents want their kids to be happy and successful in life. But to raise kids who become well-rounded, emotionally healthy adults, it's important to let them experience life's emotions – both the good and the bad.
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One of the most important lessons parents can teach their children is to be accepting and compassionate to those who look different from them. But, it can also be one of the most challenging lessons to teach. Celia Heppner, Psy.D., plastic and craniofacial surgery psychologist at Children's Health and assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern, explains that teaching your child about physical differences begins at a young age and continues throughout childhood and the teenage years.
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School buses are built to get children to school safely – and they do their job very well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus than by car.
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Having a child with a food allergy or diabetes impacts nearly every aspect of life – including how he or she can participate in holidays and related celebrations. Festive autumnal celebrations nearly always include candy and treats, and it can be heartbreaking to tell a child with a food allergy that he or she can’t participate in the merriment of trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
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Emily will never forget one hectic day in 2018: It started with taking her younger sons to urgent care for a rash and an earache. It ended at Children's Health℠ Emergency Department with a life-changing diagnosis for her oldest son, Eli.
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Deborah found herself at a crossroads near the end of her pregnancy. She could stay at the hospital she knew so well with the obstetrician who delivered her other children or follow the pediatrician's advice and consider Children's Health.
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In November 2018, Sawyer was excited for her first soccer game back after a 12-week hiatus due to a jaw injury. She had been playing soccer since she was a young child and was thrilled to earn a starting position back after her injury.
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If you are a male who experiences sudden and severe pain in your belly, groin or testicle, Bruce Schlomer, M.D., Pediatric Urologist at Children's Health℠ and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, has an important message for you: "Don't try to tough it out!"
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It's never too early to be prepared when it comes to your young athlete's health. If a sports concussion occurs, it is vital to measure the function of the brain post-injury. Baseline testing while healthy can help health care professionals assess the effects of a concussion on an individual athlete and develop a plan for treatment.
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During summer or other times of year, many athletes will have a welcome break from regular season practice and competition. The off-season is the time of year that falls between post-season competition and pre-season training. This time offers athletes a unique opportunity to rest, recuperate and improve their overall athletic ability.
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Heart disease is a leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S. Approximately one in 200 of those individuals have an inherited form of heart disease – meaning that individuals who look healthy, eat healthy and get plenty of exercise can still be at risk of having a heart attack.
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When it’s a beautiful day, opening your windows for some fresh air might seem like a good idea. But, what you may not realize is that your children could be at risk for a serious injury when you open your windows.
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In the past, many people believed that there were only two types of diabetes: one that affected kids (type 1) and one that affected adults (type 2). As medical research progresses, doctors have discovered that children can have type 2 and other types of diabetes, too.
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Studies are finding that children are consuming too much sugar – and sugary drinks are a big part of the problem. In fact, one report says that children in the U.S. are consuming 17% of calories from added sugars, and half of those are from sugary beverages alone. This is well over dietary guidelines that less than 10% of calories should come from sugar.
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Gluten is a hot topic these days. Gluten-free diets are becoming more prevalent and you’ve probably noticed a rapid expansion of gluten-free foods in the grocery store. It’s only natural to wonder if this is something that you and your family should consider. Get answers to common questions about gluten-free diets to help make the right choice for your family.
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Lisa Jones and Karen Norris have a unique opportunity to witness the power of music firsthand. They bring smiles, laughter and hope to many children and families facing a medical diagnosis – and the challenges that a diagnosis might bring.
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For many students and their families, mornings are a race against the clock to get out the door and to school on time – and all too often, kids skip breakfast in the rush. However, research suggests that this habit can lead to decreased focus and learning and have a negative impact on school performance. Kids should eat breakfast every day. Learn what type of breakfast foods can boost your child's brain power.
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Social distancing and uncertainty in sports play and practice have created a unique opportunity for young athletes. While they may be unable to spend as much time running drills or lifting weights with teammates, each athlete can focus on a part of their performance that often gets overlooked – cognitive skills.
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Cleaning your hands – either with soap and water or by using hand sanitizer – may seem like a small action, but it’s one that can have a significant impact on your health.
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While drinking enough water may seem like a simple action, it impacts virtually every aspect of sports performance.
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Normally, the body breaks down sugar as a source of energy, through a process that requires insulin. If the body does not have enough sugar or insulin, it will break down fat instead to produce ketones, which can also be used for energy.
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These days, both parents and kids can feel pressure to participate in a variety of activities. The goal of having a well-rounded college application that includes sports, academics, volunteering and work often takes priority over free time and rest.
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It's important to acknowledge that pre-bolusing need not, and in fact should not be an "always or never" step.
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Self-love – or self-esteem – is a set of ideas, thoughts and emotions a person holds about themselves – it’s their perceived value and worth. When kids have a healthy level of self-love and self-esteem, it significantly impacts their ability to cope with adversity and bounce back from challenging situations, also known as resilience.
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You probably already know how important it is for your child to get enough sleep – but you may be surprised to learn that children who get more sleep actually have fewer risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. A study published by researchers at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that the longer children in the study slept, the lower their insulin, insulin resistance and glucose levels.
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If you want to help your child improve sports performance and prevent sports injuries, you might focus on the actions that occur during a game or workout. However, what happens before and after play has a significant impact on your young athlete's health too. An expert shares why warming up and cooling down is vital to keeping your child strong, healthy and in the game.
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Experts agree that reading to children can help with emotional and cognitive development. But equally important, it's a magical time that allows parents the chance to slow down from their busy day and enjoy quiet time with their little one. When parents take time to focus attention on their child, it is proven to provide long-lasting positive effects that support self-esteem and emotional and intellectual growth.
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In recent years, the ketogenic diet, or "keto," has risen in popularity as a weight loss method. However, this widespread version of the diet is very different from the medical diet that has long been used as a treatment for epilepsy.
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The holidays can bring an acute sense of hurtful emotions and anxiety for recently separated or divorced families. The tug-of-war over who will get the kids, combined with the frustrations of fluctuating schedules and loss of routine, can lead to an unhealthy environment for children and a potentially profound emotional impact on them later in life.
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Camilla weighed just 3 pounds when she was born prematurely in June 2015. She was immediately put on life support, and shortly after, had a stroke that affected the right side of her brain.
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When Casey speaks about her heart condition, it's easy to forget that she’s just a teenager. With bravery, poise and knowledge, she shares how she was born with a heart defect and how now, 15 years later, she's grateful to have received a heart transplant. Casey's mom, Bethany, always knew that a transplant would be the ultimate "fix" for her daughter's condition – she just never imagined it would happen this way.
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Jenna was 27 weeks pregnant with her son Lucas when she traveled to Alabama to visit her new nephew. She made the relatively short flight from North Texas without incident and was excited to spend time with their family's newest member.
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When babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), they may have special feeding and nutritional needs. Preemies often need extra support to grow and continue developing, and parents may have questions about breastfeeding, bottles or feeding schedules.
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Valentine's Day means fun parties and delicious treats at school. But it may not be a holiday to love for the estimated 5.6 million children with food allergies in the United States. That's one in every 13 children.
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Sharing new foods with your baby is an exciting milestone. Unfortunately, amongst the fun of watching your child experience new tastes remain questions and fears about food allergies. Recommendations of when to introduce certain foods seem to change often, and for many parents, it can be confusing to know what is best for your child at each age.
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Whether playing sports or playing a game of tag outside, daily physical activity keeps children healthy and happy. For children with asthma, however, exercise can make breathing more difficult and possibly trigger an asthma attack.
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A new school year means a change in the life of your child. Some changes may be more significant for children than for others – especially if they are moving to a new school.
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During football season, you may hear about an injury called turf toe. The term turf toe refers to a common injury among athletes. While turf toe is most common in football players, it also affects players of other sports such as basketball, wrestling and gymnastics.
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When a child or adolescent is diagnosed with cancer, it can affect every aspect of their well-being and every person in their life. Patients may feel scared and isolated. They often need to navigate challenges with self-esteem and body image related to weight changes, hair loss, and other things related to cancer treatment.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children should get one hour of exercise each day. "Exercise is at the forefront of physical health," says Performance Manager Josh Adams, M.S., C.S.C.S., Children's Health Andrews Institute Sports Performance powered by EXOS. "Exercise helps children strengthen growing muscles and bones and is part of a healthy lifestyle, combined with quality nutrition and adequate sleep."
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Standing up straight and tall not only helps your child appear more confident, it also helps relieve muscle strain, backaches and neck aches. Developing good posture as your child grows has long-term benefits that will pay off throughout their lifetime.
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All those sprints, laps and drills can take their toll on athletes, especially when the weather is hot. Athletes are at risk of dehydration if they don't get enough fluid. Fluids are needed to replace what is lost through the skin as sweat and through the lungs while breathing.
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Toddlers have a lot to learn. Just as they are mastering basic motor skills and early speech, they also need to start learning how to use the potty and sleep in a "big kid" bed. Below are tips on how you can successfully train your little one to use the potty and sleep in their own bed.
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Many parents look forward to breastfeeding their newborns – when all is going well, it can be a bonding experience. But for some babies, a condition called tongue-tie may affect their ability to nurse.
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Some adults may remember a tonsillectomy (the surgical removal of the tonsils) as a rite of passage in childhood. While a tonsillectomy is still one of the most common surgical procedures for children, they are performed less frequently than in the past.
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While there is no cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there are many treatments that can help your child. Therapies can help children with ASD gain better communication skills, reduce sensory issues and improve their overall ability to learn.
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On Saturday, April 29, 2017, a series of deadly tornadoes touched down east of Dallas, killing four people and injuring dozens more. Parents Emily and Phillip Ocheltree, of Wills Point, Texas, were driving to a storm shelter trying to get out of harm’s way when their truck hydroplaned off the road, flipped three times and landed upside down in rushing floodwaters.
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Many families of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) get anxious about traveling. But whether you are visiting the next town over or traveling to a different country, careful planning can help your trip go smoothly.
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If you're parenting one of the nearly 10,000 children in the U.S. who rely on kidney dialysis, you may be wondering if your family can safely travel. Whether your child uses hemodialysis, which requires a visit to a dialysis center, or peritoneal dialysis, which is done at home, it's possible to plan a trip while still keeping up with your child's dialysis schedule.
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As the weather gets warmer, it's not only kids who come out to play – all the creepy-crawlies do, too. With all sorts of bugs flying and crawling around playgrounds and your backyard, your child might be more at risk of a bug bite or sting during the warmer months.
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Babies and toddlers can get congested – a lot. As a parent, you might feel like you are constantly wiping a runny nose or trying to help clear a stuffy one.
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Three years ago, Trinity, a teen athlete, began experiencing symptoms of anemia.
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Maintaining good digestive health is important at every stage of life, but it is especially important for kids. Getting proper nutrition and eating a healthy diet are critical factors in ensuring your child grows and develops properly, according to Meghana Sathe, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Children’s Health and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern. Good digestive health helps set your child up for success by enabling him or her to gain weight, grow taller and reach physical and mental developmental milestones.
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You know too much screen time is not a good thing for your child. But what about when that screen time is used to build skills in math, science and reading? There are a wide variety of educational apps that can keep your child entertained while learning at the same time.
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Twins Cora and Farrah were born on March 15, 2017, in Tyler, Texas, at just 24 weeks. They each weighed less than 1.5 pounds and faced significant challenges.
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Macee and Madi are identical twins who not only share a birthday but also the same disease - cystic fibrosis (CF). Despite the daily routine of breathing treatments, chest therapy and medications, the teenagers do not let CF slow them down.
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A 10-year-old football fan from Lake Dallas and a 5-year-old farm boy from Oklahoma have matching scars and are the best of friends. "The boys relate to each other on a different level," says Shanna, Payton's mom.
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UTIs in children are very common and very treatable. To prevent complications, it's best to call your child's doctor to get treatment as soon as you notice symptoms. What are the symptoms of UTI in children? Urethra infection and bladder infection are the most common forms of UTI in children, but these infections can also affect the ureters and kidneys. If your child has a UTI, you may notice:
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We've all heard it and at some point, may have experienced it first-hand – words matter. Pronouns, a handful of words that typically roll off the tongue without a second thought, also count. For transgender and nonbinary people, these small words can carry great weight.
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When your child is diagnosed with autism, it can change or challenge the vision you have for their life. But remember: Your kid is the same kid they were before they received a diagnosis.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7% of children have diagnosed anxiety. Additionally, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 1 in 3 of adolescents aged 13-18 have an anxiety disorder. When left untreated, anxiety disorders can lead to poor school performance or socialization, loss of sleep and even eventual substance abuse.
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Are antibiotics safe for children? Learn about the common types of antibiotics for children and their uses from Children's Health.
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If you child forgets their homework, can't stay on task, has trouble being flexible to new plans, or acts impulsively, they may be facing challenges with executive functions.
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Reflux is the movement of the contents of the stomach all the way back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and stomach. In some cases, the contents come out through the mouth or, more rarely, through the nose.
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Celiac disease is a serious condition that affects about 1 in 133 people, approximately 1% of the population. And more than 2 million people are undiagnosed – putting them at risk of future complications.
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Maintaining healthy blood pressure is important for heart and cardiovascular health. But high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – can affect kidney function as well.
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It was a normal Saturday morning for Prem and Sangita in 2010. Their son, Arnav, was 15 months old, and the young family was looking forward to a weekend together. Prem, however, woke up feeling a little off. He was restless and felt a slight pain in his left shoulder. Figuring it was just acid reflux, Prem assured Sangita not to worry. But as he stepped into the living room, Prem started sweating – and then, he passed out. He was having a heart attack.
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Vaccines protect children from getting sick from many crippling or deadly illnesses. Thanks to decades of immunization, diseases like measles and polio are mostly a thing of the past in the U.S. "Despite what you may have heard, vaccines are quite safe for children," says Jeffrey Kahn, M.D., Director of Infectious Disease at Children's. "In fact, the risks to your child from catching the diseases vaccines prevent far outweigh any threat posed by the vaccines themselves."
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Over the past decade, vaping has skyrocketed in popularity, especially among high school students. Vaping, the act of inhaling vapor through an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), often acts as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Liquids for e-cigarettes are available in many flavors such as mint, mango and creme brulee, which may boost its appeal for teens.
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It's not a surprise for most parents that video games can affect their child's behavior and emotions. However, parents may be surprised to learn that the World Health Organization (WHO) now classifies 'gaming disorder' as a mental health condition.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of walking pneumonia cases among children of all ages has been significantly rising since the start of the 2024-25 school year.
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Asthma attacks are scary – especially for children and their parents. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 in 12 children in the U.S. has asthma and 1 in 2 children with asthma have an asthma attack each year.
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As a parent, your phone and camera are probably full of hundreds of photos of your child smiling, sleeping, drooling and laughing. Every one of these photos is just a little piece of history, and proof for the future that your child was once tiny and babbling.
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Watson was born at just 25 weeks. At 11 ounces, she was the smallest preemie ever born at a local Dallas hospital. After six long months in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), she was finally able to go home.
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In many viewpoints, 11 to 12 years of age is the point at which middle childhood ends and the preteens begin. With no true guideline, it's easy to understand why this can be a particularly awkward stage. Your 11- or 12-year-old is advancing ever closer to the teen stage, but may still be somewhat dependent on you.
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You now have a teenager or, at the very least, a young person on the cusp. At ages 13 and 14, youngsters are definitely developing an ever-increasing sense of self. That's great, but it can also offer a lot of challenges for both you and your 13- or 14-year-old.
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At 15 and 16 years of age, you and your "child" are firmly ensconced in the teenage years – and it can come with some challenges. It's more and more important for your teen to establish a solid sense of independence, but you may find it hard to let go.
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Your child has almost reached the end of the teenage years: 17 to 18 years old. At this point you've done your best to make sure he/she’s ready to move on to his/her adult responsibilities.
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Peanuts are one of the most common food allergens, and one that can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate treatment. From 1997 to 2008, the number of children with a peanut or tree nut allergy more than tripled – leaving many parents searching and hopeful for new ways to treat this potentially dangerous food allergy.
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Around the time that participation in team sports begins, and especially during the middle and high school years, many young athletes start to wonder if they should start lifting weights.
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If your child is being bullied at school, he or she might be hesitant to share that information with you. In this video, Celia Heppner, Psy.D., clinical psychologist at Children's Health, shares signs to look for if you suspect your child is being bullied or teased.
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If your child complains of chest pain, you may feel alarmed or concerned about your child's heart. But according to Colin Kane, M.D., pediatric cardiologist at Children's Health and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, there are many possible causes of chest pain in children.
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A cancer diagnosis in a child is frightening. Parents may have dozens of questions about their child's health, treatment and future, including – how did my child get cancer?
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Headaches in children of all ages may be more common than you think. Approximately 40% of children experience headaches by age 7 and 75% of children will experience a headache by age 15.
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Just like adults, babies’ and kids’ poop can vary. Factors such as diet and underlying health conditions can affect poop color, consistency and frequency.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert that infections from the fungus Candida auris are increasing. Researchers have determined that the fungus has existed in Asia since the mid-1990s and has since spread worldwide.
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A febrile seizure is a seizure triggered by fever. It is the most common type of seizure in infants and young children, occurring in about 2-5% of children under the age of 5. A febrile seizure is not considered a form of epilepsy, but if a child has a febrile seizure, it’s important to work with a physician to determine the cause of fever and rule out any other conditions.
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Your child's heart rate (also called pulse) can vary throughout the day. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats each minute. Daily activities can change how fast or slow the heart beats – from a slow, steady beat while resting or sleeping to a higher rate during exercise.
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If your child frequently complains of unexplained stomach pain and nausea lasting a few hours to a few days, abdominal migraines may be the culprit.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that impacts a child's development. This disorder can cause communication problems, social challenges, difficult behaviors or intellectual disability.
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Bumps, bruises, cuts and scrapes are part of growing up for kids. But if you have a child with hemophilia, treating those minor injuries might be more complicated.
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Children born with congenital heart disease often need multiple tests and procedures, including X-ray-dependent cardiac catheterization. While these procedures can be helpful in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, they can also cause overexposure to radiation, especially in patients who will need multiple procedures over their lifetime — which can be harmful to your child's health.
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Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in children. It isn't caused by what your child eats or other lifestyle decisions, and children have no control over whether they develop the condition or not. But while type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet, certain foods affect blood sugar in different ways, and it's important to be mindful of what you eat.
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What your child drinks plays a key role in their health, and today, parents seem to have more choices than ever. Milk sections in grocery stores have expanded to offer an increasing number of options including many dairy alternatives. While this can be helpful to families with food allergies or intolerances, it can also make it challenging to know what's the best milk for your child.
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While both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may cause similar gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, these two conditions are very different.
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Bird flu primarily infects birds like chickens, ducks and turkeys. But in April 2024, there were reports of a human dairy worker who had become infected with bird flu, as well as traces of bird flu found in cows being raised for food. While these reports have sparked concerns, experts say there is no cause for alarm.
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With news of a global monkeypox outbreak, parents may be nervous about another unusual virus spreading around the world.
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The availability of fake prescription pills is on the rise in the U.S. In 2021 alone, drug enforcement agents have seized more than 9.5 million counterfeit pills, more than the last two years combined.
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With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), researchers have been dedicated to learning more about how this new virus spreads, symptoms and possible ways to treat illness. Early data suggest that symptoms of COVID-19 are often respiratory and that children are not at increased risk for severe illness. However, new concerns are being raised about an unusual inflammatory response in children that may be related to coronavirus.
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As viruses spread, they constantly change. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged and spread around the world. Recently, you may have heard a lot about the "Delta" variant, which is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that infects roughly eight in 10 people during their lifetime. While most infections go away on their own, they can sometimes cause serious health problems, including cancer.
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Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body that are important for bone development and strength.
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From cricket powder to fermented foods, the internet is filled with new ideas of how to improve gut health. According to Meghana Sathe, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children's Health and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, a balanced diet is the most effective way to promote the health of a child's digestive system.
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Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is a rare condition that occurs in about one out of every 2,000 people. It is a relatively new disease, and one that can cause significant GI symptoms.
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According to the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), ongoing and active medication shortages are the highest they’ve been since 2014. If your child has recently had the flu or a cold, you may have experienced a medication shortage first-hand. as fever-reducing medication has become harder to find.
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As COVID‑19 continues to spread, it's important to take precautions to reduce your family's risk of infection. The best way to keep your family safe is by taking preventive measures such as getting the COVID-19 vaccine if eligible, wearing a mask (if over age 2) and regularly washing hands.
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Children – particularly babies, toddlers and preschoolers – are curious by nature. They want to touch, smell and – yes, taste – everything they can get their hands on. That curiosity can lead to dangerous situations when they accidentally swallow something not meant to be eaten.
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Just when you thought your child was completely potty-trained, your child is now having accidents again – during the day. Could this daytime wetting be intentional? Is something wrong?
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When your child has a fever, it is a sign that their immune system is fighting off an infection. "The vast majority of infectious diseases that are associated with a high fever are caused by a virus, and are usually accompanied by coughing, congestion, vomiting or diarrhea," says LeAnn Kridelbaugh, M.D., President of Children's Health℠ Pediatric Group. "Fever can also coincide with an ear infection or strep throat as well as less common infections like pneumonia."
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The stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is not to be confused with the flu caused by the influenza virus. The stomach flu is caused by viruses, such as norovirus and rotavirus, that irritate and infect the digestive system. It can be a common illness among kids, who may not be as good at washing their hands as adults and spend more time touching the same objects as other kids.
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The food an athlete eats can make all the difference when it comes to game day performance.
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Every year, student athletes across Texas are required to get their annual sports physical or pre-participation physical exam before sports season starts again. Sports physicals take a short amount of time, are typically low-cost and give you peace of mind that your child can safely compete.
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Reports about new strains of the virus that causes COVID‑19 may have you worried or asking questions. What do these variants mean for the pandemic? Are they more dangerous? How can I keep my family healthy?
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Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma. For many of these patients, finding a marrow donor who is a match is their chance for a cure. However, only about 2% of the U.S. population is currently registered to be a donor.
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Measles is a viral infection that can cause a red, blotchy rash, fever, cough and a runny nose. This highly contagious condition can also lead to serious and even life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Because measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, most children are now protected from contracting the virus.
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When a child’s throat is sore, families often wonder — could it be strep throat? This bacterial infection is common in children and needs treatment to avoid complications.
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At one time, type 2 diabetes was known as adult-onset diabetes and the disease was rarely associated with children. But according to recent studies, the number of children and teens diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is on the rise. The culprit? Another condition also on the rise in children: obesity.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives in 2020, wearing masks and social distancing became the norm. And while these measures played an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they also helped limit the spread of other germs and viruses, including the flu.
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Although AFM is a rare condition, it is a serious one. The condition affects the nervous system but preferentially impacts the spinal cord. It causes muscles and reflexes to become very weak and sometimes entire limbs to stop functioning.
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There are many reasons children develop a cough, and it can be difficult for parents to determine what is causing the cough and when to see the pediatrician.
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Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is important for everyone – especially for a growing child. But what does a healthy, well-balanced meal consist of and how can parents help their children choose nutritious foods?
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It’s such a joyful moment when your baby speaks that first precious word.
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Ear tubes are one of the most common surgeries young children undergo. Around 500,000 children of all ages receive ear tubes every year to help fight ear infections as their ears grow and mature.
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The shape of a newborn’s head is often a topic of discussion when a new member of the family arrives. Sometimes the head is a little pointed; sometimes it’s a little flat in a spot or two. This is usually nothing more than the normal effects of being born, according to Christopher Derderian, M.D., pediatric plastic surgeon at Children’s Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern.
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As your teen enters high school, gets a driver's license and passes other teenage milestones, you might ask yourself: When is the right time to allow my child to date? Parents often worry about their child's first relationship or their child entering the world of dating, but romantic teen relationships occur. An expert shares advice to help prepare you and your child for dating and forming healthy relationships.
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No family wants to be debating whether they should take their child to the emergency room (ER) for a mental health crisis. However, many children and teens experience challenges with mental health, and families may not know what to do or where to get the right care.
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From a countertop at just the right height to a fall on the playground, there are all kinds of ways children can take a bump to the head. Goose eggs, bruises and complaints of a headache can leave you wondering if that bump on the head is worthy of a call to the doctor.
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When your child struggles in school, it can be difficult for you as a parent to understand why. Are they having trouble paying attention? Are they missing important skills? Do they just need more sleep?
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In the past, your child could go to school, even if their nose was stuffed or runny. But as we continue to live in a world with COVID-19, you might be wondering – is it really a cold? Is it safe for my child to go to school? What if they test positive for COVID-19?
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Between colds, coughs and stomach bugs, kids get sick frequently. When symptoms like a runny nose or stomach pain hit, it may be hard to decide when you should keep your child home from daycare or school.
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Eventually, your once teeny tiny child will outgrow their car seat. But that doesn't mean they are ready to travel in a car like an adult with only a seat belt. A booster seat helps the seatbelt fit your child properly and keeps them safe in case of a car crash. In fact, children are 60% safer in a booster seat as opposed to a seat belt alone.
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If your child is sick or hurt, it is important to seek the right level of care to meet their needs. Depending on their condition, you may need to take your child to an emergency room or urgent care facility. Other times, you may be able to treat them at home or even opt to see a provider through virtual visit. But as a parent, how do you know which is best? We're here to help you make the correct choice.
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Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), children with disabilities can receive extra support in public schools. This includes children with learning, intellectual or physical disabilities. By law, your child’s school must create, with you, a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that outlines different types of support your child will need in school. These are called accommodations and modifications.
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Every parent wants to keep his or her child safe. For many parents of athletes, it's not just sprains and strains that cause anxiety; it's the possibility of an undiscovered heart condition.
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Pertussis is a highly contagious illness of the respiratory mucous membrane. It’s marked by a series of short, violent coughs sometimes followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like whoop. A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes this infectious disease. The bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line the upper respiratory system. Bordetella pertussis toxins (poisons) damage the cilia and cause airways to swell.
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When you're watching a football game, certain members of the team may be in the spotlight more than others: the quarterback, the running back - or even the coach. In reality, we know that all players are critical to a team's success.
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When your baby is tired as can be but still can't manage to nod off, they may cry or fight sleep for hours on end. It can be incredibly worrisome and frustrating for a parent.
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Over 2.4 million children around the world will participate in youth baseball leagues each year, and at some point, many of those participants will pitch. Most leagues have a "pitch count" rule, so that each player is individually monitored. Jeff Baggett, certified athletic trainer and outreach program manager at Children's Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, says that these rules are in place not necessarily to create fair play – but to protect the safety of our young athletes.
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At the beginning of a child's cancer care, there is one treatment goal: survivorship. The majority of children with cancer will reach this goal. "Approximately 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive and grow up to adulthood," says Tanya Watt, M.D., pediatric oncologist at Children’s Health. "These rates are significantly better than the adult world."
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On average, children suffer from six to eight colds every year. These illnesses, caused by viruses, spread when germs get on toys, doorknobs or other surfaces from dirty hands, coughs or sneezes. Frequent handwashing, avoiding people who are sick, and coughing properly into your sleeve can help prevent the spread of colds. However, children are still likely to get sick because their immune system isn't as well developed as adults' systems.
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Fainting, also known as syncope, occurs when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure, or heart rate, that results in brief loss of consciousness. It is more common than many realize, affecting up to 30% of children, particularly adolescents. It is more than twice as common in females than in males.
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Athletes who excel on the court or on the field can make highlight-worthy plays look easy. But performing well at game time requires a lot of work behind the scenes.
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Each winter you might notice a dip in your child's mood and a change in their behavior, and then witness them return to being themselves again once springtime hits. You might even experience these seasonal changes yourself.
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When you find hives on your child, you may worry about their cause. Does your child have a serious allergy to a certain food or chemical? Is he or she on the verge of a viral infection? These reddish or pinkish raised bumps, sometimes with a white center, can have a variety of – mostly mild – causes, from allergies and illnesses to stress and weather. They are often very itchy.
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Gut health is the latest health trend filling news feeds and showing up on food labels and supplement bottles. If you're a parent focused on keeping your child healthy, you may be wondering if gut health, microbiome, bacteria and probiotics are just buzzwords part of a passing fad, or something you need to investigate.
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Sleep is vital for everyone’s brain health - but especially for growing and developing kids. Without enough sleep, certain brain functions may not work as effectively as they otherwise could.
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Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a viral infection that affects the lungs, mouth and throat. It isn't the same as a stomach "flu," which is the result of viruses in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Moms who pump know the saying "There's no use crying over spilled milk" doesn't apply to breast milk. In fact, moms do everything they can to protect their breast milk which provides important vitamins, nutrients and immunity for their little one.
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Infographic: Your Kids, Obesity and Heart Health
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At 13 years old, Zeke's life has already been full of adventure. He spent most of his early years living in a remote mountain village in Papua New Guinea as the child of missionaries. He enjoyed an active childhood, running through fields and mountain trails with his siblings and friends and playing sports, like football.
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First discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda, Africa, the Zika virus more recently became a concern in other parts of the world including South and Central America, the U.S. and even locally here in Texas.
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Her daughter, Zoe, had been dealing with a bout of what her gastroenterologist diagnosed as traveler’s diarrhea for about two months and wasn’t getting better, despite trying multiple antibiotics to treat it. The doctor assured Linda that it just took time for it to run its course, but her mother’s intuition told her that something wasn’t quite right. Linda finally decided enough was enough, and on February 14, she headed to the Emergency Department at Children’s Medical Center Plano for answers.