Children

It is not unusual for children to be picky eaters, and many grow out of this behavior. However, some children demonstrate more severe picky eating habits, such as limiting their diet to only certain textures or showing deep concern for the possible harmful effects of eating. When these individuals stop growing, they need medical attention.

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. While melatonin is safe in the short term for most adults, many wonder whether they can give melatonin to babies and children who are having trouble sleeping. Although the body produces its own melatonin, taking melatonin supplements can help provide short-term treatment of insomnia

An infant’s poop changes color and consistency during their first few days, weeks, and months of life, and a wide range of colors is normal. Below, learn to recognize unhealthy baby poop and what changes to expect as a baby grows. In infants, age, diet, and health are the main reasons for changes in stool

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that orthodontists use to help correct overcrowded or crooked teeth. Braces can also help correct an overbite. People who are getting braces soon or are considering them may wonder

Constipation is uncommon in infancy, particularly in breastfed babies, but it can happen. Breastfed babies tend to have fewer episodes of constipation and diarrhea than formula-fed babies because breast milk is easier than formula to digest. In older children, constipation is common and accounts for about 3% of visits to pediatric outpatient clinics and up

Newborn babies breathe faster than older children and adults. A newborn may breathe more slowly when they sleep, but their respiratory rate should always fall within a healthy range. Very fast or slow breathing may signal an infection or another condition. Labored breathing, or respiratory distress, is a serious issue that affects around 7% of

Toddlers can experience numerous colds each year before they start school. However, influenza, or flu, can take these aches and pains to a higher, and potentially much more serious level. It is common for very young children to experience illness many times each year due to their developing immune systems and a tendency to put

Pink eye, which doctors call conjunctivitis, is inflammation and redness in the conjunctiva of the eye. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that lines the front of the eye and eyelids. Pink eye is more common among toddlers and young children, who may rub their eyes and transmit infections to other children at preschool, daycare,

A new paper suggests that certain traditional soup broths may contain active ingredients that could help fight off malaria. Share on PinterestNew research identifies several traditional broths with antimalarial activity. The research appears in the BMJ journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, and professor Jake Baum, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College

A new blood test could save lives in the treatment of sepsis. It assesses five markers in the blood to predict who is at low, medium, and high risk of death. With this knowledge, doctors could start treating the serious condition much earlier and with more precision. Share on PinterestNew research details how a blood

Many adults expect to lose some hair as they age, but hair loss in children can cause alarm, especially when they become upset about bald spots or thin hair. However, hair loss in children is relatively common. Hair loss in children may have different patterns to adult hair loss. For example, androgenetic alopecia, or pattern

Fever occurs when a person’s body temperature rises above the normal range. Although fevers tend to be harmless, they can cause great discomfort. A very high or persistent fever sometimes requires medical attention, though most fevers only require treatment with home remedies. Infection is the most common cause of fever. In fact, developing a fever

Teen depression is more than just sadness, moodiness, or a hormone-induced adolescent rite of passage. Depression is a serious illness that can affect a teen’s physical health, relationships, ability to succeed in school, and sense of self-worth. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for teens in the United States in 2017, and depression

Nocturnal seizures are seizures that happen while a person is asleep. They can cause unusual nighttime behavior, such as waking for no reason or urinating while sleeping, as well as jerking and shaking of the body. Nocturnal seizures are usually a type of seizure called a tonic-clonic seizure. Most people with nighttime seizures of this

Ataxia means the loss of coordination of body movements. Acute cerebellar ataxia is a disorder in children that causes a sudden loss of coordination. It is relatively prevalent in children, especially following an infection or serious illness. Most cases resolve without specific treatment. Acute cerebellar ataxia is the most common cause of childhood ataxia. Read

An accidental discovery in mice may lead to a cure for one of the world’s most deadly infections. Share on PinterestResearchers have identified a bacterial species in the gut microbiota that protects against highly contagious rotavirus (pictured). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that each year, 215,000 children worldwide under the age of 5 years

Scientists have highlighted a possible link between infection with rotavirus and an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Undergoing vaccination against the pathogen may be an effective way to prevent the condition. Could a routine childhood vaccination reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The exact reason

Milia are small bumps made up of keratin trapped under the skin. One lesion is called a milium. They can appear anywhere but tend to develop around or under the eyes. Milia frequently occur in newborn babies, though they also occur in children and adults. It can be easy to mistake milia for acne spots

Bronchiolitis is a lung infection that mostly occurs in infants in the autumn and winter months, although adults may also develop it. This infection, which affects the lower airways, can be severe and often requires medical attention. Doctors often diagnose bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age. Experts estimate that during a baby’s first

When a healthy baby has a low temperature, it may not signal a problem. However, very low temperatures may indicate or cause a serious health problem. The average healthy body temperature is 98.6°F. Shifts in a baby’s activity level or environment can affect their temperature, while different methods of taking a temperature can give slightly

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Rashes are one of the most common skin problems for adults, children, and babies. Rashes have a variety of causes, including allergies, infections, and certain other diseases. Infectious rashes may be due to bacteria, fungi, or

Is today’s adult obesity epidemic the result of children in the 1970s and 1980s consuming excessive amounts of sugar? New research uses a mathematical model to find the answer. A study might have found the cause of today’s high adult obesity rates. In recent years, obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed. To be

Chickenpox can cause a range of symptoms in babies, including an itchy rash and changes in sleeping habits. The symptoms may be more severe than those in older children or adults because the immune system in babies is still developing. Although chickenpox often clears up on its own, it can cause serious symptoms in babies,

The average weight of a 13-year-old can vary, depending on a number of factors. Puberty, for example, can significantly affect a child’s weight and appearance, and the timing of these changes is different for boys and girls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have set guidelines for healthy weight and body mass index

Stuttering is a speech disorder. People who stutter may repeat sounds, syllables, or words, or they may prolong sounds. There may also be interruptions to the normal flow of speech, known as blocks, along with unusual expressions or movements. Stuttering affects more than 70 million people worldwide, including more than 3 million people in the

Group B streptococcus, or group B strep, is a common type of bacteria that lives in some adults and children. It is not usually dangerous, but infection with this bacteria may be more serious in babies. If a pregnant woman carries group B strep, the bacteria can sometimes pass to a baby during delivery, which

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus, digestive fluids, and sweat. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) usually receive a diagnosis in early childhood. More than 30,000 children and young adults in the United States are currently living with the condition. CF can cause various complications, including chronic lung infections,

New research examines the link between maternal consumption of fluoridated water and lower IQs in their children. New research explores the possible developmental effects of fluoridated tap water. According to recent estimates, 66% of all United States residents receive fluoridated water through their taps. Adding fluoride to drinking water has been a public health practice