Blog

What is croup? Croup is a common childhood infection marked by labored breathing and hoarse coughing. It’s most likely to show up in toddlers, but it can occur at any age. Croup usually begins as a respiratory infection, and a child may have a runny n…

Anyone can make mistakes taking medication, but kids are especially vulnerable. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, half of all kids don’t take their medicines properly. Of course, no one should expect a 6-year-old to read and follow the …

Consider the standards used to diagnose oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and you may think they could describe any kid on a bad day — and almost any teenager almost every day: They argue with adults, deliberately annoy people, defy rules, and hav…

What are mumps?Caused by a virus that infects the salivary glands near the jawbone, mumps is a highly contagious illness that shows up mainly in swelling and soreness in the jaw area. The swelling is usually on both sides, so that the sufferer bears a…

If you’re preparing for an international adoption, you’re probably knee-deep in paperwork, waiting to be matched, or scheduling a flight for China, Russia, India, or another country to meet your new son or daughter for the first time. With all the exc…

What can I do to comfort my child during medical procedures or hospital stays? Even though the typical pediatrician’s office comes fully equipped with clowns on the wall and a dozen issues of Highlights magazine in the waiting room, your child will st…

What causes allergies?Every human body carries an arsenal of chemicals to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other intruders, but sometimes these weapons backfire. If your child has allergies, she responds to things in the environment that are not invad…