Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the human head and feed on blood from the scalp. They are common in children and spread as a result of head-to-head human contact,…
Autism is a spectrum disorder that causes social and behavioral problems. There are three different levels of autism, which range from mild to severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and…
Researchers have recently examined the link between mental health conditions and obesity in over 12,000 children and teenagers. The results show that obesity raises the risk of anxiety and depression, which is…
It is relatively common for newborns and older babies to have some dry skin on their faces. In most cases this dry skin is harmless, and it tends to clear up without…
Piaget’s stages are a theory of how a child’s cognition — meaning their knowledge and understanding about the world — develops between birth and adulthood. Jean Piaget was an early psychologist who…
New research looks to the gut microbiome to try to address some of the symptoms associated with autism, but this investigation comes with its own set of problems. New research looks at…
Ritalin and Adderall can help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Doctors also sometimes prescribe these medications to people with narcolepsy. Ritalin and Adderall are the brand names for two different…
Tamiflu is a prescription medicine for the treatment of influenza, or flu, in children and adults. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Tamiflu in 1999. In 2009, governments…
Researchers have found that the dust in our households may harbor numerous chemicals that may accelerate the development of fat cells, potentially contributing to obesity. The dust in your house may contain…
Meningitis causes a characteristic rash on the skin. Learning to spot the signs and distinguish a meningitis rash from similar rashes can help a person receive treatment quickly. Meningitis is an infectious…
Most newborn babies follow a predictable level of growth during their first year. People can track the length of their baby using average growth charts. The average length of a full-term newborn…
Gas is simply air in the stomach or intestines, but for some babies, it seems to be very painful. When a baby has gas, tiny bubbles develop in their stomach or intestines,…
A heat rash can appear suddenly and look alarming, but it is not usually a cause for concern. Babies have delicate skin and are more likely to get heat rash than adults….
Fever in babies is a common concern among caregivers, though a fever itself is not dangerous. A fever means that a baby’s body is fighting off an infection. When is fever a…
There are many different causes of ear drainage. The most common type of drainage from the ear is earwax, which keeps the ear clean and healthy. Other types of drainage and discharge…
Pulmonary aspiration is the medical term for a person accidentally inhaling an object or fluid into their windpipe and lungs. This can lead to coughing, difficulty breathing, discomfort, and sometimes choking. Most…
New research from Aarhus University in Denmark suggests that people who have grown up in close contact with nature are much less likely to develop mental health problems in adulthood than peers…
Ringworm is a type of rash that looks like a pink or red worm has curled up just under the skin. However, ringworm is not actually a worm at all. It is…
Babies often go a long time between bowel movements. Most of the time, it is normal for a baby to go days or even more than a week without a bowel movement….
Nosebleeds are common in children but are usually short-lived and rarely a cause for concern. Persistent, recurring, or very heavy bleeding may, however, require medical attention. Doctors refer to nosebleeds as epistaxis….
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious condition. This infection is most common in infants, but people of all ages can contract it. Whooping cough symptoms tend to be less severe…
Enlarged adenoids are common in children. The adenoids can become enlarged due to an infection or may be enlarged from birth. The adenoids are glands that sit behind the nose above the…
New research finds that children living in homes with vinyl flooring or sofas that contain flame retardants have traces of potentially harmful toxins in their urine or blood. New research suggests that…
Wheezing, coughing, and breathing fast are some of the signs that a baby with asthma may display. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes airway inflammation and sensitivity to irritants that most…
People often wonder if a fetus can hear while in the womb. Many expectant parents will speak to or play music for a developing fetus. Evidence suggests that the auditory system starts…
Asthma is a lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Common symptoms include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Symptoms can vary from…
Respiratory rates change based on many health and activity factors. Normal respiratory rates also differ in adults and children. The respiratory rate is the number of breaths someone takes every minute and…
A convulsion is a general term that people use to describe uncontrollable muscle contractions. Some people may use it interchangeably with the word “seizure,” although a seizure refers to an electrical disturbance…
When a baby begins crying in their sleep, caregivers may worry that something is wrong. However, in most cases, for babies, crying while asleep is a phase rather than a sign of…
To produce milk, the body requires extra calories. Certain foods and drinks may also influence the amount of milk that a woman produces. Read on to discover some of the best foods…