There are two sides to the language coin: comprehension and speech. The two develop in tandem, but receptive language leads the way at each stage. Receptive language begins to develop even before birth.
Newborn acne is usually quite mild. Because newborn acne is very common, when people see pimples on a baby they usually reassure the parents that they will disappear soon on their own. But for some children, this is not true. Click here to read...
Trichorrhexis (pronounced trick-o reck sis) is not a word you are likely to hear tossed around in casual conversation. It comes from two old Greek words: trichos -- meaning hair, and rhexis -- meaning fracture. People with trichorrhexis have hair...
The soft spot on a baby's skull seems so vulnerable. Some parents never touch their babies’ soft spots out of fear they might accidently harm their babies. Click here to read more about soft spots.
When children are examined and treated, they deserve equipment and personnel that are appropriate to them. Many clinics and emergency departments are not equipped with the proper sizes of tools. Click here to read more.
Treatment of stuttering is more effective the earlier it is begun. By needlessly delaying evaluation, parents can miss an important window of time when their child's stuttering is most treatable. Click here for more information.
There have been advances not only in the management of infection with HIV itself, but also in dealing with the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS. Doctors have gotten better at recognizing when treatment of infections is warranted, and...
Many parents share the concern that their children's feet don't line up straight. The most common cause of in-toeing in toddlers is internal tibial torsion (the large bone in the calf is rotated inward). Tibial torsion is a result of normal...
As many as 500 different species of bacteria form a society in the intestines, in a delicate balance with each other and with their 'earth' - us. We are outnumbered in our own bodies! Click here to read more about the beneficial bacteria found in...
Somewhere between 85% and 99% of children have finished thumb sucking spontaneously before they begin elementary school. Which ones continue the habit? Those with a prolonged history of a strong battle with parents over thumb sucking at an earlier...
From the 1930's through the 1960's, tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies were considered routine surgeries. At that time, the tonsils and adenoids were thought to be useless organs, because their function was not understood, and because they often...
Once a baby arrives, changing diapers is a practical way to express love. In the meantime, NOT changing the kitty litter is another way you can love your baby.
Play is your child's job. Toys are powerful tools. Nevertheless, don't be lulled into the misconception that more is better. More toys, more lights, more sounds, and more money do not make for a happier or healthier child. To find clues as to the...
Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC), is a condition in which new red blood cells stop appearing. The children with TEC are otherwise well, so at first nothing appears to be wrong. Each day, though, they lose about 1% of their red blood...
Children can enter the D3 cycle at any point. Sometimes it begins with an uncomfortable experience passing a hard stool created by a change in diet or a brief illness. Sometimes the starting point is simply the fear of sitting over the gaping hole...
Infants are hardwired to need and enjoy sucking as a separate experience from feeding. In some infants this need is more pronounced than in others. Click here to read more.
Vacation?! Yes! But not in the adult sense of the word. Not a time for relaxation and pampering. Not a time to look forward to and back on as a break from work. No, a vacation with kids is a whole different experience.
Hives occur when the body's capillaries and tiny veins get leaky. Fluid escaping from some of these blood vessels gets trapped in parts of the skin and lining membranes of the body, causing the localized swelling in the hives. Click here for more...
In healthy infants, the skin cells on their scalp are growing faster than they fall off, leaving a layer of extra, somewhat crusty skin. If it isn't bothering baby (sometimes it itches) you don't need to do anything about it. Click here for more...
Many people think of passive smoke exposure as a minor issue, and that those who are concerned are being a little extreme. The truth is that the inhalation of secondhand smoke is a major health concern.
Rashes are impossible to accurately diagnose without examining them. When a rash is accompanied by a fever and lasts more than a brief time, it is wisest for the child to be seen by a doctor. Click here to read more about mystery rashes.
Ear infections are most common in winter or early spring, and the highest incidence is in children under 2 years old. In the United States, there are over 25 million visits to pediatricians each year related to ear infections, making it the most...
It was once popular to start solids according to a rigid timeline of set serving sizes at certain intervals, but we now know that each baby develops uniquely. Click here to read more about the right time to start solids.
Boys with difficult behavior often have an undiagnosed, unsuspected condition that lies at the root of their behavioral or physical problems. Some boys have 2 Y chromosomes -- an extra helping of maleness. Click here for more information about XYY...
