Children

The main factor that influences a person’s height is their genetic makeup. However, many other factors can influence height during development, including nutrition, hormones, activity levels, and medical conditions. Scientists believe that genetic makeup, or DNA, is responsible for about 80% of a person’s height. This means, for instance, that tall people tend to have

Aicardi syndrome is a very rare condition that usually affects girls. Depending on its severity, it can cause developmental delay, epilepsy, problems with vision, and a shortened life expectancy. In this article, learn more about Aicardi syndrome, including its risk factors, symptoms, and treatments. Aicardi syndrome is a rare condition that almost exclusively affects females,

New research introduces an innovative hearing test that may help people who are unable to respond, such as babies or people who have had a stroke. The new test relies on measuring the dilation of an individual’s pupils. Share on PinterestMeasuring the dilation of a person’s pupil may indicate whether they can hear or not.

The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, refers to an involuntary motor response that infants develop shortly after birth. A Moro reflex may involve the infant suddenly splaying their arms and moving their legs before bringing their arms in front of their body. Doctors often check for the Moro reflex during the first few postdelivery examinations.

Meningococcemia is a severe form of blood poisoning that affects the entire body. It is also called meningococcal septicemia. The hallmark sign of meningococcemia is a rash that does not fade under pressure. The rash can appear anywhere on the body due to damaged blood vessels allowing blood to “leak” into the skin. Meningococcemia can

The tonsils are two small lymph nodes located either side of the back of the throat. As with other lymph nodes, they form part of the immune system. Their job is to keep viruses and bacteria from making their way into the body through the nose and mouth. Sometimes, however, viruses and bacteria manage to

The common cold usually has several recognizable stages. Knowing these stages can help a person determine whether or not they have a cold. Being able to recognize the stage of the cold can also help people know how best to treat the symptoms during each stage, and how long to expect a cold to last

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Many organizations recommend that a child only travel in the front seat of a vehicle from the age of 13. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that all children under the age of 13 sit

Everyone goes through puberty slightly differently, but there are puberty stages that usually happen at certain ages in a young person’s development. In this article, we look at the stages of puberty for males and females, and the ways that parents and caregivers can help to support kids through this time. Share on PinterestPeople’s experience

Epilepsy is relatively common in children. Many children with epilepsy will outgrow the condition before their teens, and, if not, treatments usually ensure a full and healthy life. In this article, we look at the signs and symptoms of epilepsy in childhood, plus the different types of seizures and syndromes. We also discuss the treatment

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Reusable diapers are those that people can wash or send to a diaper service for a clean replacement. Parents and caregivers may choose reusable diapers for many reasons, including concerns about waste, a desire to avoid

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes an itchy, flaky rash to develop on the scalp, face, or other parts of the body. Many people call it dandruff. Rarely, a person can experience temporary hair loss with seborrheic dermatitis. In this article, find out more about seborrheic dermatitis and how it may cause hair

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