Children's Health News & Features

April 24, 2023 — The diaper analysis was the first step in a study that aims to identify causes of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, eczema, and allergies. The researchers were surprised by the sheer number of viruses that they found.

April 24, 2023 — Sleep problems during the transition from childhood to adolescence could lead to later psychiatric and behavioral symptoms.

April 19, 2023 — A new study suggest that even slightly longer meals -- even 10 minutes longer -- can promote healthy eating in kids.

March 20, 2023 — A new study suggests that recent government efforts to limit human exposure to hormone-disrupting “forever chemicals” may miss the mark and not provide much protection.

March 15, 2023 — The pandemic increased anxiety and depression among children; other leading safety concerns include staff shortages, violence in health care facilities, and medication list discrepancies.

March 8, 2023 — Half of young kids in the U.S. don't eat vegetables daily, a new report says.

February 24, 2023 — Exposure to “forever chemicals” widely used in consumer products disrupts important biological processes in children and young adults, a new study says.

February 22, 2023 — New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatricians on childhood obesity have been well received by many. But some experts question whether the recommendations might have unexpected consequences.

February 21, 2023 — Many parents are giving children fever-reducing medication when it’s not recommended, a new poll shows.

February 16, 2023 — In 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death in youngsters and young adults (ages 10 to 34) and the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S..

February 13, 2023 — The body mass index of school children dropped after the Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 improved nutrition standards for school breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, a new study says.

February 7, 2023 — Some previous researchers linked conception via IVF to an increased risk of congenital abnormalities, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, and intellectual disability.

January 30, 2023 — The U.S. Surgeon General says 13 years old is too young to begin using social media.

January 25, 2023 — The FDA is asking baby food manufacturers to reduce the amount of lead in products by 25%.

Even low levels of lead exposure can lower cognitive performance, cause learning difficulties, and prompt behavior issues. And we’ve stopped testing for it.

Bathroom bans put trans kids’ health at risk. A doctor explains why it matters where kids pee.

Some of the most horrific images from the war so far have come from a maternity hospital in Mariupol bombed by Russian troops in mid-March. The upheaval spurs a troubling question: Could the stress and condition of war affect a fetus?

If your child has SMA Type 3, going to school can pose additional challenges. Here’s how to best advocate for them so they can thrive.

The father of a child with Pompe disease shares his family’s experience. Find out what it's like to live with this rare genetic disorder.

Learn about treatments that will help manage your child's Pompe disease.

It isn't always easy to get a diagnosis of Pompe disease. Learn what your doctor will to do determine if you have it.

Learn about the genetics of Pompe disease. People who have it inherit a mutated gene from each of their parents.

Children are very susceptible to sepsis, which is caused by a bacterial infection that can be deadly. Doctors are hoping to cut down on deaths by educating themselves and parents about the symptoms.

If your child has central precocious puberty, they’ll need plenty of support from you. Learn the best ways to give that support.

After a contagious illness sent her baby to intensive care, a New Jersey mom says “keep your mouths/breaths away from a baby's face, hands, and feet” to cut the chances of spreading respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

There’s a new Muppet in town on Sesame Street. Her name is Karli, and she’s a little girl who lives with a foster family.

Three-year-old Byron Baxter has bones that break easily, sometimes with just a wave of his hand, his parents say. But he’s inspiring social media fans with his fighting spirit and cheerfulness in videos and pics his family posts online.

Worried about meningitis outbreaks on college campuses? Get tips on what your college-bound kid needs to know to stay safe.

When a doctor in the Netherlands tweeted this stark X-ray shot of a “button” or “disk” battery lodged in a child’s esophagus, people took notice. Her post has been retweeted more than 8,000 times since early January.

September 6, 2017 — At 16 months, Austin Poteet was diagnosed with lead poisoning. The state of Georgia's slow response may have put others at risk.

September 6, 2017 — Lead still exists in many common household items such as costume jewelry, toys, furniture and clothes. How worried should you be?

June 12, 2017 — Laura had her water tested for lead. She got the results almost two years later.

June 12, 2017 — This story examines how water utilities in Georgia test for lead in water.

June 12, 2017 — Many water utilities, including in Georgia, have lost track of where they have lead service lines.

An Australian blogger posted a photo on Facebook that apparently shows an X-ray of a grape lodged in a child's airway.

If your child has asthma, their doctor may recommend a device called a nebulizer. Learn how the nebulizer works, and get tips and tricks from a parent and experts.

For school-age kids, maintaining a healthy weight is as important as earning good grades -- maybe more so.

Many kids pretend to be ill to skip school, but some symptoms you just can’t hide. We tell you how to know if your kid is sick or faking it.

Kids can get started with light weights early for stronger muscles, bones, and bodies.

Get tips on how to take care of your child after he breaks a bone, including when to apply ice, what to do about itchy skin under a cast, and how to ease pain.

Learn some of the reasons why your child's doctor may suggest an operation to help heal his broken bone.

Learn some safe and effective strategies for clearing up your little one’s congestion. Know the signs when a stuffy nose may require a doctor’s care, too.

Does your baby or toddler have a rash, a fever, or breathing problems? Learn when she should be seen by a doctor.

Keep your kids infection-free at busy tourist destinations.

How to recognize the warning signs of "dry drowning" and "secondary drowning," which can happen hours after your child has left the pool.

Tips to help parents of kids with digestive disorders get through the day. How to manage school, care for other siblings, work out transportation issues, arrange for ongoing care, monitor nutrition, and more.

When your child has a digestive disorder, it can be hard to make sure he's getting good nutrition. Get details on how much you kid should eat, whether or not he needs supplements, how to handle setbacks.

How to avoid allergens, find hidden triggers, and give your child proper nutrition.

The facts on 9 childhood illnesses you may not know about: RSV, fifth disease, croup, scarlet fever, impetigo, Kawasaki disease, Reye's syndrome, whooping cough, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Hearing loss poses an extra challenge for kids. But it doesn't have to hold them back. You can help. Here’s how.