In California, schools are serving snacks that are packed with sugar. This is a huge issue because it contributes to serious health problems in kids. These health problems were once only seen in adults. Now, children are facing issues like fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These conditions can lead to heart disease, stroke, and even a shorter li...
Dengue fever is a serious issue in many parts of the world. It is caused by a virus that can lead to severe symptoms. But did you know that some people get infected without showing any signs of illness? This is called an inapparent infection. Scientists have been looking into why this happens. They found that the strength of a person's immune response plays a bi...
Kids are naturally curious and love to have fun. So, why not use this to teach them about health? Using play and stories is a great way to do this. This is not a new idea, but it's gaining traction in the world of pediatric health education. Picture this: a group of kids playing a game that teaches them about the importance of handwashing. Or a story that expl...
The sexual exploitation of children for profit is a massive global issue. It's called CSEC, which stands for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. This means kids under 18 are forced into sexual acts for money or other benefits. It's a huge problem in the U. S. too. It's hard to know exactly how many kids are affected, but in 2021, over 17, 200 reports of child...
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, a 13-year-old boy from India faced a serious health issue. He struggled with severe muscle weakness, especially in his lower body. His body ached all over, and he had trouble walking. He even had to use his hands to climb up from a seated position. This condition is known as proximal myopathy, and it was caused by a severe lack of vitam...
Teenager girl experiences serious liver issues after taking a popular pain killer. She was feeling miserable. Migraines are no joke. So, she turned to something many of us do when pain strikes: she took acetaminophen. The teenager’s body was already fighting off the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common herpesvirus. It's the same one that causes infectious m...
Picture this: during the COVID-19 pandemic, states made sure all kids could easily access health care. It was like having a safety net for kids' health by providing free Medicaid cover. However, starting last April, this safety net started to unravel. Imagine many states beginning to take back that continuous health cover that had been keeping kids safe and secure. ...
Think about the tough job family members have when their kids need extra support. Kids with trouble growing might need something called growth hormones to help them. They may physically grow properly. But these health struggles don't just affect kids. Parents and caregivers are often dealing with big feelings like stress. Imagine having to make sure a kid takes ...
Firstly, think about how small kids have to deal with central venous access devices (CVADs), which are basically tubes that go into a big vein. These devices are super important for giving medicine and nutrients, but they can cause serious problems like blood clots, known as CRT. So, spotting who might get these clots early is a big deal. Now, let's talk about how w...
If a child has been on a ventilator for a long time, should doctors check their airways for any issues? A team of researchers suggested using a thin, flexible camera tube, known as endoscopy, to look inside the airways of kids who've had long-term breathing support. This isn't about spotting immediate problems, but finding hidden issues that might cause trouble later...