Your Child’s Gut Health: What You May Not Know
Your child’s body contains trillions of microscopic organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses and fungi. Most of them live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or “gut.” The GI tract is a long, muscular tube about 30 feet long. This is where food and drink...
Is Your Child’s Worry an Anxiety Disorder?
“My son can’t seem to stop worrying,“ an Austin mother lamented recently. “He worries about things even when there’s no reason.” Excessive worrying that lasts for at least six months can be a symptom of anxiety. Fifteen to 20 percent of children and adolescents have...
What You Need to Know About Ear Infections
Ear infections in children result in more trips to the pediatrician or other healthcare provider than any other illness. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that every year, there are over 5 million cases of acute ear infections in children. About 80 percent of...
Is Your Young Athlete Being Exposed to Infection?
Warmups, cool downs, hydration and safety gear—organized sports are often set up to keep your young athlete safe. But have you talked to your child about avoiding germs? Children who participate in organized sports may be exposed to diseases caused by infection....
Is Your Young Adult Ready to Make Healthcare Decisions?
Like most parents of a young adult, you’ve probably spent many hours in the pediatrician’s office over the years. Whether you took your child in for a “well visit” or a medical concern, you were there for most of the visits and made most of the decisions....
A Vaping Primer for Parents: Why It’s Important to Find Out What Your Child Thinks About E-Cigarettes
Vaping has increased significantly in middle and high school students within the past five years. A recent survey of 6th, 8th and 10th grade students in five Texas cities, including Austin, revealed some disturbing misperceptions (see sidebar). This is why it’s...
Baby Carriers and Injury: What You Need to Know
Over 1.3 million young children go to the emergency department every year because of injuries related to nursery products like baby carriers, cribs, mattresses, strollers, baby walkers and high chairs. Baby carriers are the most frequent cause of those visits; over...
Do Old Tires Make a Crummy Surface?
Tire crumb is recycled rubber from old tires that is ground up into crumbs. These crumbs are used to make playground surfaces for cushioning under swings, slides and other play equipment. Tire crumbs also are used to make synthetic turf—green plastic grass...
The Danger in Neglecting Baby Teeth
Early childhood caries is the term dentists use for decay in a child’s “baby” teeth. It’s a rapid form of tooth decay caused by infectious bacteria. The number of children getting early childhood caries is on the rise, particularly in low-income families. In fact,...
Kids and Guns: What Parents Need to Know
Over one-third of Texans own guns. Guns are a frequent topic of debate. However, everyone agrees that we want our children to avoid harm from gun-related injury. In 2015, about 4,500 children and adolescents died from guns. Check your knowledge of gun-safety so that...
The Impending Rise of Whooping Cough (and How You Can Protect Your Infant)
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is on the rise. Experts at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services report that pertussis outbreaks typically occur in three-year to five-year cycles. In 2013 about 4,000 cases were reported in Texas—the most cases since...
Your Summer Camp Health Checklist
After hours of searching, researching and enrolling your child in just the right summer camps, you breathe a sigh of relief. But wait! Follow this checklist to make sure you’ve planned for your child’s health and safety this summer. Physical Exams and Immunization...
