Be Active Together
Learn ways you and your kids can have fun with sports and exercise while building healthy habits.
Take a Bite Out of Teething
Master the signs and symptoms of teething, how to soothe the pain and how to keep new baby teeth healthy.
Growing Pains Are Real
About 10 to 20 percent of kids get harmless aches related to growing. Here’s how to relieve the pain.
Six Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online
With children using tech earlier than ever before, you need to be proactive about security. Learn how here.
Head Injuries in Kids
Learn the difference between a mild bump on the head and something more serious that requires seeing a doctor.
Children's Health Topics
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Ask an Expert
Sarah Noble, MSN, FNP
Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation
My ob-gyn doctor's office recently added a nurse practitioner. Can you tell me more about their qualifications and what they do?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has advanced education and training in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions, disease prevention, and the promotion of health an... continue reading about My ob-gyn doctor's office recently added a nurse practitioner. Can you tell me more about their qualifications and what they do?
Jane Varner, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
I'm SO glad that your family is remembering sunscreen! The most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that approximately 70,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma... continue reading about My son is in school all day, then jumps into a car to travel to an outdoor swim practice. He has about five minutes to get ready. If we apply sunscreen in the morning, is it still effective eight hours later? What sunscreens are best for his situation?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I chose not to circumcise my son. Now the AAP issued a policy statement that actively endorses circumcision. While my son is only two years old, I worry that I made the wrong decision. Should I have him circumcised now?
As it stands now, the AAP does not actively endorse routine circumcision, but is leaning more in favor of recommending circumcision to expectant parents of boys. Current evidence suggests the medical benefits t... continue reading about I chose not to circumcise my son. Now the AAP issued a policy statement that actively endorses circumcision. While my son is only two years old, I worry that I made the wrong decision. Should I have him circumcised now?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Can children get rosacea? I just read your article about it and think my 13-year-old might have it. Please let me know if that is possible. She has fair skin and red cheeks almost all the time. Sometimes her cheeks burn and they feel warm to the touch.
Rosacea is very uncommon in children. It is much more common for children to have facial redness due to being born with very fair skin that is easily damaged by the sun. The classical child with concerns about ... continue reading about Can children get rosacea? I just read your article about it and think my 13-year-old might have it. Please let me know if that is possible. She has fair skin and red cheeks almost all the time. Sometimes her cheeks burn and they feel warm to the touch.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My daughter has had a horrible rash around her eyes and sometimes ears for the past two years. The rash is not itchy, gets really dry and seeps at times. Do you have any suggestions?
This rash sounds like it can be a contact allergy if it recurs. I would worry about an infection if it seeps. Since allergic rashes and infections are treated with completely different creams or even pills, I w... continue reading about My daughter has had a horrible rash around her eyes and sometimes ears for the past two years. The rash is not itchy, gets really dry and seeps at times. Do you have any suggestions?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network
My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant. If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet ex... continue reading about My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Energy drinks are advertised to give a person a boost of energy. A lot of that claim comes from the effect of the caffeine and sugar content of the drink. Sugar content in energy drinks vary by brand, but somet... continue reading about My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?
The only treatment option for flat feet for a 7-year-old is to consider foot orthotics. Orthotics are a type of a shoe insert that is made from taking an impression cast of the foot. The idea behind using ortho... continue reading about My 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with flat feet by our regular doctor. She sometimes complains of pain in her legs. Our doctor said that she will probably outgrow it. If not, what are her treatment options? Is there anything I can do for her now?
Brian G. Tang, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
Food jags, or when a child will only eat one food item at a time, is a common behavior in early childhood. It usually represents a way for children to show growing independence and is a normal part of their dev... continue reading about My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
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