Treating Your Child's Fever
Lower your child’s temperature with these easy, at-home treatments.
Head Injuries in Kids
Learn the difference between a mild bump and something more serious.
Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Kids
Manage your child’s blood sugar with these nutrition, exercise and lifestyle 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.
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.
Children's Health Topics
Related Videos
Medicine and Children
PAMF pediatrician Kellen Glinder, M.D., addresses questions many parents have about giving children medicine.
Why Childhood Vaccines Matter
Kellen Glinder, M.D., a pediatrician at PAMF's Palo Alto Center, discusses the importance of immunizations for children and the safety of vaccines.
Sleep and Your Child
PAMF pediatrician Elizabeth Copeland, M.D., outlines strategies for helping newborns and children sleep better.
Sunscreen Tips for the Summer
Mills-Peninsula pediatrician Debra Barra-Stevens, M.D., explains the importance of daily sun protection for kids.
Ask an Expert
Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
The short answer to your question is that for healthy kids, melatonin is probably safe and effective in small doses, under the direction of a physician, for two to four weeks. Outside of these conditions, thing... continue reading about My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
Lawrence D. Dickinson, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I'm concerned about my child getting a concussion while taking part in organized athletics. What can I do?
Teens in organized sports, such as soccer, football and lacrosse, are particularly vulnerable to concussion. Approximately nine percent of all high school athletic injuries are concussions.Before enrolling your... continue reading about I'm concerned about my child getting a concussion while taking part in organized athletics. What can I do?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Swimmer's ear is a term commonly used to describe an infection of the ear canal. People who repeatedly wet the ear canal (swimming, surfing, scuba diving) can develop persistent dampness that allows either bact... continue reading about What is "swimmer's ear" and what is the best way to deal with it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?
A cold will typically start with a sore throat, then lead to thick yellow or green mucus and possibly a cough. The symptoms last about seven to 10 days. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and throat, and clear... continue reading about My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Does a girl have to reach a certain weight before her periods begin?
Menarche (the start of a girl's menstrual period) is not dependent upon weight alone but the amount of body fat, height and weight all play a role in determining the start of puberty. A woman's genes and the ag... continue reading about Does a girl have to reach a certain weight before her periods begin?
Ravin Agah, M.D., Ph.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Is it safe to take a low-dose iron supplement if you're not anemic? My teenage daughter is a distance runner, and her coach recommends them for girls on the cross country team.
Generally it is not recommended to take low-dose iron if you're not anemic. Excessive iron can be deposited in the liver and can cause problems. Runners often get "runners anemia" which is why some coaches reco... continue reading about Is it safe to take a low-dose iron supplement if you're not anemic? My teenage daughter is a distance runner, and her coach recommends them for girls on the cross country team.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 10-year-old daughter is having trouble with comprehension and focus in school. Do you think that her hearing should be tested?
When a child is struggling in school, especially with comprehension and focus, hearing and vision could be a factor. Children can sometimes do okay in school until the upper elementary grades when the school wo... continue reading about My 10-year-old daughter is having trouble with comprehension and focus in school. Do you think that her hearing should be tested?
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
My six-year-old niece began to smell strongly of B.O. My sister-in-law mentioned this to their pediatrician who then diagnosed my niece with "precocious puberty." What are the causes and long term affects of this condition?
What a good question with a big answer. Puberty is an important rite of passage for both kids and parents. The average age for puberty is around 11 years old. Precocious puberty is defined as puberty body chang... continue reading about My six-year-old niece began to smell strongly of B.O. My sister-in-law mentioned this to their pediatrician who then diagnosed my niece with "precocious puberty." What are the causes and long term affects of this condition?
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
The pneumonia vaccine helps protect you from S. pneumoniae, a bacterial germ that causes serious lung infections like pneumonia as well as blood infections and meningitis. It protects you from the most common t... continue reading about At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
More Resources
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.