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
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
I have a formula that you can use to calculate the calories you will need for your ideal body weight. Get ready for some math! Let's start by looking at how many calories you would need per day just to maintain... continue reading about How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Are there certain foods which can help my hypothyroid condition?
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones in the body. It is estimated that up to five percent of the population has hypothyroidism, women more th... continue reading about Are there certain foods which can help my hypothyroid condition?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
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?
Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese, M.D.
Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods
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?
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?
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
How old must a child be before a reliable hearing test can be done?
Children can be tested as young as birth with special tests called Auditory Response Brainstem testing (ABR). Other names for this test are: BSER (Brainstem-Evoked Response testing) and AEP (Auditory-Evoked Pot... continue reading about How old must a child be before a reliable hearing test can be done?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Generally nose bleeds occur because the small blood vessels are shallow within the tissues of the nose. This is normal, but the constantly wetting then drying of the nose can cause the nasal tissue to crack (si... continue reading about My 7-year-old son gets nosebleeds often. What causes them and can they be prevented?
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
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?
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.