Teen Topics

The Profound Impact of Vision on Your Child’s Development

As parents, we want the best for our kids but often inadvertently overlook vision. Poor vision can have far-reaching consequences on developing children, impacting their learning, social interactions, and overall well-being. Children learn by observing, exploring by seeing and connecting with others through eye contact and facial expressions. When vision is compromised, these fundamental experiences […]

Red Dye No. 3: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know

Humans are attracted to foods that are vibrant in color. The bright red color synonymous with popsicles, candy, cereal, and even some medications like cough syrup and gummy vitamins has been banned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many parents worry about what past use of products containing red dye No. 3 means […]

Strep Throat: Secret Symptoms You Should Know About

When your child tells you their throat hurts, you likely cycle through the potential causes so you can help them feel better. While post-nasal drip can cause a sore throat, you likely also ponder the possibility that your child has strep. You may be surprised to learn that strep throat often rears its ugly head […]

How to Protect Your Kids From Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics have saved lives for almost a century since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. They are a crucial tool in modern medicine and help fight and prevent infection. However, the overuse of antibiotics has led to a growing concern: antibiotic resistance. This is particularly concerning for children, who are more susceptible to illness as […]

HPV: A Silent Threat, A Powerful Vaccine

As parents, we work hard to protect our children from harm. One way to achieve this is by ensuring they receive essential vaccinations. Among these is the HPV vaccine, a powerful tool that helps protect against certain cancers. Protecting Your Child’s Future Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common virus that can be spread through […]

Is Melatonin Safe for Children to Improve Sleep?

With the growing concern over the importance of sleep, sleep issues among children have become a hot topic. Parents sometimes turn to melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles, as a potential solution. However, it’s crucial to understand when it’s safe to use melatonin, its side effects, and the importance of addressing underlying sleep issues. […]

When Your Child Falls, Knowing When to Visit the ER is Critical

Being a parent is never a dull moment. Falls are virtually inevitable if your child enjoys jumping on furniture, climbing high in trees, or is just highly active. But when a fall occurs, how do you know if you should call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the emergency room (ER)? This is […]

ADHD Cases in Kids and Teens on the Rise. What Parents Should Know

The number of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has increased recently, with about 1 in 9 children between the ages of 3 and 17 now being diagnosed with this condition, according to new research. This rise in diagnoses has led to discussions and debates in the medical community and beyond. Several factors […]

Support Your Child’s Emotional Development with These Seven Tips

As parents, we want our children to be happy, healthy, and well-rounded. While we often focus on our children’s physical health, it’s equally important to prioritize their emotional health and development. Here are some tips on how to support the emotional development and health of your child: 1. Create a safe and supportive environment: Children […]

Put Sunscreen on Your Kids, But Choose the Sunscreen Wisely

As parents, we always want to ensure the safety and well-being of our children. One of the most important ways to protect our kids from the sun’s harmful effects is using sunscreen. Sunscreen helps protect the skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. However, […]

38 Percent of Kids Have Received the Only Vaccine that Can Prevent Cancer

If you could protect your child from getting cancer, we know you’d want to do whatever you could, right? Sadly, the majority of kids have not received the only vaccine proven to protect against several types of cancer. As pediatricians, we have to believe that a lack of education has caused parents to unknowingly prevent […]

Understanding the Warning Signs: When to Get Help for Your Child’s Suicidal Thoughts

It is normal for kids and adults to have feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. But how do you know when these feelings require you to step in? How do you know if your child is suicidal? And what do you do if your child is having suicidal thoughts? This blog addresses the most common […]

Eating Disorders Among Young Males Increased by over 400 Percent

Eating disorders among young males have become a growing concern in recent years. A recent study published by JAMA Network Open found that hospitalizations due to eating disorders among young males increased 416 percent between April 2002 and the close of March 2020. In addition, hospitalizations among males aged 12 to 14 increased 196 percent […]

Bullying Doesn’t Just Impact the Victim

Understanding the Lasting Impact of Bullying and Putting an End to It It’s bullying prevention month, so let’s talk about it. Bullying doesn’t always appear as it does in the movies. There isn’t always an aggressor beating up a kid on the playground. Today’s bullies can hide behind a screen and torment their victims. The […]

Tips for Helping Teens Practice Self-Care to Improve Mental Health and Well-being

The phrase “self-care” has gained popularity as we realize stress and anxiety’s profound impact on our bodies. According to Wikipedia, self-care is the process of establishing behaviors that ensure a holistic wellbeing to promote health and manage illness when it occurs. Self-care is critical for helping attain balance and wellness in one’s life. Teenagers are […]

The Skinny on Pediatric Obesity

Every visit to the pediatrician results in a check of some critical factors for health – specifically your child’s weight and height. This information is checked to monitor their growth and as a glimpse into their overall health. Pediatric obesity is a significant problem in North Carolina – a problem that we are addressing head-on […]

A Pediatrician’s Perspective on How to Keep Your Child Safe

Today posted an article last month citing the seven things ER doctors never let their kids do. As pediatric providers, it is our responsibility to help keep children safe. So it is the perfect time to chime in on some things parents should avoid letting their kids do to help keep them safe. Here are […]

The Importance of Pediatric Wellness Exams

Pediatric wellness exams are essential to maintaining children’s health and well-being. These exams are typically conducted annually and are designed to assess a child’s growth, development, and overall health. One of the most important reasons to prioritize pediatric wellness exams is that they provide an opportunity for early detection and prevention of health problems. During […]

Pediatric Mental Health Crisis in America

In 2021, amid the chaos of the pandemic, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency. The cause for the emergency: pediatric mental health. It is widely known that mental health disorders are a growing issue in America, especially among our youth. The mental health needs […]

Childhood Obesity is a Growing Problem in North Carolina

There is a growing plague impacting children across the country. And one of the most prevalent places it can be found is in North Carolina. Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the US. The stigmas and prejudices placed on children with obesity are only a part of the problem. The bigger concern is the […]