When you hear someone talk about mumps, you’re probably thinking it’s an old virus. It’s true, mumps used to be a common childhood illness decades ago, especially in kids aged 5 – 9, but is much rarer today thanks to the mumps vaccine. However, outbreaks can and do still occur in this country — and […]
Confessions of prenatal ultrasound techs
A YouTube video of an ultrasound showing a 14-week-old fetus clapping while her parents sing, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands,” generated all sorts of online discussions about whether this was indeed possible. Can the fetus react to sounds, music and the like? Or was it a reflex like the hiccups? What exactly does go on in there?
Why are growth plates such a big deal?
If you’re familiar with the lyrics to the children’s song, Dem Bones, then you probably already know the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone. But did you know the thigh bone is one of the 4 long bones in the body (along with the bones in the lower leg/shin and upper arm and […]
When ‘clean eating’ gets dirty
Clean eating has become the new buzzword in recent years. In an effort to eat healthier — and maybe even lose weight — teens are turning to whole foods or foods in their less processed states, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and high-quality dairy and animal proteins. As parents, it sounds like […]
Answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for the youngest population
With recent news that Pfizer-BioNTech has delayed its submission of data to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and is possibly considering a 3-dose regimen of the COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age, you may be wondering if your young child should receive it. Akron Children’s wants parents to have the […]
Help your teen develop healthy romantic relationships and watch for red flags in unhealthy ones
Teen dating violence is no small problem and, sadly, is much more common than many parents believe. It’s estimated 1 in 3 girls in this country is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Nearly 1.5 million high-school students nationwide experience physical abuse […]