Toys are a treasured part of childhood that help us learn and have fun. But buying the right toy for a child includes thinking about safety issues. Tips for choosing safe toys Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant. Stuffed toys should be washable. Painted toys should be covered […]
Teen suicide: What parents need to know
Dr. Laura Markley, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Akron Children’s Division of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology, answers questions about teen suicide. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in adolescents in Ohio. According to the 2020 Ohio Child Fatality review, more teens and young adults in the U.S. die from suicide than […]
5 Ps: The secret to helping kids avoid holiday weight gain
You hear about the dreaded extra 10 pounds many adults gain this time of year, but kids, too, can pack on a few extra “L-Bs.” When you mix lots of goodies and extra calories with time off from school, when kids tend to indulge in sedentary activities, like TV and video games, you get holiday […]
Doctors address parents’ COVID-19 vaccine concerns in young kids during panel discussion
Are you wondering if your child should receive the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine? As children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive it, we want parents to have all the information they need. Critical care physicians Drs. Michael Bigham and Michael Forbes, and infectious disease physician Dr. Eric Robinette recently participated in a […]
Pandemic continues to fuel kids’ eating disorder behaviors
When will COVID-19 end? Am I, or my parents, going to get sick? How will I fit in with my peers as I return to the classroom and social situations? With so many unanswered questions and anxiety surrounding the pandemic, the constant roller coaster of the past nearly 2 years has been difficult on all […]
How to determine if it’s the cold, flu or COVID-19
Your child has a sore throat, cough and fever. Is it COVID-19? Could it be the flu, or maybe just a cold? Viruses that infect the respiratory tract can cause any of these illnesses. All are contagious and share similar symptoms. Eric Robinette, MD, MPH, pediatric infectious disease physician at Akron Children’s, recommends parents be aware not only of symptoms, […]