Pediatric Conditions

• Preventing Breath-Holding Spells in Children

  As children learn to deal with frustration, fear, and anger, breath-holding spells become less frequent. Parents may be able to prevent some spells by seeing that their child gets plenty of rest and that he or she feels secure. Some ways to help...

• Breath-Holding Spells: Keeping a Record

  Before taking your child to a doctor for breath-holding spells, write down what typically happens. These descriptions will help you to give your child's doctor accurate information to make an initial diagnosis. Try to observe and record what happens...

• Breath-Holding Spells

  What are breath-holding spells? Breath-holding spells are brief periods when young children stop breathing for up to 1 minute. These spells often cause a child to pass out (lose consciousness). Breath-holding spells usually occur when a young child is angry, frustrated, in pain, or afraid. But the spell is a reflex...

• Congenital Torticollis

  What is congenital torticollis? Torticollis, also known as "wryneck," is a condition in which your baby's head is tilted. The chin points to one shoulder, while the head tilts toward the opposite shoulder. Treatment is necessary to prevent your baby's face and skull from growing unevenly and to prevent limited motion...

• Craniosynostosis

  What is craniosynostosis? Craniosynostosis (say "kray-nee-oh-sih-noh-STOH-sus") is a problem with the skull that causes a baby's head to be oddly shaped. In rare cases it causes pressure on the baby's brain, which can cause damage. It is also called craniostenosis. A baby's skull is not just one bowl-shaped...

• Managing a Croup Attack

  Learn how to use home treatment to stop a cough from croup.

• Why Children Don't Need Antibiotics for Colds or Flu

  Learn why antibiotics shouldn't be prescribed to children who have a cold or flu.

• Croup

  What is croup? Croup is a common respiratory problem in young children. It tends to occur in the fall and winter. Its main symptom is a harsh, barking cough. Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe...

• Barking Coughs in Children

  If your child has a barking cough: Hold your child in a calming manner. Keep your child quiet, if possible. Crying can make breathing more difficult. Try rocking or distracting your child with a book or game. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Don't use a hot vaporizer. Use only water in the humidifier...

• Croup: Managing a Croup Attack

  Using techniques to help your child control symptoms of croup can help prevent the need to see a doctor at a clinic or emergency room. These techniques focus on keeping your child's airway open to make breathing easier. Keep calm and soothe your child. Anxiety and panic can make symptoms worse. Recognize that...

• Developmental Problems: Testing

  Health professionals who see infants and children screen for (watch for early signs of) developmental disabilities at every well-child visit. Developmental problems can affect how a child can talk, move, concentrate, and/or socialize. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental testing for children...

• Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain

  Most infants lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week. A baby's weight decreases from the normal loss of fluid, urine, and stool. Babies also get few calories from early breastfeeding patterns. Their bodies have special fat stores for...

• Failure to Thrive

  What is failure to thrive? Failure to thrive is a term used to describe a child who seems to be gaining weight or height more slowly than other children of his or her age and sex. A baby who has failed to thrive may seem slow to develop physical skills, such as rolling over, standing, and walking. Slow growth also...

• Alcohol Effects on a Fetus

  A woman who drinks alcohol while she is pregnant may harm her developing baby (fetus). Alcohol can pass from the mother's blood into the baby's blood. It can damage and affect the growth of the baby's cells. Brain and spinal cord cells are most...

• Kawasaki Disease

  What is Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki disease is a rare childhood illness that affects the blood vessels. The symptoms can be severe for several days and can look scary to parents. But then most children return to normal activities. Kawasaki disease can harm the coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart...