The University of Vermont Medical Center HealthSource blog is your leading source for children’s health articles and news from industry experts. Read through a collection of children’s health articles and tips on a variety of topics such as mental health, behavioral issues, nutrition, safety, development and more. The HealthSource children’s health blog features an array of regular authors and contributors from the medical world including doctors, nutritionists, nurse practitioners and healthcare experts.
With summer here, I find myself getting grilled by families about safety precautions they should be taking when they barbecue outside. Well, I don’t want any backyard fireworks to occur, so let me provide some information on this topic. Keep distance between your child and the grill First, keep your children away from a grill […]
Parents of teenagers have been asking me when the best time to transition their teen from a pediatrician to an adult physician is. Well, if they have been seeing a family physician, this shouldn’t be an issue since a family physician cares for children and adults. However, if they have been going to a pediatrician, […]
Last month, I shared what mothers were telling me they wanted for Mother’s Day and this month, it’s dad’s turn. So, let me start off by sharing what dads really want for Father’s Day—no, not a funny t-shirt or necktie, but gifts that cost very little but are essentially priceless! Activities as a gift First, […]
Parents who have a loved one who is going to be deployed or has already been deployed have been asking me to do my duty and help them help their children deal with the separation. Well, let me salute this important issue and provide some information on this topic. Have a conversation First, it is […]
Parents have been driving up to me with lots of questions about how they can ensure their teen drives safely once they have their license. Well, let me take the wheel and provide some information on this topic of safe driving. Be a role model More than 5,500 teens die in this country every year […]
Anxious for warmer weather, it isn’t long after the ice goes out on local lakes and ponds before most of us start to think about summer. Whether it’s visiting a favorite swimming hole, kayaking, trying out a stand-up paddle board, making a trip to the beach on a hot day, or hanging out in a […]
Parents have been driving up to me with questions about new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding car seats. One question I get asked is, just how long should a child be placed rear-facing. 3 Types of Car Seats There are three basic types of car seats, rear-facing, convertible, and booster seats. Choosing […]
Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a lifelong impact on our health and wellbeing. Consider this: People with positive childhood experiences live 20 more years on average than those with negative experiences. That’s quite an impact. And there’s more. The landmark Kaiser ACE Study — ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experience —shows links between […]
When I started as a pediatric resident, I was prepared to see children with runny noses, funny rashes and perhaps even the odd Lego piece in the ear. I quickly recognized I was far from prepared for one of the greatest pediatric health concerns I never expected: child abuse and neglect. My Experience Recognizing Child […]
Child Abuse Month Since this month is national Child Abuse Prevention Month, I thought it wouldn’t be abusive to share some information about this most important concerning problem that still exists in our communities. Child abuse occurs when a parent or other adult causes serious physical, sexual or emotional harm to a child or neglects […]
