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.
While available evidence indicates that most children are not at higher risk for COVID-19, there are plenty of challenges facing parents and families during the pandemic – from concerns about how to keep children healthy, to helping them stay active and get the social interactions that are part of a healthy and fulfilling life as […]
As educators and children return to school during COVID-19, there are new anxiety-inducing concerns facing families. While much of the discussion has focused on what happens inside school, it’s important to consider safety precautions when traveling to and from school. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a great article addressing Return to School During COVID-19 focused on physical distancing, wearing masks, handwashing and cleaning surfaces, and temperature checks, but below are some new, and some more […]
Most children have probably heard of COVID-19, and may have questions about both the virus and wearing masks, especially when it comes to going out in public, to daycare or returning to school. For parents, answering those questions can be a challenge. Nilgun Zimakas, MD, a pediatrician with UVM Children’s Hospital, gives us guidance on how to talk to your children about mask wearing. Part […]
We’ve had some hot weather this year, and summer is not even half over! Now is a good time to remind ourselves about the dangers of child in-vehicle heatstroke. There are several ways heatstroke tragedies can occur. And, there are steps you can take to prevent all of these. Intentionally Leaving a Child in a […]
In my role as a Child Passenger Safety Specialist, I work with lots of families who are preparing to take their baby home from the hospital. Most people understand that a newborn must ride in a rear-facing car seat (and never in front of an active airbag). But when is it safe to turn your […]
Many parents are looking for ways to teach their children the importance of seeking out diverse people, ideas, and experiences while learning, themselves, that the goal is equitable treatment for our Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Here is advice from one of our pediatric child psychologists.
Our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors have faced long-standing challenges in our society from increased rates of mental health issues to higher rates of substance use, but during the COVID-19 quarantine, they are managing another daunting issue. Pride Month is celebrated every June, and in honor of this month we’d like to address this important issue.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a popular recreational activity and they can be a useful tool for those who own large areas of land or farms, however the UVM Medical Center reports a threefold increase in ATV-related injuries in the Emergency Department this season.
The school year is ending and many summer camps and childcare programs remain closed prompting families to get creative in the way they entertain their children. More and more of these popping up in backyards, now seems like a good time to talk about safety.
Every spring the Northern New England Poison Center manages a number of poisonings from foragers picking toxic plants and mushrooms mistaken for safe, healthy food. Most recently, the UVM Medical Center Emergency Department has seen a spike in poisonings from people ingesting a plant called false hellebore that they thought were wild ramps. “Now that people are headed outside, we are seeing more plant-related poisonings,” says Rebecca Bell, […]
