I wrote a post a while back that got to the bottom line (can’t help myself) of diaper rash. Over the past two weeks, my little guy has been producing a differently nuanced poop that has been sorely irritating his little bottom. I’m talking scarlet red skin, almost broken in some areas, and...
Did you have a heart to heart with your teenage son last night? If you’re like most parents, the answer is probably a resounding No. Adolescent boys are not exactly known for their desire to speak openly about concerns, worries, or fears. Teenage males are far less likely to seek medical attention than females. ...
A recent Thrive blog post explored the potential negative impact that social networking sites like Facebook can have on adolescents. There’s no doubt that parental monitoring is essential to the appropriate use of these kinds of websites. Some of the behaviors noted, such as sexting and bullying, are relatively obvious and difficult to hide...
It’s what every parent needs to know more than anything else after their child has suffered from a stroke: Will my child be normal? Will they be the same person that they once were? It’s a difficult question to answer. Prognosis varies based on the extent of brain tissue damage and the area of...
A group in San Francisco might succeed in proposing a circumcision ban for male minors on the November election ballot. This is the headline responsble for re-igniting the great circumcision debate. An obligatory media frenzy has followed. Did you know that Guy Ritchie allegedly underwent circumcision at Madonna’s request? (Did you care?) Apparently the practice...
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Makes sense when you think about the large number of adults who suffer from strokes annually. But kids? Strokes in the pediatric population do happen, more often than you’d think. Stroke rates in children vary slightly from study to study, but the range is anywhere from 3 to...
Otherwise known as irritant contact dermatitis, diaper rash is a common infant/toddler affliction. It’s a relatively minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable or challenging to treat. Diaper rash can be stubborn and sometimes downright painful. How do we keep the bums of our little...
April is Autism Awareness Month. According to the Center for Disease Control, it is estimated that on average 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With those kind of numbers, most of us have probably been affected in one way or another, personally or professionally. As a pediatric RN, I...