Why ear infections can be hard to recognize in children Ear infections in children are common because the Eustachian tubes, which help ventilate the middle ear and drain fluid, are shorter, narrower, and more horizontal than in adults. After a…

Understanding constipation in children Constipation in a child is not defined by one perfect stool schedule. Some healthy children stool more than once a day, while others go every other day. Clinically, constipation becomes more relevant when stools are hard,…

Understanding constipation in children Constipation is not defined only by how many days pass between bowel movements. In pediatrics, stool consistency, pain, withholding behavior, abdominal symptoms, and the child’s usual pattern all matter. A child may stool every day but…

Start with hydration, not food The main treatment for a child with a stomach virus is supportive care, especially fluid replacement. Viral gastroenteritis irritates the stomach and intestines, causing vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, low-grade fever, and poor appetite. There…

What stomach flu means in children “Stomach flu” is a common phrase for acute gastroenteritis, which means inflammation or irritation of the stomach and intestines. In children, viral causes are frequent, including norovirus, rotavirus in unvaccinated or partially protected children,…

Understanding what may be happening in the ear Most childhood ear infections discussed in pediatric care are acute otitis media, a middle-ear infection that often follows a viral upper respiratory infection. Swelling around the eustachian tube can trap fluid behind…

Understanding the childhood common cold The common cold is usually caused by respiratory viruses that infect the nose, throat, sinuses, and sometimes the upper airways. Children often have several colds each year because their immune systems are still building memory…

What is the common cold in children? The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses in childhood. Children, particularly those in daycare or school settings, may experience six to ten cold episodes annually, compared to two to four…

What counts as fever in children In pediatrics, fever is typically defined as a core temperature of 100.4°F, or 38°C, or higher. Rectal temperature is often considered the most accurate practical measurement in infants and young children, while oral temperatures…

Start With Age, Not Just The Number Age is one of the strongest factors in deciding when to call a doctor for a child’s fever. In newborns and young infants, the immune system is still developing, and serious bacterial infections…