Children's Health Information Archives

What Smartphone Use Right Before Bed Does to a Child’s Brain

Smartphone use before sleep isn’t a good idea for anyone -- least of all children. In fact, this habit can be especially harmful for children, who may be more susceptible to the effects of...

5 Things for Parents to Know about Emergency Care

Here’s the bad news: Emergencies happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—even for the most cautious and well-prepared of parents. The good news? Emergency care is always available at...

Childhood Friendships Foster Fun and Good Mental Health

The ability to make friends, keep friends and nurture these relationships over time is a good reflection of how well a person will thrive later in life – socially, emotionally and academically. Learning the...

To Solve Childhood Hunger, Start With Breakfast

Over 10 million more breakfasts were served to Virginia students this school year compared to the same time three years ago. That’s a big deal. But we have the opportunity to connect even more students...

Fidget Spinners: Help or Hindrance?

Fidget spinners have quickly become a household term. In fact, it’s likely you have one or more of these little gadgets in your home.The idea behind fidget spinners is that they help kids stop...

When Is Your Child’s Bedtime?

Many parents face the eternal struggle of making sure their children get the right amount of sleep. It can be especially difficult during the school year with the early wake times and the numerous...

Growing Pains: What They Are and How to Help

As the parent of a child with growing pains, I know it can be troublesome when a child wakes up multiple times in the middle of the night with pain in their legs. Here’s...

When a Child Stares Without Responding

As a pediatric neurologist, I sometimes examine young patients for “staring.” When a parent reports that their child “ stares ,” “ blanks out ” or “ zones out ,” they also report the...

5 Things to Know About Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department

Bon Secours Richmond Health System opened their expanded, completely separate child-friendly pediatric emergency department at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in March 2013 as part of a campus renovation and expansion. Bon Secours continues...

Growing Pains: Osgood – Schlatter and Sever’s Diseases

What is Osgood – Schlatter Disease? Osgood – Schlatter Disease is an inflammation of the growth plate on the top and front of the shin bone. It frequently results in an overgrowth of the bony...