Your children may already be looking forward to summer camp. But when it comes to kids with asthma or allergies, parents need to take extra steps in planning their outdoor experience. “Kids with allergies and asthma need an extra layer of preparation to ensure they stay healthy and enjoy their adventure,” said Dr. Bradley Chipps,…  read on >

A type 2 diabetes diagnosis that comes early in life carries a deadly load of health risks, new research shows. It was associated with a 60 percent higher relative risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Not only that, it was linked to almost a 30 percent higher risk of death from any cause,…  read on >

Even though it’s the end of February, it’s still not too late to get a flu shot, doctors say. This flu season is one of the worst seen in the United States in years. Flu-linked hospitalizations were still rising earlier this month, and 84 children have died from flu complications so far, according to government…  read on >

Children who’ve had surgery to repair defective hearts are more likely to die or require longer hospitalizations if they live in poorer neighborhoods, a new study suggests. The disparities between affluent and poor children persisted even though all were treated at the same major hospitals, the researchers said. And those disparities were only partially explained…  read on >

A baby’s nutritional balance during the first 1,000 days of life is critical to lifelong mental health and development, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Sufficient amounts of key minerals, vitamins, proteins and certain fats during the infant and toddler years is key to avoiding permanent loss of brain function, the academy said. The AAP…  read on >

Cramps are a better-known symptom of a woman’s period, but about 20 percent of women are also prone to migraine headaches during menstruation. The Office on Women’s Health suggests seeing a doctor if you have any of these symptoms during menstruation: Your headaches change. Treatments that once worked no longer help. You have side effects…  read on >

A young person’s decision to drink alcohol may be related to the stress of trying to fit in with a particular crowd, the desire to get good grades or adjusting to a new school. Keeping open lines of communication with your child or teen may help prevent underage drinking. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental…  read on >

The first day of preschool is a milestone in a child’s life. And parents can help prepare kids for this momentous occasion with everyday family routines that create a nurturing home environment. According to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, routines help develop a child’s social and emotional readiness. That’s…  read on >

There’s some good news for expecting moms who are trying to weather a brutal flu season — a new study shows that getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy causes no harm to newborns. Researchers reviewed records on more than 400,000 infants born between 2004 and 2014, and found no increased risk of infant hospitalization or…  read on >