Health and Safety Information

An informed parent can make better decisions about their child's care. Learn about the latest topics in children's health.

Our Latest Posts on Children and Teens Health Topics

IB-STIM: A Groundbreaking Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

April 16, 2025 – IB-STIM is an exciting treatment that is helping change the lives of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and their families.

A Routine Sore Throat or Something More Serious?

March 03, 2025 – To help you understand your child’s sore throat and determine whether it’s nothing to worry about or worthy of a trip to the pediatrician, we compiled some of the common signs and symptoms to look for.

Bedwetting: A Rite of Passage or Cause for Concern?

January 10, 2025

In most cases, bedwetting is a natural part of childhood that tends to resolve over time. If bedwetting still occurs frequently after age 6, then it may be time to talk to your pediatrician about evaluation.

Your Cell Phone, Or a Public Toilet Seat? What's a Bigger Infection Risk?

December 17, 2024

Infectious disease-causing bacteria are everywhere this time of year. You can help your family stay healthy by encouraging to P.A.W.S. – Please Always Wash and Sanitize.

Safe Holiday Toys & Gifts

December 05, 2024

Keeping the holidays safe and enjoyable for the kids in your life is easier than you might think with the right toy choices. To help you make the right decisions, we’ve gathered expert tips on giving safe toys and gifts this holiday season.

Beyond Medicine: The Diabetes Center Team Provides Connections, Education and Fun Events for Children and Families Affected by Type 1 Diabetes

November 21, 2024

Parents of children with T1D know all too well that the condition can present several challenges. Fortunately, advances in modern medicine enable children with T1D to lead full and thriving lives. The Diabetes Center team provides connections, education and events for children and families affected by Type 1 Diabetes.

Fevers: How Hot is too Hot?

November 19, 2024

Fevers are a common part of life that everyone experiences from time to time. However, it can be especially concerning when your child — or even more so, your baby — develops one. In those moments, parents often find themselves wondering what’s normal, what’s cause for concern, and when it’s time to seek medical attention.

How to Prevent Falls at Home

November 18, 2024

When it comes to keeping our kids safe, one key consideration for parents is to take the proper steps to prevent accidental falls. While kids are going to fall from time to time as part of growing up, you can do several things as parents to minimize their risks of accidental falls or severe falls.

Proper Care and Treatment for Brachial Plexus Injuries

October 15, 2024 – Struggling with a brachial plexus injury can be a confusing and challenging experience for both a child and their parents. At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Program, we focus on the highest quality care and treatments for children with these injuries.

Understanding and Managing Childhood Eczema

October 11, 2024 – While eczema is common, that doesn’t make it any easier for parents trying to comfort a child who is itchy, in pain, or feeling self-conscious about their rashes. Fortunately, the good news is that childhood eczema is highly treatable. With the guidance of a doctor and an effective treatment plan, most cases can be well-managed.

What Parents Should Know about Childhood Obesity

September 24, 2024 – Parents naturally worry about their children’s health and happiness but addressing weight concerns can be tricky. Luckily, there are positive strategies you can implement to help your child maintain a healthy weight.

Caring for Children with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate

June 25, 2024

The treatments for cleft lip and cleft palate have seen significant advancements in recent decades. At the Pediatric Craniofacial Center & Clinic at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, our multidisciplinary team of specialists can walk parents through what they can expect from their child’s treatment and recovery process for cleft lip or cleft palate in the months and years ahead.

Pharmacogenetics: Guiding Treatment for Children with Severe Depression

May 21, 2024 – Depression and anxiety significantly affect many children and teens. For those struggling with these conditions, medication often serves as an effective treatment option. Many parents express concerns about starting their child on antidepressants. In response to these concerns, there's a growing shift towards personalized therapy. This approach takes into account individual factors such as genetic makeup, which can influence how a patient metabolizes and responds to medication.

What Parents Should Know about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

April 18, 2024 – As most parents know, stomach and digestive problems are an occasional issue in every kid’s life. This may take the form of a stomachache, diarrhea or even nausea and vomiting from time to time. The difficulty for parents is determining whether their child just has a run-of-the-mill digestive illness or something more serious like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Advocating for Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

April 16, 2024 – If your child has the developmental condition known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), then you are far from alone. The most recent estimates from the CDC note that one in every 36 children born in the United States is affected with ASD. This lifelong condition creates challenges related to repetitive behaviors, restricted interests and social-communication deficits, which can vary in type and severity in each child.

Tree Pollen Allergy Season Begin in March: What You Need to Know

March 19, 2024 – Here in South Florida, seasonal allergy triggers tend to pop up earlier than other parts of the country due to the milder climate. March is when the tree pollen allergy season begins, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Dr. Grace Padron, Program Development Director, Allergy & Immunology at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, discusses symptoms and when to see an allergist.

The Importance of Kidneys and How to Keep Them Healthy

March 18, 2024

As a parent, you probably don’t give your children’s kidneys a lot of thought, but they are vital organs that perform a whole host of important jobs in the body. Dr. Nicole Christin, Chief of the Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists Section of Nephrology, shares how to optimize kidney health.

Measles Cases Reported in South Florida: What You Need to Know

February 20, 2024

The Florida Department of Health Broward County office issued a Health Advisory regarding several cases of measles that were reported at a Weston elementary school. Here's what you should know.

Debunking Myths about Diabetes

November 07, 2023 – Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Although millions of people are diagnosed with diabetes, there are still misconceptions about the condition. Amada Rico, BSN, RN, and Diabetes Nurse Navigator at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, explains common concerns she receives from patients about diabetes.

Pediatric Headaches and Migraines: What You Need to Know

June 02, 2023 – Headaches are more common in the pediatric population than people realize. Pediatric neurologist and medical director of the headache program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Dr. Wilson Heredia Nunez, provides information about symptoms, prevention, and treatment of headaches and migraines within children.