The health of the current child population reflects the overall health of the Nation and has important implications for the future as these children grow into adults. Many childhood issues—including weight, smoking, oral health, and vaccination coverage—can affect health throughout the lifespan. In 2008, nearly 25 percent of the United States population was under... »
DTaP Vaccine and SIDS Myth
One myth that won’t seem to go away is that DTaP vaccine causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This belief came about because a moderate proportion of children who die of SIDS have recently been vaccinated with DTaP; and on the surface, this seems to point toward a causal connection. But this logic is... »
Should I Vaccinate My Child?
There can be many reasons for fear of or opposition to vaccination. Some people have religious or philosophic objections. Some see mandatory vaccination as interference by the government into what they believe should be a personal choice. Others are concerned about the safety or efficacy of vaccines, or may believe that vaccine-preventable diseases do... »
Are Your Child’s Vaccinations Up to Date?
Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized before age two against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunizations help prevent the spread of disease and protect infants and toddlers... »
Pediatric Growth Chart for Girls
These growth charts consist of a series of percentile curves that illustrate the distribution of selected body measurements in U.S. children. Pediatric growth charts have been used by pediatricians, nurses, and parents to track the growth of infants, children, and adolescents in the United States since 1977. Growth charts are not intended to be... »
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash (also known as “Diaper dermatitis” and “Napkin dermatitis”) is a generic term applied to skin rashes in the diaper area that are caused by various skin disorders and/or irritants. Generic rash or irritant diaper dermatitis (IDD) is characterized by joined patches of erythema and scaling mainly seen on the convex surfaces, with... »