Healthy Kids Zone

What if your child's back pain is not about posture, but something more? Scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways, often appears during a child’s growth spurt and affects more kids than you might think. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, goes over the signs to watch for, and the steps to take if scoliosis is detected. Learn how to spot early symptoms, understand potential causes, and explore the range of treatment options available to help your child maintain a healthy spine.

If your child complains of stomach aches, headaches, and other vague symptoms that seem to increase the night before or morning of a school day, your child may be dealing with school phobia. As the condition becomes increasingly prevalent, parents need to be equipped with the right tools to help their kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares techniques to help your child overcome their fear of school and shares when a professional may be useful for severe anxiety.

One of the most important parts of school registration is getting your child up-to-date on vaccinations. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, walks us through the required vaccinations and the ages they should be given. She gives details about vaccine exemptions and the best way to keep track of the boosters your child receives through the years.

Bronchiolitis, primarily caused by RSV, is a serious respiratory condition in infants that can lead to severe mucus build-up and breathing difficulties. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains how bronchiolitis starts, its peak crisis period, and effective home remedies like humidity therapy and nasal suctioning. Learn when hospital care is necessary and how to prevent virus spread among young children.

Some parents may give their children a bottle of sports or energy drink as a "healthier" alternative to soda. But sports drinks should only be given to children who actually play sports. And energy drinks are almost never okay to give a child. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about why sports and energy drinks can be bad for children and lists some healthier alternatives.

Does your child have strep throat, or is it just a common cold? It's challenging but important for parents to understand the differences in throat infections in kids. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, breaks down how to identify strep throat in children, discussing everything from palatal petechiae to the implications of scarlet fever. Learn why accurate diagnosis through strep testing is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of further issues.

Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, discusses typical reactions to mosquito bites and rare allergies like Skeeter syndrome, and provides a comprehensive guide to at-home treatments and preventive measures to protect your little ones from pesky mosquito bites. Learn how to handle mosquito bites effectively to ensure your child’s comfort during the summer season.

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed stimulant medications to help manage the condition. But parents may worry about how these medications might change or impact their kid's health. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, says stimulant medications for ADHD actually claim the highest positive response rate for any mental health diagnosis. Learn what research has shown about how these medications work, why they work, as well as some common side effects and risks for children.

As a parent, you have seen commercials saying you need to give your kid chewable vitamins or special, expensive supplement drinks for them to grow and develop properly. Do children really need supplements? Probably not. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains why even the pickiest eater is probably getting enough of their daily vitamins and minerals without the need for additional supplements.

In the United States, 18 percent of children under the age of 18—13 million children—live in a home struggling to put healthy food on the table. Food insecurity can have long-lasting effects on young children, impacting their memory, social, and learning skills. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, talks about the steps you can take to help children in food-insecure homes, as well as what resources are available if you find yourself having difficulty providing food for your child.