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

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Developments and Treatments

abril 14, 2022 – IBS is the most common GI diagnosis that pediatric gastroenterologists make. If there’s any good news about IBS, it’s the fact that most cases can be managed with some basic lifestyle changes and over-the-counter treatments. Dr. Heidi Gamboa, Pediatric Gastroenterologist, shares developments and treatments for IBS to give families the opportunity to gain a better understanding and realize there is hope with new advances in treatment options. 

Recognizing the Importance of Prenatal Diagnosis to Detect Congenital Heart Disease

marzo 10, 2022 – Learning that a baby will be born with a heart defect is alarming news for any family. The uncertainty and unknown effects the condition can bring can be devastating to face. Thanks to advances in medicine, there is hope. 

Similac, Alimentum and EleCare Formula Recall

marzo 08, 2022 – Some powdered baby formulas, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, produced by Abbott Nutrition's manufacturing facility, have been recalled. The FDA advises parents and caregivers not to feed the recalled baby formulas to children in their care. That is why we are offering parents resources that show substitutions for these products and the next steps they should take. 

Recognize Concussion Injuries in Athletes

marzo 02, 2022 – Did you know that 1 to 3 million sports-related brain injuries occur in the U.S. each year? Sports-related concussions can occur due to a jolt to the head, neck, or trunk that causes increased movement in the brain. A blow to the head or loss of consciousness need not occur for an injury to be considered a concussion. The Sports Health Program explains how to identify concussions and what to do when you suspect your athlete may have suffered a concussion.
 

Taking Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

febrero 14, 2022 – Healthy teeth and gums are an integral part of a child's overall health. While most parents know the importance of good oral hygiene, many are unsure how soon they should be concerned about their children's teeth. The Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Dental Services team gives a few tips that can help new parents be conscious of their child's oral health right from the start.

All About Hypothyroidism

enero 19, 2022 – January is National Thyroid Awareness Month. Since hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid gland medical condition in children and impacts one out of every 1,250 kids in the United States, that makes it a perfect time to raise awareness about hypothyroidism. Dr. Joshua Tarkoff, pediatric endocrinologist, informs parents what they should be on the lookout for. 

With Rising Rates of Diabetes, National Diabetes Awareness Month Is More Important Than Ever

noviembre 22, 2021 – November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which provides us an opportunity to share information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This year, diabetes awareness is more important than ever, because diabetes rates are rising among children and adolescents. Dr. Adriana Carrillo-Iregui, pediatric endocrinologist, shares the reason for the increase in pediatric diabetes and how parents can help to prevent it.

Halloween Safety Tips: Updated for 2021 and COVID-19

octubre 18, 2021 – Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is important to keep Halloween traditions safe by wearing appropriate face coverings or masks and remaining physically distant from others. Here are a few tips and ideas that you can follow to have a safe Halloween with your children this year.

Kids Flu Center: Prevention and Care Tips for the 2021-2022 Flu Season

septiembre 29, 2021 – Visit our flu page for helpful tips on preventing the spread of the flu virus and view our symptoms checker. Remember, antivirals are more effective if started within the first 48 hours - seek medical care at the sign of symptoms. For your convenience, our pediatric urgent care centers are available in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county. 

Gaining a Better Understanding of PCOS

septiembre 20, 2021 – Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common but poorly understood disease that impacts many teenagers and young women during their reproductive years. PCOS can be overlooked, as it can present differently in adolescents. The term PCOS is a term for a variety of symptoms associated with common hormone changes. Learn more on identifying and treating the different types of PCOS.

Hurricane Preparation

agosto 13, 2021 – As hurricane season approaches, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and SafeKids Miami-Dade would like to remind families that keeping safety both before and after the storm has passed is essential. Remember to stay informed and make sure to observe hurricane watches and warning as these will allow for best planning. 

Firework Safety Tips for the 4th of July Holiday Weekend

junio 28, 2021 – It is important to remind families to keep safety a priority this Independence Day. Fireworks, including sparklers, can cause severe burns and scars. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, more than 3,000 children are sent to the emergency room each year due to fireworks. Follow these safety tips to prepare for the Fourth of July holiday. 

Car Seat Safety

junio 25, 2021 – As families hit the road for travel or even a trip to the grocery store, adhering to proper safety restraint guidelines should be at the top of everyone’s checklist. Many parents are surprised to learn that they are putting their children at risk when restraining them in the car because they forget to ensure that the restraining device is age and weight appropriate and installed correctly.

Put an End to Hot Car Deaths

junio 24, 2021 – Every 8 days, across the United States, a child dies while unattended in a hot car. It only takes a few minutes for a car to heat up and become deadly to a child inside. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and SafeKids have teamed up to launch the “Please Don’t Leave Me” campaign which will provide parents and caregivers across South Florida with helpful tips in an effort to prevent these tragedies.

Drowning Prevention Tips

junio 23, 2021 – Most people think they’ll hear sounds of distress when a child is in trouble in the water. But they won’t. A drowning is a silent event. These important drowning prevention tips can save a child's life.

Backyard Pool Safety

junio 23, 2021 – Fences, latched gates and locked doors are among the various methods that, combined with supervision, can prevent drownings. Here are some ways you can prevent an accident.

Keeping Kids Safe During Social Distancing

junio 22, 2021 – To most kids, the current situation feels like freedom; they are physically out of school making it challenging to focus on schoolwork with all the distractions of being at home.

Scoliosis and Treatment for Children and Teens

junio 18, 2021 – Scoliosis affects millions of children in the U.S. each year. Unfortunately, many of us are not aware of the signs and symptoms of scoliosis or how to treat it. The Center for Spinal Disorders at Nicklaus Children's Hospital has provided an overview of scoliosis and its different treatment methods. Their goal is to offer compassionate and comprehensive care to each child.

Communication and Feeding Difficulties: Does My Child Have Autism Spectrum Disorder?

abril 14, 2021 – Why is my child not communicating? Why are mealtimes such a battle? These are some of the questions that speech-language therapists are asked when first meeting families seeking therapy for a young child. Sometimes, it is not just a lack of “speech” or difficulties eating that are the focus of our evaluation. Sometimes we are the first to tell parents or caregivers that the child has what we call “red flags for autism.”

Top Warning Signs That Your Child May Have Sleep Apnea

marzo 16, 2021 – Most people think of obstructive sleep apnea as a condition that impacts adults. Although obstructive sleep apnea is less common in children, it is still a risk that parents should be aware of. Between 1 and 5 percent of children are affected by it, and that it may be underdiagnosed. Dr. Sandeep P. Dave, pediatric otolaryngologist, compiled a list of sleep apnea warning signs for parents to be on the lookout for.