People often wonder if a fetus can hear while in the womb. Many expectant parents will speak to or play music for a developing fetus. Evidence suggests that the auditory system starts forming at the 18th week of pregnancy and continues to develop until the baby is between 5 and 6 months of age. Everything

Asthma is a lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Common symptoms include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Symptoms can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. People may only experience symptoms in certain situations, such as when exercising. In some

Respiratory rates change based on many health and activity factors. Normal respiratory rates also differ in adults and children. The respiratory rate is the number of breaths someone takes every minute and is one of the main vital signs, along with blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. When a person inhales, oxygen enters their lungs and

When a baby begins crying in their sleep, caregivers may worry that something is wrong. However, in most cases, for babies, crying while asleep is a phase rather than a sign of a serious problem. For many caregivers, sleep-related issues are among the biggest challenges during the baby and toddler years. Sleep problems are common,

A convulsion is a general term that people use to describe uncontrollable muscle contractions. Some people may use it interchangeably with the word “seizure,” although a seizure refers to an electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures may cause a person to have convulsions, but this is not always the case. In this article, learn more

To produce milk, the body requires extra calories. Certain foods and drinks may also influence the amount of milk that a woman produces. Read on to discover some of the best foods to help lactation, along with some other tips to encourage a steady flow of breast milk. There has been very little research into

Mastoiditis is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus coming out of

Babies are prone to rashes and other skin problems. Baby acne and eczema are two skin conditions that are common in babies. Both cause rash-like patches on the skin, and it can be tricky to tell the difference between them. Both baby acne and eczema are treatable, and the symptoms are usually temporary. In this

Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, has been an ingredient in cleaning products for decades. It is not safe to ingest. Some people also use it to make children’s toys, such as homemade slime. Borax can be harmful and may cause many serious side effects. In this article, we look at the safety and risks of

Gut bacteria have a crucial role in protecting against food allergies, according to recent research. Cow’s milk is the most common food allergen among children. When scientists transplanted gut microbes, or microbiota, from healthy human babies into mice with no bacteria of their own, the animals did not have an allergic reaction on exposure to

There is no cure for hepatitis B infection, so doctors rely on vaccinations to help prevent it. Hepatitis B attacks the liver and may lead to life-threatening complications without treatment. Hepatitis B infection is a potentially serious condition. According to a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy, newborns should now get their first hepatitis

A peritonsillar abscess is a painful, pus-filled collection of tissue that forms in the back of the throat near one of the tonsils. Peritonsillar abscesses, also called quinsy, often appear as a result of tonsillitis. These abscesses are uncommon because doctors tend to treat strep throat and tonsillitis with antibiotics. In this article, we provide

Lice are easy to confuse with dandruff, which is a very common problem. While lice are a temporary infestation, dandruff is a chronic skin condition. Every year, 6 to 12 million people in the United States get head lice. Most are children ages 3 to 12 years old. Both lice and dandruff are usually treatable

Petroleum jelly is a thick, waxy paste that many people use as a skin care product and treatment for minor cuts and burns. Other names for petroleum jelly include petrolatum and Vaseline, a common brand name. People use petroleum jelly for diaper rash, as a moisturizer, to treat skin conditions such as eczema, and as

Chemotherapy can affect a person’s brain for years after coming to an end. How does it actually change the brain, and is there anything that scientists can do to reverse these effects? Researchers are looking into ways of reversing the ‘chemo brain’ effect. Many people who undergo chemotherapy will notice cognitive impairment and behavioral changes.

Baby acne is common and usually clears up on its own. Some rashes may need treatment, however, so it is important to know the difference between baby acne, rashes, and other skin problems. Babies have very sensitive skin, so caregivers may worry that spots or a rash are a sign of an allergic reaction or

A sunken fontanel occurs when the soft spot on a baby’s skull becomes more deep set than usual. One of the major causes is dehydration. The human skull is made up from several bones that are connected by tough fibrous tissue called sutures. These sutures give the skull some flexibility, allowing the head to pass

Micropenis refers to an abnormally small penis. Micropenis is rare and hormonal or genetic issues are most often the cause. Doctors will usually diagnose and treat the condition at birth. In this article, we look at the definition of micropenis, the symptoms and causes, and the ways a smaller-than-average penis may or may not affect

Some research suggests that melatonin can help treat children with sleeping difficulties. However, it is best to try lifestyle changes or speak to a doctor before giving melatonin to a child. Sleep plays an essential role in overall health and well-being. Sleep is especially important for children as their bodies and brains are still growing

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome is when food allergies affect the gastrointestinal tract of babies and young children. It is rare but may be more prevalent than doctors previously understood. The main symptoms of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, or FPIES, are recurring, severe diarrhea and vomiting. An infant may experience these symptoms from time to time,

Our personality traits may affect many of the choices we make and alter different aspects of our lives. A new study now suggests that an individual’s personality traits in adolescence may help predict their longevity. Researchers looked at personality traits in adolescence to see if they could predict a person’s longevity. Recently, various studies have

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the large intestine. The condition is more likely to affect people between 15 and 30 and over 60 years old, but it can develop at any age, including in childhood. Ulcerative colitis causes swelling, bleeding, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable symptoms. There is

Gingivostomatitis is a highly contagious infection of the mouth. Its main symptoms include pain, swollen gums, blisters, and sores. These sores can develop on the tongue, under the tongue, and on the cheeks inside the mouth, as well as on the lips and gums. In this article, learn more about the symptoms, as well as

Freckles are small, harmless marks that appear on the skin. Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear. Freckles

In a condition known as spina bifida, children are born with an exposed spinal cord, which causes numerous physical and developmental issues. Usually, surgeons will operate on spina bifida after birth, but a complex in utero surgery can allow the baby to develop better while still inside the mother’s womb. Prenatal spina bifida surgery can

A newborn’s belly button may bleed while the cord is falling off or shortly after it does. Most often, newborn belly button bleeding is not a cause for concern but a regular part of the healing process. Occasionally though, it can signal a problem. The umbilical cord supplies a fetus with nutrients from the mother.

Stridor is a high-pitched squeaking or whistling sound, usually due to an obstruction in an airway. Stridor is a sign of an underlying health issue rather than a diagnosis or disease in itself. This article outlines the causes of stridor in children and adults, along with information on diagnosis and treatments. Symptoms Symptoms of stridor

A quick home improvement project or fun craft afternoon with the kids can become a major hassle if someone gets super glue on their skin. Super glue can even bind the skin to other objects or glue the fingers together. However, super glue is not usually harmful to the skin, and there is a range

Eczema is a common skin condition that results in red, itchy patches on the skin. Treating severe eczema is challenging, but intensive treatment methods can improve people’s symptoms. Doctors cannot cure eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, but treatments can reduce the severity of rashes and inflammation so that a person’s quality of life

People tend to associate acne with puberty and a person’s teenage years, but it is relatively common for a baby to get acne. The causes and treatments of baby acne, also called neonatal acne, are different from those of adult acne. This article will take a look at the prevalence and symptoms of baby acne.