Health Library

Articles In This Section

• Your Child’s Changing Voice

  Along with obvious changes in physical appearance that come with puberty, your child’s voice will start sounding a whole lot different too.

• The Spleen

  The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left part of the belly under the ribcage. It helps protect the body by clearing worn-out red blood cells and other foreign bodies (such as germs) from the bloodstream.

• Overweight and Obesity

  Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together.

• Nutrition & Fitness Center

  You know the importance of exercising and eating nutritious foods, but do you know how to raise a healthy and active child? Get practical advice and tips.

• Hemangiomas: Suzanne’s Story

  When Anna was born, she developed red spots that her parents learned were hemangiomas, benign birthmarks that she eventually outgrew. Her mother tells her story.

• Cholesterol

  Most parents probably don't think about what cholesterol means for their kids. But high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, which has its roots in childhood.

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

• Birthmarks

  Birthmarks that babies are born with, or develop soon after birth, are mostly harmless and many even go away on their own, but sometimes they're associated with certain health problems.

• Taking Your Child’s Temperature

  All kids get a fever from time to time. Find out about taking your child's temperature, safely and accurately.

• How to Take an Oral Temperature

  Taking an oral temperature is easy in an older, cooperative child. Most kids can have their temperature taken this way when they’re about 4–5 years old. Here's how to do it.

• How to Take an Axillary (Armpit) Temperature

  The axillary (armpit) method is a convenient way to take a child's temperature, especially for kids who can't hold a thermometer in their mouths. Here's how to do it.

• How to Take a Rectal Temperature

  The best way to take a temperature in infants and young children is by taking a rectal temperature. Here's how to do it.

• Fever (High Temperature) In Kids

  Fevers happen when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above normal. This is often the body's way of fighting infections.

• Growth Charts

  Doctors use growth charts to figure out whether kids' height and weight measurements are "normal" and whether they're developing on track. Here are some facts about growth charts.

• Common Questions About Vaccines

  Vaccines protect kids from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about what they are, how they work, and what they do.

• What Is Collagen?

  Collagen is a protein in the body that helps make bones strong.

• Growth Plates

  Growth plates are the areas of new bone growth, usually near the ends of long bones. A growth plate is weaker than solid bone. This makes it more likely to get injured.

• Body Basics: The Heart (Slideshow)

  Learn how this amazing muscle pumps blood throughout the body.