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Oral Health Tips for Children
Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States.1 More than half of children aged 6 to 8 years have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth. More than half of adolescents aged 12...
What is Child Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse and neglect includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., a religious leader, a coach, or a teacher) that results in harm, the potential for harm, or threat of...
Effective Parenting Practices
Parenting takes many different forms. However, some positive parenting practices work well across diverse families and in diverse settings when providing the care that children need to be happy and healthy, and to grow and develop well. A comprehensive report looked...
Birth Defects
What they are Birth defects are structural changes present at birth that can affect almost any part of the body, such as the heart, brain, or foot. They may affect how the body looks, works, or both. Language matters While "birth defect" is a medical term, it doesn't...
Hearing Loss in Children
Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss What to know Hearing plays an essential role in communication, speech and language development, and learning. Even a small amount of hearing loss can have profound, negative effects on speech, language comprehension,...
Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds
When your child is about 6 months old, you can start introducing him or her to foods and drinks other than breast milk and infant formula. The foods and drinks you feed your child are sometimes called complementary foods. You can think of these as “complementing,” or...
Child Development Basics
Healthy Development The early years of a child’s life are very important for their health and development. Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, are able to grow up where their social, emotional and...
Communicating with Your Child
Good communication between you and your child is important for developing a positive relationship and will make it easier for you to talk about difficult topics as they get older. One of the most challenging tasks to learn is how to respond to behavior. Learn more...
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
Child abuse and neglect are serious public health problems that can have long-term impact on health, opportunity, and wellbeing. CDC works to understand the problems of child abuse and neglect and prevent them. https://youtu.be/6kcKX2In0B0 Fast Facts: Preventing Child...
What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about...
Screening and Diagnosis of Hearing Loss
Hearing Screening Hearing screening is a test to tell if people might have hearing loss. Hearing screening is easy and not painful. In fact, babies are often asleep while being screened. It takes a very short time — usually only a few minutes. CDC Report: Infants with...
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle trips make up only 1% of all trips in the United States.1 However, bicyclists account for over 2% of people who die in a crash involving a motor vehicle on our nation’s roads.2-3 Note that bicycle refers to bicyclists and other cyclists including riders of...
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. There are two kinds of pneumococcal vaccines recommended in the United States: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs, specifically PCV15 and PCV20)...
RSV Symptoms and Care
Symptoms and Care Español Print Symptoms People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include Runny nose Decrease in appetite Coughing Sneezing Fever Wheezing These symptoms usually appear...
RSV Prevention
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can be dangerous for babies, toddlers, and older adults. This year, CDC has recommended multiple, new immunizations to protect those most at risk...
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. CDC works to understand ACEs and prevent them. https://youtu.be/8gm-lNpzU4g?si=528WscjHmbSGhPpC What are adverse...
Lead Poisoning Prevention Training
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause health problems in children younger than 6 years of age. At high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal. No safe blood lead level has been identified. Knowledge and awareness about lead as a public health concern is...
Make Shots Easier on Your Child
For babies and younger children Distract and comfort your child by cuddling, singing, or talking softly. Smile and make eye contact with your child. Let your child know that everything is ok. Comfort your child with a favorite toy or book. A blanket that smells...