Do preteens and teens need to use fancy skin care products? Get answers from a pediatric dermatologist By Dr. Brandie Metz, pediatric dermatologist at CHOC As a pediatric dermatologist, I have seen an increasing number of kids — some as young as 8 years old — who come to my office asking for advice about skincare, toting bags of fancy, expensive products. There has been a recent trend amongst teens and tweens to be drawn to purchase high-end skin care products from beauty stores. You may be asking yourself: How did we get here?  Why are fancy skincare products so trendy for preteens and ..read more

Occupational therapy aids patient’s recovery after rare epilepsy diagnosis Isa was a pretty typical 10-year-old until he suddenly suffered from a seizure at school. He was quickly transported to CHOC Hospital in Orange, where he and his family embarked on a long medical journey that was full of ups and downs – leading to an eventual diagnosis of a rare seizure disorder that requires ongoing care.  Despite all the challenges and scary moments, Isa’s family celebrates his triumphant recovery. “We advocated for Isa to receive occupational therapy while he was in the pediatric intensive care ..read more

How to help your child grieve the loss of their pet By Miranda Wichelns, licensed clinical social worker at CHOC, certified grief specialist Pets are cherished family members. The heartbeat at our feet, the warm spot on our lap, the joyful greeting at the door whether we are coming back from a long trip or just coming out of the bathroom. They are always there, with unconditional love and constant, comforting companionship. Their soothing presence is grounding throughout the daily stresses of life, whether enormous or small. The connection between a pet and their person is incredibly deep and ..read more

A CHOC dietitian explains the benefits of superfoods for kids By Joyelle Temming, registered dietitian at CHOC What are superfoods? “Superfood” is a nickname given to a food that offers exceptional health benefits and is packed with nutrients. There is no regulated definition for superfood, so there is no specific set of criteria that a food must meet. Superfoods generally contain high amounts of: Antioxidants (natural compounds that protect cells from damage and may lower the risk of certain diseases). Flavonoids (found in plants and have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties ..read more

Myths and facts about mononucleosis (mono)  Have you ever heard of mononucleosis, or mono, called “the kissing disease?” There’s some confusion and misinformation about exactly how kids and teens get mono, says Dr. Delma Nieves, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at CHOC.    Here, she clears up some truths and falsehoods about mono and offers treatment and prevention tips. Myths about mononucleosis (mono) Myth: You can be vaccinated against mono. There is no vaccine for mononucleosis. Mono is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), for which there is no vaccine. Myth ..read more

Having any kind of surgery can be nerve-wracking, and former CHOC patient Avery knows the feeling well. 19-year-old Avery received pectus excavatum (“sunken chest”) surgery at CHOC when she was 15. Today, she’s a healthy, active college student who participates in virtual CHOC Hospital tours and connects with other pectus excavatum (PE) patients from her dorm room in Seattle, Washington. Avery is a teen mentor participating in CHOC’s P.S. You’re Not Alone Mentorship Program, a program designed to support the mental and emotional health of patients undergoing pectus excavatum and scoliosis surg ..read more

Anti-obesity medications for teens: Considerations for families Childhood obesity rates are rising in the U.S., affecting nearly 1 in 5 kids and teens ages 2 to 19 years. For parents of teens struggling with obesity, it can be difficult to know how to help your child lose weight, while also protecting their mental health and self-image. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — the largest professional association of pediatricians in the U.S.— included anti-obesity medications in their recommended guidelines for treating childhood obesity for the first time. Dr. Alexandra Roche, ped ..read more

How parents can help promote healthy eating and exercise habits at home Childhood obesity rates are on the rise in the United States – affecting nearly 1 in 5 kids ages 2 to 19 years – but there are things that families can do to help prevent it. Dr. Alexandra Roche, pediatrician and division chief of adolescent medicine at CHOC and an AAP member, explains instilling healthy eating and exercise habits in kids and teens often begins at home. Here, she offers quick tips to parents that can help kids and teens maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity. 10 healthy eating and exercise tips to h ..read more

Tips for making nutrition fun for kids By Kristen Miller, clinical dietitian at CHOC Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy/dairy alternatives, as outlined by MyPlate, promotes a child’s growth and development. But it is not uncommon for kids to gravitate towards highly-processed foods such as crackers, chicken nuggets and French fries. So, how do we encourage kids to try different foods and make healthier choices? One way is to make food fun! Go grocery shopping together Mealtime starts long before we get in the kitchen. What we choose in the groce ..read more

How to protect your kids from harmful air and tips for reducing the risks of wildfires In California, wildfires are becoming increasingly large and more severe. In part, climate change is to blame. However, no matter what causes them, wildfires can be scary, and parents may have questions about how to protect their kids. Here, Dr. Marnie Granados, a CHOC pediatrician and member of CHOC’s sustainability task force, discusses how you can protect your child from breathing harmful air and what we can all do, as a community, to decrease the risk of wildfires.  How can parents protect their kid ..read more