Category: Child health

According to the CDC, approximately 5–10% of infants fail to meet expected growth standards, with many cases diagnosed as **failure to thrive**. While it is a manageable condition with early intervention, parents often ask, **"How serious is failure to thrive?"** The answer depends on the underlying cause, but ignoring it can have significant long-term consequences for a child's health and development.

The most intense period of adolescent growth, medically termed Peak Height Velocity, can span anywhere from 24 to 36 months, though the most rapid phase is shorter. Navigating a growth spurt is a major developmental milestone for both teens and parents, making it important to understand exactly how long a peak growth spurt lasts.

Sleep needs for teenagers increase to 8–10 hours per night during puberty, partly due to growth spurts. This intensive physical development requires significant energy, making fatigue a very common and normal side effect. So, is it normal to be tired during a growth spurt? Absolutely, and understanding why can help you and your child navigate this phase effectively.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a significant number of infants experience some degree of positional plagiocephaly, or a 'flat head'. While many parents worry about their baby's head shape, the critical question is: **Can you correct a flat head at home** effectively and, more importantly, safely?

Affecting up to 1 in 300 adolescents, pectus is a common chest wall deformity that can cause physical and psychological distress. The question, **Can pectus go away?**, is complex, as it typically doesn't resolve naturally and often requires intervention.

It is estimated that a significant percentage of infants experience some form of head flattening, but many people, including adults, wonder **how to fix a deformed head shape?** The answer depends heavily on the root cause and age of the individual.

According to leading health organizations, a heart rate range of 70 to 110 beats per minute is typically considered normal for school-aged children. Understanding your child's resting heart rate is a key indicator of their overall health and development.

According to data from Census at School Canada, the average wrist circumference for an 8-year-old boy was approximately 131.4 mm, while for an 8-year-old girl it was 152.8 mm, illustrating the variations. Understanding **what's the average size of a child's wrist** can offer insights into their developmental journey and overall body frame, useful for both parents and medical professionals alike.

Failure to thrive (FTT), a term for growth concerns in children, is so real that medical professionals now often use the less pejorative and more descriptive term 'growth faltering.' This complex pediatric condition describes inadequate weight gain or growth deceleration and is taken very seriously by healthcare providers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory illnesses are one of the most common reasons for school absenteeism. Determining when a symptom like a sore throat necessitates keeping a child home requires careful assessment, leaving many parents asking: Is a sore throat enough to stay home from school?