Prader-Willi syndrome, also called PWS, is a rare genetic condition that can lead to a range of physical, cognitive and behavioral symptoms and complications.One of the most challenging symptoms is called hyperphagia. This is constant, intense hunger and the inability to feel full, despite eating. Hyperphagia…

For parents and caregivers, learning a child has Prader-Willi syndrome, also called PWS, can be overwhelming. It’s a complex condition that can cause physical, mental and behavioral challenges.After diagnosis, it’s OK to pause and take a breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out on day one. It…

Prader-Willi syndrome, also called PWS, is a rare genetic condition estimated to affect 350,000 to 400,000 people worldwide.PWS is caused by genetic changes in chromosome 15. Changes in this chromosome can impact the hypothalamus — the region of the brain in charge of hormone release and critical body functions such…

When Alicia and J.R. found out they were having Josie, they were thrilled. When they found out during an ultrasound that Josie had a cleft lip, they were terrified. But their journey with Josie and Dr. Samir Mardini taught them the beauty of a cleft lip—and how their experience could…

During pregnancy, your diet can have a major impact on your baby’s brain development. Choosing nutrient-rich foods that include things like folic acid, iodine, choline, omega-3s, and other vitamins and minerals is important to support your baby and your pregnancy. Hear from Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic,…

Calcium is a key nutrient for your baby’s development. While dairy products provide the most easily absorbed calcium, some people with dairy sensitivities or lactose intolerance might shy away from a glass of milk or bowl of yogurt. Mayo Clinic experts share suggestions for how to navigate dairy allergies and…

When you see your kid scratching their head, your gut instinct might be to grab head lice shampoo. But itching can mean tons of things, ranging from the superficial to the serious. So how do you solve the mystery of your kid’s itchy scalp? And the time-honored question: how do…

You might not be used to hearing “babies” and “syphilis” in the same sentence. But if you’re trying to conceive, expecting, or have a young child, it should be on your radar. Because if a parent has syphilis, they can pass it along to their kid. And the number of…

Hemophilia is a rare, often inherited condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also called CDC, most people with hemophilia are diagnosed at a young age, often within months of birth.A hemophilia diagnosis can be…

Hemophilia is a rare condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot. In most situations, hemophilia is diagnosed at a young age. Often, it’s found in families with a history of the condition.For parents and caregivers, learning your child has hemophilia can raise a number of questions. How exactly does…

Hemophilia is a rare condition caused by low levels of blood-clotting proteins, also called clotting factors. Without enough clotting factors, people with hemophilia may bleed longer after an injury. Those with its severe form may develop spontaneous bleeding.Though the exact number of people living with hemophilia isn’t known, the condition…

Parents are acutely aware of the importance of a good night’s rest. Kids, on the other hand, sometimes need a little (or a lot of) convincing. So how do you know if your kid is sleeping well? And should you be worried about using screens before bedtime?On this episode of…

Becoming a parent often comes with many questions and uncertainties, especially during the first year of your baby’s life. Kelsey M. Klaas, M.D., author of the “Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Years,” dives into the many questions of parenthood. Become…

One meal can be a big deal. Kids need lunch to fuel their brains and bodies so they can learn and be social—and parents want to feel confident their kids are getting all those essential nutrients. So when it comes to school lunch: to buy, or not to buy? Who…

PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum — more commonly referred to as PROS — is a group of genetic conditions that can cause vascular blood vessel issues and the overgrowth of tissue.PROS is a complex condition that impacts each person differently. A multidisciplinary team of different healthcare specialists, working together to coordinate care,…

PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum, also called PROS, is an umbrella term used to describe a group of rare genetic conditions that impacts tissue growth. Depending on the person, PROS can cause the body to “overgrow” certain tissue, including muscle, fat, bone, nerve, lymphatic, vascular and brain tissue.“The…

PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum, also called PROS, is a rare genetic condition with a range of potential symptoms.For the people and families navigating a new diagnosis, understanding what exactly PROS is can help with deciding the best path forward.Megha M. Tollefson, M.D., a PROS specialist and pediatric dermatologist at Mayo Clinic…

For kids with blood diseases, bone marrow transplants can be an amazing tool for treatment — and sometimes, even a cure. Hopefully most of us will go through life never needing to know what a bone marrow transplant is. But what if the key to another kid’s cure is in…

When an infant starts experimenting with solid foods, their whole world expands. Like breast milk and formula, food is fuel for the body and a vehicle for love. But it is also a cornerstone of culture, and can define national identities. It provides entertainment and spreads joy. And it helps…

If your kid has a fever, you’re in good company — with everyone. Fevers are the body’s natural way of fighting off bad things. But fevers can still bring up a lot of fears and questions. For example, should you try to treat a fever, or let it run its…

Screens are everywhere. And screens can do amazing things — but they aren’t amazing for your kids’ eyes. So when it comes to your kid, how do you know if screens are causing eye issues? And how do you strike that perfect balance of setting healthy boundaries and making sure…

The COVID-19 pandemic hit everyone hard, but especially kids. During key periods of growth, their social lives screeched to a halt. They spent more time on screens and less time outside. Not to mention the stress and uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic. Even healthy kids began to struggle in their…

In the U.S., iodine is somewhat taken for granted. However, it’s an important thing to keep an eye on because globally, iodine deficiency, especially during pregnancy and the first few years of life, is the leading cause of intellectual impairment.In this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids , we’re talking with…

Growth underscores pretty much all of childhood. There’s the fun side: watching kids get bigger, growing into new things and out of old ones. But then there’s the more complicated side: worrying kids are growing too fast or too slow compared to other kids their age.On this episode of Mayo…

Eating disorders can be tricky because they affect both physical and mental health. On top of that, the symptoms aren’t always obvious. But diagnosing and treating them is really, really important. Getting a kid treatment is not only essential to their well-being, but sometimes even their survival.On this episode of…

ADHD — attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder — is everywhere. Statistically, every classroom is likely to have a child with ADHD. So whether your kid has ADHD or not, it’s probably part of your kid’s life. So how do you tell the difference between everyday distraction and ADHD?On this episode of…

Teeth are so easy to take for granted. And they’re the only part of your body that doesn’t fix itself! That’s why dental care is so important — we only get two sets, and it’s our job to make sure they last a lifetime. And that work starts when you’re…

For parents, the scariest part of Halloween may come when their children return home, ditch their costumes and start piling up their candy. How much is too much for your child to eat? Do you let your child gobble it all down like Cookie Monster, or do you swipe the…

Mental health is not “all in your head.” It’s intertwined with physical health. And in 2021, nearly 1 in 3 students experienced poor mental health. So in this big, complicated world where everything’s stressful all the time, how can we be supportive adults? And what other kinds of help are…

When it comes to childhood epilepsy, no two seizures are exactly alike. Some seizures have the convulsive, jerking movements that most people think of when they imagine epilepsy. But other types of seizures can be subtler, and even possible to miss altogether.On this episode of Mayo…

Roughly half the world’s population will experience periods at some point in their life. Some people dread them. To others, they’re a rite of passage. And periods can range all over the place: light, heavy, long, short, frequent, irregular — everyone’s is unique. But how do you help your kid…

When it comes to sports, it’s all fun and games — literally — until someone sprains their ankle. Or gets a concussion. Or breaks a finger. We know kids need physical activity to be healthy, but how do we keep them safe at the same time?On this episode of Kids…

Your kid is coughing, sneezing, and has a runny nose. So is it a cold, COVID, the flu, or RSV? This episode is all about RSV or respiratory syncytial virus. How do you tell it apart from other illnesses? Who should get vaccinated?On this episode of Mayo Clinic Kids, pediatrician…

ABC’s of Taking Care of Me is set in a bustling household and joyfully captures the spirit of childhood. Each letter highlights a unique aspect of the child’s day, emphasizing the importance of caring for themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them. From morning…

Have you ever wondered if you could survive in space? This question, along with many others, is explored in “Spacecare: A Kid’s Guide to Surviving Space,” by Jennifer Swanson. Filled with kid-friendly information, pictures, questions and answers, Spacecare gives an inside look at the experiences of…

When your child or teen starts counseling or therapy, it can be unsettling to see a new, unknown adult enter your child’s intimate life. Parents can feel uncertain about how to interact with their child regarding therapy — or how to interact with the therapist regarding their child’s therapy.“When a…

Once you’ve figured out what type of therapy will serve your child best, even five minutes on the internet will reveal a vast number of therapists to choose from. You’re not alone if you find it confusing: Even psychology professionals admit that the range is overwhelming.“It’s really hard for me,…

When it comes to performing CPR on children, it’s essential to know the steps so that you can help in the event of a cardiac or breathing emergency. Learn the steps for CPR for children in this excerpt from Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies by  Cindy A.

There are any number of reasons to seek mental health care for your child or teen. Perhaps you see a need for general support with life stressors. Maybe a therapist can help address a specific concern. Or you may receive a medical recommendation for therapy following the diagnosis of a…

“My Extraordinary Face” by Samir Mardini, M.D., and Marissa A. Suchyta, M.D., Ph.D., is an inspiring story for children — or others — who have facial differences. The story explores how to become more confident, regardless of appearance. Fun and colorful, yet meaningful, illustrations in children’s…

Witnessing your child act out for the first time can be a bewildering experience. Biting, screaming, fighting the cat — unwanted behaviors can run the gamut. While such displays can appear as suddenly and inexplicably as a new cold, there are clear, research-backed techniques to help turn them around.Jocelyn R.

Step aside, breakfast. For school-aged children, there’s a good deal of evidence that lunch takes the top spot as the most important meal of the day.Lunch is a vital source of energy and nutrients crucial for kids’ growth, development and academic performance. It’s the meal that replenishes kids after rushing…

Most children at the elementary school ages don’t need to be participating in strength training. Unstructured free play is a great exercise program for this age range. Monkey bars on the playground, hopping on one foot to be silly, playing freeze tag, crawling on all fours or climbing are just…

Most parents instinctively recoil when it comes to thoughts of their children facing failure or dealing with a difficult situation. In fact, parents typically think it’s part of their job to shelter and protect their children from the storms of life. It’s a totally natural assumption. But it’s not always…

A divorce is never something you anticipate or want to go through. It becomes even more complicated and difficult if you are a parent. There is so much to sort through, details to decide and changes to make. And you are probably wondering: what will the impact be on the…

Anxiety Coach brings Mayo Clinic‘s pioneering exposure therapy program for children and teens with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the pages of a book. Child psychologist Stephen P. Whiteside walks concerned parents and caregivers through the A to Z of anxiety disorders, separating when…

Mealtimes are an important part of family life. They offer family members a chance to come together to share not just food but companionship. Whenever possible, have your baby eat at the same time as the rest of the family. This helps your baby get used to the process of…

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief by Wesley P. GIlliam, Ph.D., and Bruce Sutor M.D explains how pain develops, how it can become chronic, and what you can do to free yourself from chronic pain’s effects.Many families who have teens with chronic pain have gone…