Although many kids will have one at some point, a broken bone can be scary for them and parents alike. Here's the lowdown on what to expect.

Many people regularly get bothersome canker sores in their mouths. Here's how to help prevent them - and make a kid who has one more comfortable.

The term concussion conjures up the image of a child knocked unconscious while playing sports. But concussions can happen with any head injury, often without any loss of consciousness.

We asked coaches and parents if they're following the latest rules on kids and concussions. See what they said.

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

Getting a cast often comes with plenty of questions. Read on for answers to some frequent inquiries many parents - and kids - may have about casts.

An inherited condition, G6PD deficiency is when someone doesn't have enough of the enzyme G6PD, which protects red blood cells. Certain triggers can lead to anemia in kids who have G6PD deficiency.

Knowing what to expect when you need to take your child to the emergency room can help make it a little less stressful.

Does your child sometimes wake up crying in the middle of the night complaining of throbbing leg pain? It could be growing pains.

Headaches affect kids as well as adults. Learn about common causes and when to talk to a doctor.

This genetic disease causes the body to store too much iron. Over time, an iron build-up can be dangerous. Learn more about hemochromatosis.

All kids get a fever from time to time. Here's how to take your child's temperature, safely and accurately.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal problem that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Certain foods can trigger these problems. So can anxiety, stress, and infections.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) can cause tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities. Learn more about NF, including how it's diagnosed and treated.

Occupational therapy can help improve kids' cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

Why do we cling to old wives' tales when we live in a world rich with medical expertise? While most are harmless, at least one is dangerous. Find out which are fact and which are fiction.

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

Doctors often recommend physical therapy for kids who have been injured or have movement problems from an illness, disease, or disability. Learn more about PT.

Should you head to the ER when your child is hurt or ill? What about an urgent care center? Different problems need different levels of care, and you have many options.

Remember the biology class you had in high school? Well, maybe you don't or maybe now that you have a child, your interest in how the body works has grown.

Blood is vital to bodily function. Read this article for the basics about blood, blood cells, blood diseases, and more.

Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement.

The brain controls everything we do, and is often likened to the central computer within a vast, complicated communication network, working at lightning speed.

The digestive process starts even before the first bite of food. Find out more about the digestive system and how our bodies break down and absorb the food we eat.

Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article.

Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies.

The eyes are small compared with most of the body's other organs, but their structure is incredibly complex. Learn more about eyes, vision, and common problems with both.

Learning about the female reproductive system, what it does, and the problems that can affect it can help you better understand your daughter's reproductive health.

The heart and circulatory system are our body's lifeline, delivering blood to the body's tissues. Brush up on your ticker with this body basics article.

The immune system, composed of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs that protect against germs and microorganisms, is the body's defense against disease.

The bean-shaped kidneys, each about the size of a child's fist, perform several functions essential to health. Their most important role is to filter blood and produce urine.

By the time we're 70 years old, we will have taken at least 600 million breaths. All of this breathing couldn't happen without the respiratory system.

Understanding the male reproductive system, what it does, and problems that can affect it can help you better understand your son's reproductive health.

Brush up on metabolism basics - including common metabolic disorders - in this article.

Our mouth and teeth play an important role in our daily lives. Here's a course on the basics - including common problems of the mouth and teeth.

Our skin protects the network of tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Hair and nails are actually modified types of skin.

The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network that helps keep bodily fluid levels in balance and defends the body against infections.

Sometimes, doctors need to order tests to evaluate a child's health or to understand what's causing an illness. Here are some common ones.

Doctors order basic blood chemistry tests to assess a wide range of conditions and the function of organs.

A blood culture is a test that looks for germs (such as bacteria or fungi) in the blood.

The complete blood count (CBC) is the most common blood test. It analyzes red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Liver function tests can help doctors see if the liver has been damaged. They also can help diagnose infections and monitor medications that can cause liver-related side effects.

At least 1 million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Read more about CFS.

Alternative medicine includes herbal remedies, teas, supplements, and acupuncture. Learn what the risks are and whether alternative therapies can help your child.

Constipation is a very common problem among kids, and it usually occurs because a child's diet doesn't include enough fluids and fiber. In most cases, simple changes can help kids go.

Coughs are a common symptom, but most aren't a sign of a serious condition. Learn about different coughs, how to help your child feel better, and when to call your doctor.

Is your child scheduled to have a sweat test? Find out how this test is performed and how it's used to diagnose cystic fibrosis.

Is your child scheduled to have an ECG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

Is your child scheduled to have an EEG? Find out how this test is done and when you can expect the results.

Is your child scheduled to have an EMG? Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

Febrile seizures are full-body convulsions caused by high fevers that affect young kids. Although they can be frightening, they usually stop on their own and don't cause any other health problems.

If your child’s health care provider prescribed a prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid, you probably have many questions about how to use it safely. Get answers here.

Need to check your child's heart rate? Follow our guide and check with your doctor if you have questions.

Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever - could it be the flu that's been going around? Or is it just a common cold? Find out here!

Find out what the experts have to say.

If your child is scheduled to have a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, read about how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

Mumps is a virus that can lead to swelling and pain in the salivary glands, along with fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue. With the help of the mumps vaccine, it's preventable.

Munchausen by proxy syndrome (MBPS) involves a parent or caregiver misleading others into thinking that a child has medical problems by exaggerating, fabricating, or inducing symptoms.

If your child has bowel movements in places other than the toilet, you know how frustrating it can be. Many kids who soil beyond the years of toilet teaching have a condition known as encopresis.

Your child's doctor may order a stool collection test to check for blood, bacteria, ova, or parasites. Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results.

Is your child having a strep test or a throat culture? Find out how these swab tests are performed.

Find out how and why doctors perform lumbar punctures (spinal taps).

If your child is sick, you'll probably have many questions to ask your doctor. But have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?

Building a relationship with your child's doctor requires communication and reasonable expectations.

The flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November. Even though it's best to get it then, being vaccinated later can still help protect against the flu.

Is your child having a urine culture or urinalysis performed? Find out why urine tests are performed, and what to expect when the doctor orders them.

Germs are the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease. With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your family's way.

Washing your hands well and often is the best way to keep from getting sick. Here's how to teach this all-important habit to your kids.

We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.

Nearly all kids and teens experience acne, so it's no surprise that myths about what causes - and remedies - it abound. Find out what's fact about acne and what's fiction.

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.

Learn how this amazing muscle pumps blood throughout the body.

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.

Families of kids with allergies should use environmental control measures that reduce exposure to the child's allergy triggers. Here's how to begin.

The risk of getting Lyme disease from a tick bite is very low. But it's important to know about Lyme disease, especially if you live in certain areas.

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

Immunizations have protected millions of children from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about immunizations and find out exactly what they do - and what they don't.

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.

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.

All kids get a fever from time to time. Here's how to take your child's temperature, safely and accurately.

The flu vaccine is a good idea for all families. It does not cause the flu, and it helps keep kids and parents from getting sick.

It's an alarming statistic: 1 out of 3 U.S. kids are considered overweight or obese. Helping kids adopt a healthy lifestyle begins with parents who lead by example.

If your child is sick, you'll probably have many questions to ask your doctor. But have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?

Boy, your child's freckles really stand out in the sun - but wait, that one isn't a freckle at all. It's a tick. What should you do?

The flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November. Even though it's best to get it then, being vaccinated later can still help protect against the flu.

Yesterday, your son sounded like he's always sounded - like a boy. But today, you heard that first crack in his voice. It's the larynx (or voice box) that's causing all that noise.

Immunizations protect kids from many dangerous diseases. Find out what vaccines your child needs to grow up healthy.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine.

Amblyopia interferes with the way the eye and the brain work together. The result is poor vision. Treatment may involve glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.

Some kids have hearing loss due to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), a problem in the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain.

Sometimes called a "bionic ear," the cochlear implant can restore hearing for many kinds of hearing loss.

Corneal abrasions, which are common among kids, happen when something gets into the eye. Though sometimes painful, they're rarely serious and usually heal within a few days.

Coughs are a common symptom, but most aren't a sign of a serious condition. Learn about different coughs, how to help your child feel better, and when to call your doctor.

Earwax helps protect the eardrum and fight infection. Parents shouldn't attempt to remove earwax at home, as doing so risks damage to the ear canal and, possibly, a child's hearing.

Hearing may be the ears' main job, but it's not all they do. Learn all about the ears in this Body Basics article.

That weird ear-popping sensation is a normal part of air travel. Here's how to help equalize the air pressure in your child's ears and eliminate, or at least decrease, ear pain.

Hearing problems can be overcome if they're caught early, so it's important to get your child's hearing screened early and checked regularly.

When 3-month-old Sam was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, his parents found comfort and hope when they learned that a cochlear implant could help Sam learn to hear. Follow the family's journey, from the diagnosis through surgery and beyond.

When 3-month-old Sam was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, his parents found hope when they learned that a cochlear implant might help Sam gain the ability to hear. Learn about their journey.

Marfan syndrome is a progressive genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. Even though the disease has no cure, doctors can successfully treat just about all of its symptoms.

Strabismus causes eyes to wander or cross. Treatment may include glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.

Blocked tear ducts are a fairly common problem in infants. The earlier they're discovered, the less likely it is that infection will result or surgery will be necessary.

Kids with these jaw disorders often have difficulty chewing or talking due to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Symptoms can resolve on their own, or with treatment.

Old wives' tales abound about the eyes. From watching TV to eating carrots, here's the lowdown on some vision facts and fiction.

It's important for kids to have their eyes examined regularly, as many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early.

Getting enough sleep can be a problem for children of any age. Read this article to learn tips on bedtime schedules and routines for your child.

Bed-sharing increases the risk of sleep-related deaths, including SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for the safest sleep environment.

Bedwetting is an issue that millions of families face every night. Most of the time it's not a sign of any deeper medical or emotional issues and kids eventually grow out of it.

Gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, is common in kids, and often happens during deep sleep or while a child is under stress.

Babies can develop a flat spot on the back of their heads, usually from sleeping in the same position too long. Alternating your baby's sleep position and providing lots of "tummy time" can help.

A night terror seems similar to a nightmare, but it's far more dramatic. Night terrors can be alarming, but aren't usually cause for concern or a sign of a medical issue.

Nightmares aren't totally preventable, but parents can help kids feel better when they have one and ease their transition back to sleep.

Brief pauses in breathing during sleep can be normal. But when breathing stops often or for longer periods, it can be a cause for concern.

Preschoolers sleep about 11 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period, and it's important to help them develop good habits for getting to sleep.

Although it can be unnerving to see, sleepwalking is actually very common in kids. Here's how to keep your young sleepwalker safe.

Gnashing and grinding teeth, called bruxism, is common in kids, and often happens during deep sleep or while a child is under stress.

Keeping kids' teeth healthy requires more than just daily brushing. Learn about fluoride, a substance found naturally in water that plays an important role in healthy teeth.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Here are the basics about how to care for your child's teeth - and when.

Teething can be a tough time for babies and parents. Here are the facts on teething, including tips for baby teeth hygiene and relieving pain.

Does your child need braces? Find out when braces are necessary, what's involved in caring for them, and how to find low-cost orthodontic care in your area.

Kids with these jaw disorders often have difficulty chewing or talking due to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Symptoms can resolve on their own, or with treatment.