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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

As part of that commitment, the AAP publishes expert advice for parents, caregivers, and patients on Pediatric Patient Education. Information can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and many titles also are available in Spanish.

  • What is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist?

    If your child has a recurring or persistent disease caused by an infectious agent such as bacteria, a fungus, a parasite, or other rare infection, a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist has the experience and qualifications to help your pediatrician diagnose and treat your child. Pediatric infectious

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  • What is a Pediatric Nephrologist?

    If your child has kidney or urinary tract disease, bladder problems, or high blood pressure, a Pediatric Nephrologist has the special skills and experience to treat your child. Pediatric nephrologists treat children from infancy through late adolescence.

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  • What is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon?

    If your child has problems involving the head, spine, or nervous system, a Pediatric Neurosurgeon has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?

    If your child has an eye problem, is having difficulty with a vision screening exam or has difficulty reading or learning, or needs surgery or medical treatment for an illness affecting the eyes, a Pediatric Ophthalmologist has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon?

    If your child has musculoskeletal (bone) problems, a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric Otolaryngologist?

    If your child needs surgical or complex medical treatment for illnesses or problems affecting the ear, nose, or throat, a Pediatric Otolaryngologist has the experience and qualifications to treat your child. Many general otolaryngologists provide surgical care for children. However, in many areas of

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  • What is a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon?

    If your child needs surgery to fix a deformity caused by a birth defect, injury, illness, or tumor, a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric Pulmonologist?

    If your child has breathing problems, or a problem with his or her lungs, a Pediatric Pulmonologist has the experience and qualifications to treat your child. Pediatric pulmonologists diagnose, treat and manage children from birth to 21 years old with breathing and lung diseases.

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  • What is a Pediatric Radiologist?

    A Pediatric Radiologist is an expert in the diagnosis of illnesses, injuries, and diseases of infants, children, and adolescents, using imaging techniques and equipment.

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  • What is a Pediatric Rheumatologist?

    If your child has complaints of pain in the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, bones, or tendons), other symptoms of arthritis, or an autoimmune disorder, your pediatrician may recommend a Pediatric Rheumatologist.

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  • What is a Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist?

    If your child or teenager has an injury or illness that affects sports performance, exercise, or activity, a Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist has the expertise, experience, and qualifications to treat his or her youth-specific problems.

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  • What is a Pediatric Surgeon?

    If your child has an illness, injury, or disease that requires surgery, a Pediatric Surgeon has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric Urologist?

    If your child has an illness or disease of the genitals or urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder), a Pediatric Urologist has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.

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  • What is a Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care Transport Team?

    If your newborn is premature or your child has a critical illness or injury requiring transportation from one medical facility to another, your newborn or child may require the care of a Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care Transport Team.

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  • What is an Adolescent Health Specialist?

    If your child is between the ages of 11 and 21 years, they may benefit from the care of an Adolescent Health Specialist.

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  • What's to Eat? Healthy Foods for Hungry Children

    Young children need a variety of foods to get the energy they need to grow up healthy. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on creative ways to serve up breakfast and lunch, tips for picky eaters, and how to make healthy fast-food choices. Also read some tips about food

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  • Wheezing - Symptom

    Information and guidance about symptoms of wheezing.

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  • When Your Child Needs Emergency Medical Services

    It is rare for children to become seriously ill with no warning. Depending on your child's symptoms, you usually should contact your child's pediatrician for advice. Early recognition and treatment of symptoms can prevent an illness or injury from getting worse or turning into an emergency.

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  • When a Baby’s Head Is Misshapen: Positional Skull Deformities

    Many parents wonder if the shape of their newborn's head is normal. Maybe it seems a bit flat in the back or uneven on one side. Most of these slight imperfections happen when infants spend too much time in one position such as in a crib, a car safety seat, or an infant carrier. The good news is that

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  • When is an Athlete Ready to Return to Play? (Care of the Young Athlete)

    One of the first questions an athlete will ask following injury or illness is, "When can I play again?" The answer is rarely quick or simple.

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  • When to See a Doctor (Care of the Young Athlete)

    A safe and speedy return to activity following a sports injury or an illness depends on early recognition and treatment. Knowing when to see your doctor is an important step in this process.

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  • Whining and Pestering

    Whining is a verbal temper tantrum. Compared to screaming tantrums, it’s a step up the developmental ladder. Some examples of whining behavior are: A child who won’t take No for an answer. He keeps repeating his demand for something you’ve told him he can’t have or do.

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  • Whooping Cough (Pertussis)—Child Care and Schools

    A contagious and fairly common bacterial infection that causes a range of illnesses, from mild cough to severe disease

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  • Whooping Cough Exposure - No Symptoms

    Information and guidance on exposure (close contact) to a person with confirmed whooping cough (pertussis) when child has no rash or other symptoms of whooping cough.

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  • Why Am I Having So Much Trouble With School?—ADHD Toolkit

    It is very common to have difficulties in school if you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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  • Why Is My Child Having Trouble in School?—ADHD Toolkit

    It is very common for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to have difficulties in school. These problems can occur for several reasons.

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  • Wildfire Smoke Exposure

    Wildfire smoke exposure, mainly from forest fires. The most common symptoms are coughing, a congested nose and watery eyes.

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  • Wound Infection

    A break in the skin (a wound) shows signs of infection. Signs of infection include pus, spreading redness, increased pain or swelling, and fever.

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  • Wrestling (Care of the Young Athlete)

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about how to prevent wrestling injuries. Also included is an overview of common injuries.

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  • Young Children Learn A Lot When They Play

    When young children play with children close to their own age, they learn: how to cooperate, when to lead and when to follow, and how to solve problems. Read more about the importance of play for children.

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  • Your Baby's First Steps

    Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help prepare you for your baby’s first steps.

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  • Your Child Has a Sore Throat: What's the Cause?

    A sore throat is one of the most common concerns among parents of school-aged children. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about sore throats and their causes. Also included is information about strep throat tests, tonsillitis, how to prevent the spread of germs, and when to

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  • Your Child and Medications—Autism Toolkit

    While medications will not change your child’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they can be helpful when added to other treatments to help your child’s development and learning.

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  • Your Child and the Environment

    Environmental dangers are everywhere. Most of these dangers are more harmful to children than adults. However, there are things you can do to reduce your child's contact with them. Read more to learn about how to protect your family from environmental dangers.

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  • Your Child's Eyes

    Eye exams by your child’s doctor are an important way to identify problems with your child’s vision. Problems that are found early have a better chance of being treated successfully. Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about your child’s vision, including signs of vision

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