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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.

  • Cough - Viral (Age 6-21)

    Viral infection of the lower airway (the bronchi) that go to the lungs. This is the most common cause of a cough in children. Medical names are viral bronchitis, lower respiratory infection, LRI

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  • Coughs and Colds: Medicines or Home Remedies?

    Every parent wants to help their child get over cough and cold symptoms. You could buy a non-prescription cough and cold medicine. Or you could turn to some home remedies. Which is better?

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  • Cow's Milk Allergy - Infants

    Information and guidance on cow's milk allergy in infants.

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  • Cracked Skin (Feet)

    Cracked skin on the toes or feet

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  • Cracked Skin (Hands)

    Cracked skin on the fingers or hand

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  • Cradle Cap

    A scaly rash on the scalp that starts in newborns.

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  • Croup

    Croup is an infection of the voicebox (larynx) caused by a virus.

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  • Croup

    Croup is an infection that makes the inside of your child's throat swell up. This makes it hard for your child to breathe. It can be scary for both parents and children.

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  • Croup and Your Young Child

    Croup is a common illness in young children. It can be scary for parents as well as children. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about croup, including types, causes, symptoms, and treatments.

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  • Croup: When Your Child Needs Hospital Care

    Croup is a common illness that affects the airways, making it hard for a child to breathe. It's most common in toddlers but can affect children between 6 months and 12 years of age. Another symptom is a loud barking cough that is worse at night. Trouble breathing and the barking cough can be scary for

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  • Croup—Child Care and Schools

    A respiratory illness primarily affecting infants and children 6 months to 3 years of age caused by multiple different viruses and characterized by a hoarse voice and barky cough.

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  • Crying and Your Baby: How to Calm a Fussy or Colicky Baby

    Babies cry for different reasons. Crying is one way babies try to tell us what they need. They may be hungry, have a soiled diaper, or just want a little attention. (See checklist at the bottom.) If a crying baby cannot be comforted, the cause may be colic. Read on about colic and ways to calm a crying

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  • Cryptosporidiosis—Child Care and Schools

    An intestinal infection caused by a parasite (Cryptosporidium hominis or C parvum)

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  • Cuts and Scrapes

    Cut or scrape injuries to the skin anywhere on the body

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  • Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about cyberbullying and what parents can do to keep online socializing healthy for their children.

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  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection—Child Care and Schools

    A viral infection common in children (Up to 70% of normal children aged 1 to 3 years in group care settings excrete cytomegalovirus [CMV].)

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  • DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine (VIS)

    Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds.

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  • Dandruff - Normal

    Information and guidance on dandruff.

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  • Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

    Even if you don’t smoke, breathing in someone else’s smoke can be deadly too. Secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths from lung cancer and tens of thousands of deaths from heart disease to nonsmoking adults in the United States each year.

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  • Dark Circles Under the Eyes - Normal

    Information and guidance on normal instance of dark circles under the eyes.

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  • Deciding to Wait

    No matter what you've heard, read, or seen, not everyone your age is having sex, including oral sex and intercourse. In fact, more than half of all teens choose to wait until they're older to have sex. If you have already had sex but are unsure if you should again, then wait before having sex again.

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  • Decorative Contact Lenses: What Teens and Parents Need to Know

    Decorative contact lenses are considered medical devices. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees their safety and effectiveness, just like regular contact lenses. But changing the look of your eyes with decorative contact lenses could cause a lot of damage to your eyesight. Read more from

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  • Dental Caries (Early Childhood Caries, Tooth Decay, or Cavities)—Child Care and Schools

    Early childhood caries (commonly called cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Caries are the result of an infectious disease process that damages tooth structure and makes holes in the teeth. The consequences of early childhood caries are much more than unattractive teeth. Early

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  • Depression in Children and Adolescents: Treatment

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about how depression is treated in children and adolescents.

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  • Depression in Children and Adolescents: Types and Signs

    Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about depression and what to do if your child seems depressed.

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  • Developmental Stimulation - Infants and Toddlers

    Information and guidance on developmental stimulation for infants and toddlers.

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  • Diaper Rash

    Any rash on the skin covered by a diaper. Diaper-wearing age group (birth to 3 years).

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  • Diaper Rash and Your baby

    Most babies get diaper rash, but it is usually not serious. Read on to find out more about what causes diaper rash and how to treat it.

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  • Diaper Rash—Child Care and Schools

    A shiny red rash, pinker than usual skin, or red bumps in the diaper area that may be caused by a yeast called Candida. There are other causes of diaper rash that produce a similar skin appearance but are not caused by an infection.

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  • Diarrhea (Age 1-5)

    Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the number and looseness of stools. Diarrhea means 2 or more watery stools. Reason: a few loose stools can be normal with changes in diet. Most diarrhea is caused by a viral infection of the intestines.

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  • Diarrhea (Age 6-21)

    Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the number and looseness of stools. Diarrhea means 2 or more watery stools. Reason: a few loose stools can be normal with changes in diet. Most diarrhea is caused by a viral infection of the intestines.

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  • Diarrhea (Baby on Breastmilk)

    Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the number and looseness of stools. Diarrhea means 2 or more watery or very loose stools. Reason: 1 loose stool can be normal with changes in diet. Most diarrhea is caused by a viral infection of the intestines.

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  • Diarrhea (Baby on Formula)

    Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the number and looseness of stools. Diarrhea means 2 or more watery or very loose stools. Reason: 1 loose stool can be normal with changes in diet. Most diarrhea is caused by a viral infection of the intestines.

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  • Diarrhea Caused by Specific Types of E coli (Escherichia coli)—Child Care and Schools

    Although many types of Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria live normally in the intestinal tract, at least 5 types are known to cause diarrhea. Shiga toxin–producing E coli has caused numerous outbreaks in group care settings. Infections with Shiga toxin–producing E coli may be associated with other

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  • Diarrhea and Your Child

    Diarrhea can be acute (lasts a short time) or chronic (lasting more than 2 weeks). Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about acute diarrhea, as well as how to manage the symptoms, and how to help reduce your child’s chances of getting diarrhea.

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