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As Vaping Claims Young Lives, Here’s What You Need to Know

Vaping is the process of smoking e-cigarettes that allows users to inhale nicotine, while also avoiding some of tobacco’s harsher substances. Although vaping has been marketed as a cleaner and safer alternative to traditional cigarettes due to its filtration of chemicals, this simply isn’t true. Vaping not only causes a range of health issues, but as recently reported, it also has led to a number of deaths.

Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

A lot has been written over many decades about the damaging effects of obesity on children and adolescents. In a recent pediatrics study, researchers found that despite nearly three decades of trying to raise awareness, the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States continues to worsen. Overall, the study shows that 1 out of every 5 children nationwide are obese, and the rate increases with age. By the time teens reach 16 to 19 years old, more than 40 percent struggle with obesity. This is a national health crisis because of the effects obesity can have as the child grows into adulthood.

How do I choose the right formula for my baby?

While breast milk is the ideal source of nutrition for babies, there are many occasions when breastfeeding isn’t possible or preferable, and formula can provide an alternative source of nutrition to ensure baby’s healthy growth. If you’ve walked down the aisle of your supermarket and perused all of the different formula options, though, you know it can be quite overwhelming. There’s one for digestive health, one for brain growth, and one for fussiness and gas as well as soy, organic, and non-GMO varieties- the list goes on and on!

Get your kids off to a healthy start this new school year

Join our online community groups to discuss the best approach with other parents. 

Sending a child with epilepsy to school: what every parent should know

How to make healthier choices at a fast food restaurant

When you are hungry and on the run, sometimes picking up fast food is the most convenient option. For kids and parents alike, fast food is quick and tasty, but it can be loaded with unwanted fat, calories, sodium, and sugar. Fast food menus can be tricky to decode, especially for the inexperienced. Finding a healthy and well-balanced meal at a fast food restaurant can be challenging, but with the right tools it can be done.

Gina O'Connor, APRN

Samer K. Elbabaa, MD

Dr. Samer Elbabaa is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon, chief of pediatric neurosurgery and president of the Orlando Health Children’s Neuroscience Institute, supported by the Leon Pediatric Neuroscience Fund. He also serves as co-director of fetal surgery at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute Fetal Care Center, which is committed to advancing the care of unborn babies through expanded treatment options. His expertise includes:

Does My Child Have an Upset Stomach or Appendicitis?

You’re driving back from a family outing and each time your car rolls over the neighborhood speed bumps your youngest child cries out. When you ask what’s wrong, they whimper and struggle to explain. Then you recall how earlier that day when the kids were playing outside, your child abruptly stopped and complained of a sore belly. Is it an upset stomach or could these complaints point to something more serious – like appendicitis? 

Pediatric Proton Therapy

Proton treatment for children is now available at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute Proton Therapy Center.