By Diane Arnaout, M.D. Let’s imagine a scenario that no parent wants to think about.Let’s say your child starts acting weird over the past few weeks. She seems tired. She’s sleeping more, and laying around all the time.She starts to drink more water....

It’s alarming but not uncommon these days in health care settings to see children and teens who gained a significant amount of weight in the past year … 20, 30, 40 or even 50 pounds.What played a role? In some cases, junk food and lack of exercise as...

Nineteen in a series.If ever there was an image that captures how many of us are feeling at this point in the pandemic it’s that of a splooting squirrel. Squirrels lay spread eagle—or sploot—on a cool surface to lower their body temperature.Annie Ste...

On Wednesday, four Cook Children’s experts, who have been on the frontlines for the last 18 months, addressed journalists regarding the state of Cook Children’s Health Care System.They shared how Cook Children’s is currently being impacted by a surge...

An 11-year-old Abilene boy had been sleepy and lethargic since being diagnosed with COVID-19. Within a month, he was being treated in Cook Children’s intensive care unit for low blood pressure, facial swelling, rash and other symptoms. Doctors diagno...

Thirteen in a series. The onset of loneliness, anxiety and depression in teens and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a sharp rise in reports of dangerous eating behaviors.The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline saw...

One in a series. One year into COVID-19, it’s clear the pandemic is taking a toll on the mental wellbeing of children and teens.In March, a record 43 patients were admitted to Cook Children’s Medical Center after attempting suicide. This staggering f...

If your holiday plans include traveling by car this year, now is the time to make sure you have everything you need to ensure the safest trip possible. With people everywhere hitting the roads, Christmastime tends to be one of the most dangerous for ...

Normally, it's time for kids to pack their bags, kiss their parents goodbye, get on a bus, and head to Camp John Marc. Last year, 1,081 kids, 175 employees and 231 volunteers went through some form of this ritual. But as we all know, nothing is no...