Healthy DevelopmentInfo Center

When Kids Snack Healthy They are Happy
Kids can be picky eaters, which can make it hard to choose healthy snack options. But keeping kids healthy and happy can be done together.
More Than Meets the Eye
Often, birth defects occur because of variations in children's genes. Researchers are learning that those genetic differences can also influence other disorders.
Teenager Brains on Booze
Teenagers aren’t allowed to drink because it’s dangerous. Not just accident-prone dangerous, but actual breakdown of the brain’s white matter dangerous.
Got (the Right Amount of) Milk?
Milk is that classic childhood drink that we always hear is good for kids' bones. That's partly true, but there's also a tradeoff in drinking milk. The drink is finding a happy medium.
Feeling Blue… While Pregnant
Pregnant women with depression have tough choices to make. Do they treat the depression with medication or skip the meds? How might either choice affect their baby?
Pumping Up Tiny Newborns' Iron
The smallest newborns are often at risk for bigger health problems. Underweight babies are more likely to have behavioral issues later in life. But new research indicates boosting their iron levels may help.
Mama's Diet Shapes Kid's Diabetes Risk
A pregnant mother's diet plays a key role in her child's development and health. If you are pregnant, eating an unhealthy diet could boost your child's chances of developing diabetes.
Secondhand Smoke and the Unborn Baby
So it's pretty clear that smoking while pregnant is a bad idea. But what if it's just those around you who are smoking? Does that affect unborn babies too? Possibly.
What’s In My Toothpaste?
Have you ever read your toothpaste’s ingredient list? Probably not. But if you did, you’d most likely find triclosan on the list.
Not Missing a Beat
Serious asthma can mean serious absences for school-aged children. Because of this, parents and teachers often worry children with asthma will lag behind their classmates in academic performance.