700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts by Mike Patrick, MD

Posted by: Mike Patrick, MD on Jan 27, 2026

Middle-of-the-night earache? Weekend sports injury? Not every illness or accident needs the ER—but not every urgent care is right for kids, either. Learn how to tell what’s an emergency, what can wait, and how to choose an urgent care center with true pediatric expertise, including options from Nationwide Children’s in Central Ohio.

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When Kids Go Missing: What Parents Need to Know
Worried about how to explain stranger safety without causing anxiety? These expert-backed tips can help you guide the conversation with clarity, compassion and confidence.
Close-up of a smartphone lying on a wooden surface with a USB charging cable positioned near the charging port, ready to be connected.
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Safe Charging of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day, from smartphones to electric scooters. When handled incorrectly, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or even explode. Learn practical tips for safe charging, storage, and disposal to keep your family and home protected.

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About this Blog

Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.

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Latest Posts

The Parent's Guide to Pink Eye

Sep 10, 2015

Your child wakes up with something new and unexpected: their eyes are matted shut and they have trouble opening them. The right answer depends on the underlying problem. Read More

A Doctor's Take on Essential Oils

Jun 04, 2015

Essential oils are all the rage. You’ve probably also wondered if they really work. Are they safe? And is buying into the movement a waste of money or an effective use of a natural remedy? Read More

young boy frustrated pulling his hair

How to Get Rid of Head Lice

May 01, 2015

“Mommy, my head itches!” Not the words you want to hear from your child, because it usually means one thing- head lice. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a statement that children with head lice do not need to be kept home from school which understandably has many Read More

Why Your Toddler is Biting and Hitting

Nov 19, 2014

Biting and hitting are common problems during the toddler years, and whether your child is on the giving or receiving end, your goal is the same: you want the behavior to stop. Read More

The Pros and Cons of Homemade Baby Food

Oct 03, 2014

Commercial baby food is expensive, and many parents question the quality of ingredients in the jar. Homemade baby food provides convenience, flexibility and more choices. Read More

Enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68: Learn the Facts

Sep 09, 2014

Runny nose, cough and congestion are sweeping across central Ohio. You know this because you’ve seen it in the news, on social media feeds, and (if you’re like me) in your own home. It happens this time every year. Read More

Homemade Baby Food: The Danger of Botulism

Jul 16, 2014

Botulism is a disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria produces a substance called botulinum toxin, which works at the cellular level, causing muscle paralysis. Read More

Homemade Baby Food: The Danger of Nitrates

Jun 19, 2014

Many parents want to make homemade baby food. And why not? But danger lurks in that good-looking meal, primarily in the form of nitrate contamination and botulism. Read More