700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts About Diseases & Conditions

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

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.

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child snoring
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Noisy Breathing in Kids
Is your child a noisy breather? Find out why – and what to do about it.
Doctor listening to woman's chest.
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Common Misconceptions of Life After Heart Surgery
Heart surgery can be a very scary experience for both parents and children. You most likely have questions about how surgery will affect your child’s everyday life. Here are some of the most common misconceptions – and truths – about heart surgery.

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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

Young woman looking at camera with two friends sitting behind her.

Eating Disorders: Awareness is the First Step

Feb 23, 2016

As the medical director of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Eating Disorders Program, I am a passionate advocate, but I must be honest – I was skeptical when asked to write about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Read More

Doctor listening to boy's heart.

Cholesterol Screening for Kids - When Should Your Child be Tested?

Feb 03, 2016

You probably know that you need to get your blood lipids, or cholesterol, checked regularly as a way to understand your risk for cardiovascular disease. But you might wonder why your 10 year old needs to have her cholesterol checked. Read More

Child blowing their nose into a tissue.

What Kind of Stuff Clears up a Stuffy Nose?

Dec 21, 2015

This time of year, clogged noses are usually caused by upper respiratory viral infections. In most cases, that means there isn’t a whole lot you can do to speed up the healing process, but you do have some options when it comes to stuffy symptom relief. Read More

Toddler receiving eye drops.

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

Three children standing with their parents for a photo.

Understanding Genetic Predisposition to Cancer

Aug 28, 2015

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents commonly ask, “Does this put my other kids at higher risk for developing cancer as well?” Most of the time, the answer to this question is “no”. Read More

Toddler sleeping in bed

Could Your Child Have Sleep Apnea?

May 14, 2015

Do you have a child who snores or has trouble breathing during their sleep? While it’s normal to have brief pauses in breathing during sleep, kids who go through longer periods of not breathing might have children’s sleep apnea, or pediatric sleep apnea. Read More

Young girl having hair combed through for lice check.

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

Doctor talking to a teenager.

Transitioning to Adult Care

Apr 29, 2015

Transition is a hot topic in the medical field, especially when working with teens. So why is that? And what does that even mean? The teen years are a time of multiple transitions: from child to adult, learner to teacher, dependence to independence. Read More