700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Posts About Kids & Teens

Posted by: John Ackerman, PhD on Feb 05, 2026

As a parent or caregiver, you know your children – you’ve seen them grow up and are familiar with their strengths and challenges. It can be surprising and worrying to realize they won’t always share their lives with you.

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What Are Signs of OCD in Children and Teens?
All kids have worries and doubts. But kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often can’t stop worrying, no matter how much they want to. And those worries frequently compel them to behave in certain ways over and over again.
Teen girl leaning against wall outside wearing a coat, group of kids in the background talking without her
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Deadly Substances Teens Use to Get High
First published May 2015 Updated January 2026 When I was teenager, parents only had a few substances to really worry about: cigarettes, alcohol and, for those whose children were a little more daring, maybe marijuana. But times have changed.

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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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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

Emergency! Testicular Torsion!

Jan 28, 2016

There aren’t many true emergencies in my field of pediatric urology, but torsion of the testicle is one of the more common ones that I face on a regular basis. Unfortunately, my experience is that most people are unaware of the issue, even though it can happen in 1 in 4,000 males under age 25. Read More

How to Choose the Right Summer Camp (Yes, in January!)

Jan 19, 2016

Right about now, parents across the country are feeling the pressure. It’s not because their New Year’s resolutions are beginning to slide, or that the neighbors are starting to notice that the holiday decorations are still up. Read More

Early Sports Specialization: Does Benefit Outweigh Risk?

Jan 05, 2016

Early sports specialization is when a young athlete chooses a single sport to practice and play exclusively. This usually occurs prior to elementary or middle school, is nearly year-round, and is an attempt to gain early skills. Read More

Our Top 10 Posts of 2015

Dec 31, 2015

As we wrap up 2015, we want to take a moment to put a bow on the top ten 700 Children’s posts from the past year. This site is a wealth of information from our clinicians, researchers and staff and we thank them, and our readers, for sharing this space with us. Read More

Indoor Activities for Kids When the Weather Gets Cold

Oct 22, 2015

As a developmental Physical Therapist, one of my jobs is to help kids become and remain active. But as a parent, I know the struggles of keeping kids active, especially during the upcoming cold, wet season. Read More

Does the Sight of Blood Make Your Child Feel Faint?

Oct 15, 2015

If your child feels faint when they see blood, Halloween is probably not your favorite holiday. The reaction may be caused by vasovagal syncope – the term for a rapid drop in blood pressure and heart rate which can trigger fainting. Read More

Pierced Ears: How to Prevent Painful Infections

Oct 13, 2015

Thousands of kids get their ears pierced each year. Generally, ear piercing is a safe procedure, but a common complication is infection. Here’s what you need to know to help keep your little one’s ear piercings healthy and infection-free. Read More