Autism is one of the most commonly known developmental disorders in children, but its symptoms aren’t always obvious. Usually beginning in early childhood, the signs of autism spectrum disorder can appear as difficulty in social communication but vary widely. In this episode, Dr. Joshua Ewen, a pediatric neurologist and neurodevelopmental pediatric…

More children are being prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses than ever before to help correct myopia or nearsightedness, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. In this episode, Drs. Noreen Shaikh and Magdalena Stec, pediatric optometrists and co-directors of the Myopia Clinic at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, ta…

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and may cause children to be overly active and have a tough time paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors. But there are effective treatments and ways to manage symptoms and help children with the disorder thrive. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Spencer, a child and ad…

Food allergies are one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, and several studies have suggested that food allergies have increased dramatically over the past several decades. Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a Luire Children’s physician, food allergy researcher, and food allergy mom, who has been at the forefront of improving childhood and adult allergi…

Anxiety disorders are on the rise in children and teens, but there are resources and evidence-based treatments to help kids who are struggling lead productive, happy lives. In this episode, two Lurie Children’s experts, child and adolescent psychologist John Parkhurst, PhD, and clinical social worker Mallory Hilliard, LCSW, CADC, explain the signs,…

Firearms are the number one cause of death for kids in the United States. It’s a startling statistic that Lurie Children’s physician and mass shooting survivor, Dr. Emily Lieberman, wants to change. This episode covers the importance of secure gun and ammunition storage to help prevent accidental and intentional shootings, the mental health impact …

Exposure to lead at a young age can disrupt brain development, making lead intoxication a serious health concern. But lead lurks in many places and knowing where it may be hiding and how to protect children from exposure is important. Dr. Helen Binns, a pediatrician and director of the Lead Evaluation Program at Lurie Children's, specializes in car…

It's never too early or too late to talk with children about the dangers of substance use. In this episode, Dr. Mariah Rahmandar, a Lurie Children’s attending physician in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's and the Medical Director of the Substance Use and Prevention Program, discusses how parents can help preve…

For families with dogs or who spend time around them, understanding dog behavior is essential to the safety of both children and pets. Kelly Ballantyne, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist, addresses the potential risks of having dogs in the home and offers tips for avoiding negative encounters, especially dog bites. This episode offers a comprehe…

Reading and interactive learning can have a profound impact on a child's brain development. Dr. Mariana Glusman, Attending Physician in Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care at Lurie Children’s, shares how parents can nurture their children’s cognitive, emotional and social development through meaningful, engaging interactions at home. As a …

The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on a growing mental health crisis in the United States, impacting a record number of teens and many younger children, too. In this episode, Lurie Children’s pediatric psychiatrist, Aron Janssen, MD, shares ways parents, communities and healthcare providers can give kids the support they need. Dr. Janssen is the Vice…

Concussions have a major impact on the daily lives of millions of children each year. In this episode, Jaqueline Turner, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, discusses the importance of concussion prevention and management for young patients and offers insights into rule changes in youth spo…

The hosts of Kids' Health Matters, Dr. Nina Alfieri and Dr. Rob Sanchez, talk about what you can expect on upcoming epsiodes of the show. Alfieri and Sanchez are both pediatricians at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and new parents. Get to know this doctor duo and some of the topics they plan to cover during the first season of…

Find out more about Kids' Health Matters, a podcast for parents and caregivers from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.By Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago