The search for accurate, up-to-date pediatric health information online can be daunting. But these three websites, each with a different look and feel, are all top-notch resources where you can find answers to almost any imaginable question about your grandchild's health.
1. American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the gold standard for pediatric information, has developed an excellent — and growing — website for parents. On its site, the academy, which sets guidelines for much of the pediatric medical care offered in the U.S., has made its policy papers available in a way that's easily accessible by parents and grandparents.
At AAP's Parenting Corner, you can find seasonal tips, fact sheets on major medical conditions, articles from the quarterly magazine Healthy Children, and even one-minute radio segments on topics from baby tooth care to playground safety. Under Featured Resources, you can find up-to-date information about immunizations, car-seat safety, and other current topics. But perhaps the most valuable tool on the AAP's site is its alphabetized, searchable Children’s Health Topics index. Just start typing the name of a childhood illness and a wealth of information appears instantly.
2. Children's Hospital Boston
Children's Hospital Boston is a pediatric hospital associated with the Harvard Medical School. Not surprisingly, the family-centered information found on its website is well organized, well researched, and easy to navigate.
Jump to the For Patients and Families section and scroll down to the Health and Wellness heading on the left-hand side of the page. From there, you can browse countless researched articles on childhood illnesses and research medical conditions and terminology in a virtual encyclopedia. You can also view video segments featuring nationally recognized pediatricians discussing child-health issues from overstuffed school backpacks to the risks of plastic baby bottles.
While the site isn't cluttered by advertisements, it does feature graphics and information particular to its Boston-area patient population. But none of this will distract from your navigation of the hospital's general medical information.
3. Virtual Visit to Dr. Greene
Dr. Alan Greene, a member of the Stanford University School of Medicine faculty, founded this site 13 years ago and has nurtured it into a reliable pediatric resource. This well-designed pages make it easy to find user-friendly tips on topics from prenatal health to growing pains.
The Health Topics section offers an index of short articles on childhood illnesses and issues and an illustrated pediatric encyclopedia covers a wide range of material including medical tests and surgeries. The site also offers access to Dr. Greene's audio and video podcasts. One slight drawback: It does feature advertising banners at the top of many pages, which can be distracting to visitors.
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