Blog Archive

In the cooler months, when kids enjoy more indoor activities, viruses also tend to thrive. The inevitable result is the transmission of respiratory illnesses ranging from mild to severe. Most healthy school-age children have little risk from colds, influenza, and Covid-19, particularly when available immunizations are up-to-date.  Recognizing what’s making...

The fancy name is a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE), but you probably know it better as a sports physical if you have a child or teen involved in organized sports at school or in a league. The PPE is often a requirement of enrollment.  There are differences between an annual...

Your child has protection from some diseases when they’re born because immunity for these is passed down from the mother. Breastfeeding provides additional antibodies, but there remain plenty of health risks from infectious disease that can be prevented.  This protection comes in the form of vaccination. Dr 2 Kids, Smita...

Guarding against your child’s asthma attacks is all about triggers, knowing what they are and how best to avoid them. It takes experience and time to recognize the factors that start asthma attacks as well as trial and error to determine the most effective way to control these episodes.  Dr...

Sore throats are common, often caused by the same viruses that give your child cold and flu symptoms. Not all infections have viral origins though, and the streptococci bacteria also can cause sore throats, commonly called strep throat.  We regularly treat children for strep throat at Dr 2 Kids, Smita...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the incidence of autism is on the rise, affecting 2.8% of 8-year-old children in a 2023 analysis, up half a percentage point from 2018.  The CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program recognizes the importance of uncovering the signs of...

When your child wakes up complaining of yet another sore throat, you may wonder if their tonsils are to blame. In the past, tonsillectomy, or tonsil removal, was a common solution for children with recurrent sore throats. These days, we generally only perform tonsillectomies when they’re absolutely necessary. Dr 2...

A child’s growth has its unpredictable elements along with normal development milestones. Body weight is one of those fluctuating aspects that may seem difficult to gauge what’s normal. A child who appears overweight may be due for a growth spurt that returns normal proportions to their body.  Continued weight gain...

The effects of acne can be more than skin-deep for kids in their adolescent years. Breakouts and blackheads may impact your teen’s self-confidence and even lead to bullying, no matter how common the condition may be among their peers. In severe cases, bullying and low self-esteem due to chronic acne...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

Autism causes a range of symptoms affecting a child’s ability to communicate verbally and nonverbally and to relate themselves to others and the physical world, keeping them from thinking and acting in a flexible way.  These effects typically emerge in early childhood, and prompt intervention helps a child’s ability to...

It doesn’t matter to most teens that acne is a common skin condition tied to the hormonal changes of adolescence. It comes at a time when they start to place emphasis on their personal appearance, and for some, the blackheads and pimples of acne can be devastating.  As a parent,...

While we think of the winter months as cold and flu season, it’s also prime time for conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. Stemming from bacterial or viral infections, the condition causes redness, itchiness, and irritation. Pink eye, though, rarely interferes with your vision.  Conjunctivitis is contagious, and it shares...

It’s cold and flu season, so when your child comes down with a sore throat, it’s easy to assume it’s the onset of a respiratory infection. While some illnesses come and go, slowing your child for a bit before moving on, not all sore throats are of the harmless variety. ...

The average American child eats about twice as much sugar as recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), amounting to about 50 pounds of sugar annually. That’s 60 grams a day of processed sugar, and it doesn’t include naturally occurring sugars in fruit, juice, or milk.  That makes...

As pediatric allergy specialists, the team at Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD are well-versed in diagnosis and treatment of the allergic reactions from which your child may suffer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost one in five American children suffers from seasonal allergies and...

It’s tough when you’re young to gather the words to describe how you’re feeling. As a parent, it’s not likely your child will tell you outright that they’ll have a concussion. Instead, you may hear, “I feel funny” or “I don’t feel right.” They may not connect the way they feel...

Sometimes, childhood seems like a near-endless progression of sore throats and runny noses. While your child often seems to shrug off these minor ailments, there’s one type of sore throat that requires more diligence.  Caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat isn’t associated with respiratory infections like the common cold or...

When your child has acne, the process behind the blemishes is known. Skin oils and cells mix and plug up hair follicles. Why certain kids suffer more than others isn’t as clear. Controlling acne also varies from person to person.  One thing that is clear is that there are many...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 13 million Americans experience human papillomavirus (HPV) infection annually, including those in their teens. What’s more, 85% of unvaccinated sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives.  Though there are over 100 varieties of HPV, most...

Every child on the autism spectrum carries a unique set of characteristics that define the challenges they may face, and these often emerge early in life, typically before their third birthday. At this age, your child’s brain is still developing and open to change, more than it will be when...

Over 5 million American children have asthma, a lung condition that narrows airways and makes breathing difficult. Though treatable, asthma is often unpredictable when you’re learning about your child’s response to triggers and the patterns of their attacks. An important management tool is an asthma action plan.  Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon,...

It’s winter and the middle of the cold and flu season, though now it could be called the cold, flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. When your child shows symptoms like coughing, runny nose, fever, and more, it’s no longer easy to dismiss these signs as a harmless childhood illness.  The...

Protecting a child from harmful parts of life is a desire of virtually every parent. Some go to great lengths to childproof their homes to guard against accidents or prevent poisoning. Yet there are still some parents confused about the myths and facts surrounding routine childhood vaccinations.  The Centers for...

While anyone can fall victim to the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes that causes strep throat, children and teens tend to develop the condition more easily. Noted for its fast onset without other symptoms that typically accompany respiratory illnesses like a cold or the flu, strep throat can be very painful and...

Food allergies provoke an immune system response that can produce symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. Children can develop food allergies at any age and, in some cases, they can outgrow them too.  The only treatment for food allergies is to avoid the foods that disturb the immune system and...

While we take respiratory illnesses like the common cold for granted, the events of the last few years have raised awareness of how dangerous some of these viral infections can be. Pediatric flu shots are an important part of keeping your family protected.  Both the very young and very old...

Rough and tumble play is an often normal part of growing up. When your child participates in certain sports, the risk of concussion may be higher, but any child may suffer this brain injury through a fall, bump, or motion that affects the brain. They don’t need to lose consciousness to experience...

When your child complains of a sore throat, it’s probably due to a common respiratory infection like a cold. There are other symptoms then too, like the sniffles, tiredness, and a transition from wellness to illness over a couple days.  Strep throat, though, is the most common cause of bacterial...

While the reason acne blemishes form is no secret, it remains a mystery why some people are more affected than others. When your acne is worse than your friends’ or classmates’, it can be an embarrassing condition that makes you feel self-conscious.  Equally frustrating can be the struggle to find...

Predicting how an asthma diagnosis will affect your child’s life is difficult in the early stages, because the condition varies widely from person to person. The intensity and frequency of asthma attacks have no pattern between children, and these can change as your child gets older.  While asthma can be managed with...

Sore throats sometimes seem to cycle endlessly for some children, like ear infections and perpetually runny noses. Though it’s common for a child to complain when their throat hurts, there are times when you shouldn’t simply dismiss it as another bug that’s making the rounds.  Strep throat is an infection caused...

Since vaccination for chickenpox started in the United States, cases have fallen by 90% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that fewer children are at risk of serious complications such as:  Dehydration Pneumonia Sepsis Encephalitis Reye’s syndrome (when aspirin is taken during a chickenpox outbreak)\ Toxic shock syndrome...

Blackheads and whiteheads, pimples and spots. Acne is a common problem for children reaching adolescence. It’s estimated that around 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience some level of acne outbreak.  As your child’s body becomes a factory for the hormones that drive the push toward...

Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon, MD, is proud to be an active teaching clinic, helping to train the next cycle of pediatricians in a real world setting. As clinical professor of pediatrics at University of California Irvine and associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Midwestern University, Arizona, and Touro University,...

Over 6 million American children suffer from asthma, with more than half of them suffering attacks in any given year. The disease causes narrowing airways, making breathing difficult and producing the characteristic wheeze that many patients experience during asthma episodes.  Without a management plan in place, uncontrolled asthma attacks can...

Strep throat is a sudden and painful illness that’s also contagious. Fortunately, most sore throats are viral, but children between the ages of 5 and 15 are more likely to fall victim to the bacteria that cause strep throat.  While it’s likely that your child’s immune system can clear up...

Estimates suggest that over six million American children have asthma and more than half of them have had attacks in the past year. Asthma is the leading cause of both emergency room visits and hospital stays for children under 15-years-old. Though deaths are rare among children, asthma can be life-threatening. ...

While people of any age can develop acne, it’s a common problem through the teen years, as your child goes through the changes of adolescence. While the process of acne is understood, it’s not known why some children have more severe acne than others.  Regardless of the severity, there are...

Helping your child through allergies is all about providing the best quality of life. Sometimes, allergies are minor annoyances while other times they can be major and even life-threatening. Often connected to childhood asthma, allergies aren’t always permanent and many of the symptoms can be effectively controlled.  Early identification of...

Though the factors of acne are understood, it still isn’t fully known why some people are affected more than others. Although heredity plays a role, severe acne may be caused by a combination of risk factors creating a perfect storm of outbreak conditions.  Despite what is known about acne, many...

Asthma is the most common chronic disease suffered by children, with more than 5 million American kids affected. Asthma can cause breathing difficulties ranging from mild to severe. Managing your child’s asthma requires an understanding of their triggers, those substances and conditions that set an asthma attack into motion. Every...

Medical care for your child starts virtually at the moment of birth, and you likely have a history with pediatricians and primary care providers, chronicling your child’s development as they get older. And once they reach school age, sports and other participation forms usually begin to arrive home with them....

A large part of managing asthma is identifying and limiting your exposure to the conditions that can trigger asthma attacks. And while the warm, humid air of summer is the friend of many asthmatics, it can trigger issues in others. As a pediatric asthma specialist, Smita Tandon, MD, of Dr...

About 32 million Americans have food allergies, including 1 of every 13 children. So how can you know if your child has food allergies? And is there a way to help stop the emergence of a food allergy? The good news is that by introducing your child early to common...

Acne is very common, but this can be little consolation for children. And while the pimples may seem to be the primary problem, there may be a secondary issue as well. Acne often comes at a time when children start becoming concerned with their appearance and how they’re perceived by...

For some parents, having a child diagnosed with autism can be disconcerting, but it may not be unexpected. The patterns of behavior and social interaction may finally make sense. If you relate to this, you should know that nothing has changed. Your child is still the person you know and...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children. And having a painful UTI can make a child hesitant to go to the bathroom, which can lead them to hold their urine, which, in turn, can contribute to more UTIs. Fortunately, there are ways to help your child avoid UTIs by...

Children are no strangers to eye infections. And while eye infections are rarely serious in the United States, prompt treatment is important to minimize your child’s discomfort and to ease the spread of an infectious disease.  Smita Tandon, MD, at Dr 2 Kids in Fountain Valley, California, can quickly diagnose...

“My tummy hurts.” Most parents hear that more than once when their children are young. It can be difficult, however, to determine what’s causing the pain, particularly if a child is too young to articulate their discomfort in detail. Most pediatric abdominal pain passes in a few hours or a...

With the arrival of fall and winter, the flu season is upon us. And in a year that has already been plagued by the coronavirus, getting a flu shot is more important than ever. While most children won’t face major health consequences from either the influenza virus or the coronavirus,...

School and sports participation contribute to the social, intellectual, and physical development of children. They’re important parts of growing up. However, COVID-19 and the desire to avoid infection is likely at the top of your mind as schools all over the country resume operations as normally as possible. Getting your...

As the COVID-19 crisis hit, many parents stepped back from taking their children to their wellness exams due to the lockdowns. Because of this, many children have fallen behind on their immunization schedules.  At Dr 2 Kids in Fountain Valley, California, Smita Tandon, MD, wants you to know that it’s...

As acne specialists, Smita Tandon, MD, and her team at Dr 2 Kids in Fountain Valley, California, know the impact that blackheads and pimples can have on your teen as they struggle through the challenges of adolescence. Acne often hits just as maturing children start to focus on their appearance,...

Every parent wants their children to make the most of summer, enjoying beautiful weather, having fun with their friends, and making memories they’ll remember for a lifetime. Unfortunately, part of their time in the sun can result in an injury or two. Smita Tandon, MD, and her team at Dr...

Though the coronavirus pandemic has likely stirred up many of your routines, there’s one routine you shouldn’t forget about as the new school year approaches: the school physical. School physicals help ensure that your child is healthy and up to date on their vaccinations. The pediatricians at Smita Tandon, MD,...

When it comes to vaccines, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. As a parent, you want the best for your child, but it can be difficult to know what to do or where to turn. The bottom line is this: Vaccines work. They’re safe, and they prevent millions of...

Are you at risk? Do you have a fever AND respiratory symptoms like cough or shortness of breath? If No, you do not have COVID-19 and do not require testing. If Yes, continue: Have you had close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 or history of travel to an affected geographic area?...

The importance of physical activity for children is widely known. Participating in sports is a good way for children to channel their energy, have fun, and have a sense of accomplishment. Injuries, though, are part of the game. More than 2.6 million children suffer injuries each year while involved with...

According to the Novak Djokovic Foundation, the importance of sports for children is well documented. And if you’re a sports enthusiast yourself, you’re probably champing at the bit to get your child signed up for some kind of organized physical activity. Still, it’s necessary to consider whether or not your...

If you’re parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder, you know just how challenging it is. You may feel frustrated with tips and remedies that don’t work; you may question your capabilities as a parent; you may feel like giving up. But the important thing to realize is that autism...

The health and safety of your child is your first priority — and ours. Unfounded fears about vaccines are causing more and more parents to leave their children unprotected, and with them, others who are already vulnerable. Knowing the facts about childhood vaccinations can set your mind at ease about...

About three in 10 children with a sore throat have strep throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are many reasons why your child’s throat may hurt, such as the common cold, various viruses, or the flu. How is a parent to know when a...

It’s nothing new — teens have been battling acne forever. But how they cope with the inevitable breakouts has changed quite a bit. From over-the-counter products to prescription medical systems, the multiple options may be overwhelming.  Smita Tandon, MD, and her staff in Fountain Valley can calm your concerns and...

Youth sports are great. They teach your little one the importance of teamwork, sharing, and sportsmanship. They’re also a perfect way to spend time outside, get in those recommended 60 minutes of exercise, and — hopefully — burn off a little bit of your child’s endless energy. With that in...

As of July 17, 2019, the California Department of Public Health had reported 60 cases of measles. That’s the most since the outbreak of 2015 when 131 Californians were infected. And throughout the U.S., more than 750 cases have been reported. If you’re concerned about your family’s health and safety,...

If you’ve had kids, you know the drill: They run a fever, maybe have a runny nose, and start pulling at their ears. It’s time for a trip to the doctor’s office to get some antibiotics to fight yet another ear infection. Ear infections are practically a rite of passage...

There’s hardly a school today -- elementary, middle, or high school level -- that would allow a student athlete to start their season without being given a a medically-approved thumbs up to play their sport of choice. The sports physical, or pre-participation exam (PPE), is now a rite of passage...

Vaccines—also known as immunizations—are an essential part of childhood. It used to be taken for granted that all children would receive their vaccinations against diseases like measles, mumps, polio, and pertussis, but that is no longer the case. A growing movement of parents is saying no to vaccinating their children,...

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a brain disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. This developmental disability is characterized by social, behavioral, and communication challenges. Symptoms vary greatly from child to child, but common signs of autism are limited eye contact, lack of facial expression, and making repetitive...

When it comes to allergies of any kind, kids suffer more than adults, with 40% of American kids diagnosed with allergies as opposed to 30% of adults. And these numbers have been steadily rising over the last few decades, especially when it comes to food allergies. Here at our pediatric...