Healthy Kids Zone

For new parents, it can be hard to keep your child’s vaccines straight. When do they get DTAP? What is MMR? Does my child really need all of these shots? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, has the answers about vaccines for kids—from birth to college. On this episode of The Basics, learn more about recommended vaccines, when they should be received, and how to ensure your kid grows up with the maximu...

Newborns make a lot of strange movements and exhibit unexpected behaviors during the first year of life. They can startle at nothing, suck at the air, cross their eyes, breathe funny, and more. New parents may be a little worried about what is and isn’t normal. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, explains the most common reflexes seen in newborns and how to identify whether or not they're something wo...

As a parent, you have seen commercials saying you need to give your kid chewable vitamins or special, expensive supplement drinks for them to grow and develop properly. Do children really need supplements? Probably not. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why even the pickiest eater is probably getting enough of their daily vitamins and minerals without the need for additional supplements.

New parents may be surprised at just how often their baby cries. It is their main form of communication after all. Hungry, bored, in need of a diaper change, they will cry for many reasons - and often. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , goes over the basics of crying for parents. From newborn to teenager, learn how to understand your child’s crying and how best to respond with advice from an expert.

Many parents in the United States are scrambling to find baby formula. What are you supposed to do with a hungry baby at home and empty shelves at the store? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , shares how you can feed your baby and support other parents in this difficult time.

Sensory disorders in children have recently been added as an official psychiatric diagnosis and are estimated to impact as many as 15% of kids in the US. These conditions are marked by a significant sensitivity to sounds, textures, tastes, or brightness and can be quite disruptive to their behavior and development. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains why these conditions are on the rise, and...

Have you ever put a piece of clothing or jewelry on your child to have them break out in a rash or hives? It’s called contact dermatitis, and it’s more common than you may think. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains the condition and how you can treat and prevent those itchy rashes your kid may get with certain materials.

In general, kids do pretty well if they catch COVID-19 . But Cindy Gellner, MD , is seeing a significant number of kids experiencing symptoms from the disease for weeks if not months after the initial infection. The ongoing symptoms seem to impact children regardless of how severe their illness was. Learn more about long-haul COVID in your children and what you can do to prevent and treat the symp...

As a new parent, it’s important to you that your child meets all the expected developmental milestones, like walking and talking. But which milestones are backed by research, and how do you know if your kid is meeting expectations? Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , explains what the important milestones are, how to measure your child’s development, and when you should speak with a specialist.

Young kids can have all sorts of skin issues as they grow up, and Dr. Cindy Gellner, MD , and pediatrician, has seen them all. Learn the basics of diaper irritation, dry skin, eczema, and rashes that you should know as a parent and how you can treat many of them at home.

As a parent, your pediatrician can be your lifeline whenever you have a question about the health of your child. But what should you do when you have a pressing question or concern after-hours, and the clinic is closed? Cindy Gellner, MD , and pediatrician with University of Utah Health, shares the pressing circumstances when you should reach out to the on-call pediatrician and when it can wait un...

"What formula should I give my new baby?" "When should I start introducing other food groups?" "What do I do if my child only wants to eat junk food?" Parents have a lot of questions about the basics of feeding their child. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , covers The Basics .

Your child complains of constant dizzy spells or vertigo. Could it be a symptom of something serious? According to Pediatrician  Cindy Gellner, MD , dizziness is a pretty common condition—especially for adolescents. Learn more about the causes of dizziness in children and treatments that can help.

As a boy begins to mature, their body and mind go through a lot of changes. It can be tough not only for kids but for their parents too. From growth spurts - and the appetites to match - to strange smells to general moodiness, Dr. Cindy Gellner shares her expertise to prepare parents for raising a boy going through puberty.

Evidence shows that masks work at preventing the spread of COVID-19 . But could wearing a mask increase the amount of carbon dioxide your kid breathes during the day? Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner debunks this mask myth and explains the science behind the safe long-term use of masks—even for children.

Could your child have a learning disability? It’s a frequent question for pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner . Whether it be dyslexia, dyscalculia, or another learning disorder, identify the common signs to look for and when you should speak with your pediatrician about getting the help your child needs to succeed.

A lot of parents are concerned about keeping their kids safe during the COVID pandemic. Parents and teenagers may be vaccinated, but younger kids are not eligible to receive the shot yet. Is it safe to let them return to playdates? Should they be wearing masks? Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses current recommendations and considerations parents should take before letting their children return to play.

Most children—especially child athletes—will complain of heel pain at some point in their development. This may be an inflammatory condition called Sever’s Disease. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains why this common heel pain occurs during growth spurts and how you can help relieve your kid's foot pain.

A daughter’s first period marks her entry into womanhood. For a lot of parents—mothers in particular—this is also a time of new anxieties and concerns about their child’s health. Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what’s normal, what’s not, and what to expect now that your daughter has had her menarche.

Most parents have never thought about the difficult decision of whether or not you should donate your child’s organs when the unthinkable happens. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the potential benefits of pediatric organ donation and the considerations involved in the process.

Caring for the health and development of your child is a pediatrician’s top priority. This is especially true for children with a physical or developmental disability. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains the expanded role for parents and the considerations you should make to find the right doctor for your child with special needs.

With so many apps, it can be hard as a parent to keep track of all of them. If your child has a smartphone, it may be tricky to decipher what each app does. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner discusses the programs that may look harmless but are definitely not for children. Learn how to spot these dangerous apps and keep your kids safe.

Pandemic fatigue is the mental exhaustion that comes from the sustained increase of stress and uncertainty during the global pandemic of COVID-19 and it can impact children just as much as adults. With few signs of the world returning to normal soon, how can you keep your kids spirits up? Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what she’s seeing in her young patients and strategies you can use to help your lov...

Suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss with a teenager, but it is too important to ignore—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teen depression, self-harm, and suicide have seen a rise as teenagers are cut off from their sense of normal. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares her personal and professional experience with suicide, and the importance of checking in with your child and helping...

Animals can provide comfort, this is a fact. But an emotional support animal is not a pet or a service animal and requires specific training and certification. Some parents may think to request a letter from their child's pediatrician if the child has an emotional disability and a pet helps calm their symptoms—pediatrician Dr. Cindy Geller talks about the criteria for a diagnosis that qualifies yo...