![empty school desk classroom blue chair tan desk and silver metal](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Empty-School-Desk-Classroom-Student.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=iR7GrHqY)
Health Lab
2 in 3 children in study missed school following discharge, with absences averaging 2 weeks; more than half of primary caregivers missed work.
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Health Lab
After a long, difficult journey with complex congenital heart disease, Valentina is making new memories with her family.
![women pushing shopping cart with gifts falling out in yellow and red](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/children-christmas-holidays-stress-parenting.jpg?h=2d703ee9&itok=87py9ajt)
Health Lab
National Poll: 1 in 4 parents admit they set overly idealistic expectations, and mothers are twice as likely to be stressed by preparations.
![Doctor smiling by bed near baby with tubes](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Doctor-Smiling-Baby-Tubes-Bed.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=1C1CCYqd)
Health Lab
A renowned expert in the field for 40 years discusses the surgical advancements the changed the trajectory of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
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Health Lab
Study suggests racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity rates up to a year after delivery, higher risk for those with anxiety and depression.
![Father and son laying on floor reading a book together](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Father-Son-Reading-Book-Floor.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=WQdmqJLq)
Health Lab
New research shows that traditional print books foster more quality engagement and interaction between parents than digital books.
![Chloe and doctor making strong arms, pink jacket and doctor in Michigan jacket with masks.](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Girl-Man-Masks-Ohio-Michigan.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=fe3vuPfx)
Health Lab
Michigan Medicine doctors help 5-year-old Chloe Moser and her parents during her fourth major heart surgery at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
![boy falling in air with pink background of glucometer and syringes](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Boy-Falling-T1D-Glucometer-Syringe.png?h=bfaa3d24&itok=6D9Rz779)
Health Lab
In type 1 diabetes, new research identifies critical ways to improve blood sugar management across different demographic groups.
![two adult heads on right and left close up looking worried with sweat dripping off left person's head while child sits on top of toy pile busy with electronics instead](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/thanksgiving-kids-parents-spoiled-indulgent.jpg?h=2d703ee9&itok=zOQpZx5P)
Health Lab
Four in five parents say children today aren’t as thankful as they should be, and more than half worry that they overindulge them.
![baby with stethoscope on heart](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Baby-Doctor-Stethoscope-Mother-Heartbeat.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=UvM55c8D)
Health Lab
Researchers look at whether the type of surgical shunt used in newborns with complex heart disease makes a difference by the time they’re adolescents.
![stethoscope on heart of orange shirt close up](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Hand-Stethoscope-Child-Chest-Heartbeat.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=RVrQgbUc)
Health Lab
A third of children and adolescents who underwent a complex procedure for a severe congenital heart condition were identified as frail.
![Child sitting with parent on couch socializing while watching show](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/children-parents-television-socioeconomic-income.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=Y9bmlQTR)
Health Lab
A new study suggests that talking with children during TV time may help stimulate overall curiosity and aid in early childhood development.
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Michigan Answers Podcast
Jenny Radesky, M.D. joins us to help sort through myths and facts associated with the most searched questions about autism.
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Health Lab
Kids 5-11 are now eligible for Pfizer’s COVID vaccine. Pediatric experts share answers to parents’ questions as they consider vaccinating their child.
![child in yellow shirt sitting looking down on arm with blue mask on and nurse with globes putting band-aid on](https://www.michiganmedicine.org/sites/default/files/styles/card/public/blog/Mask-Child-Nurse-Gloves-Bandage.jpg?h=bfaa3d24&itok=xtDOnedT)
Health Lab
Now that kids are eligible to get the COVID vaccine, it’s important to prepare them for what comes next, and to help manage fear of needles. Use these five expert tips to get your child ready to get their shot.