Infant, Toddler and Child Health Sourcebook, 1st Ed.

The early years of a child’s life plays a vital role in determining her or his physical, mental, and social well-being. In spite of the advancements in medical science and technology, critical threats to infant, toddler, and child health exist in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 22,000 infants died in the United States in 2017. Birth defects are considered to be one of the major causes of infant mortality. The other causes include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), injuries, preterm birth, and maternal pregnancy complications. The well-being of infants, toddlers, and children determine the future of the nation. So, it is important to ensure that every child grows in a safe, secure, and healthy environment.

Infant, Toddler and Child Health Sourcebook, First Edition discusses the basics of newborn health. It provides information about child development milestones and explains how to seek medical help when a child faces developmental concerns. Various diseases and conditions that affect infants, toddlers, and children are discussed in detail along with their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It talks about nutrients required for the healthy weight gain and the mealtime routine for infants and toddlers. Information about medicines and vaccines is provided and commonly asked questions about the vaccines are answered. It explains how physical activities can help children stay healthy. It also provides tips for the safety of children in home and community. The book concludes with a glossary of terms related to infant, toddler, and child health and a directory of resources for further help and support.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part 1: An Overview of Infant, Toddler, and Child Health discusses the basics of newborn health and explains how the health and vital signs of a newborn are assessed. It highlights the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding and gives details about newborn medications and vaccination.

Part 2: Child Development Milestones discusses the basics of development in children. It provides an overview of speech, language, social, and emotional developments. It also explains how to seek medical help when a child faces developmental concerns. 

Part 3: Diseases and Conditions among Infants and Toddlers (Ages 0 to 3) provides information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases and disorders that affect infants and toddlers of 0 to 3 years of age including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, common cold, flu, pertussis etc. It also talks about several birth defects such as anophthalmia, cleft lip and cleft palate, congenital heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, microcephaly, omphalocele, and so on.

Part 4: Diseases and Conditions among Children (Ages 4 to 11) offers information about the about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases among children of 4 to 11 years of ages including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), childhood mental disorders, febrile seizures, hearing loss, language and speech disorders, rubella, vision loss, and many more.

Part 5: Bringing up Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Ages 0 to 3) explains how to take care of infants and toddlers of 0 to 3 years of age. The nutrients required for the healthy weight gain and the mealtime routine for infants and toddlers are discussed. Information about medicines and vaccines is provided and commonly asked questions about the vaccines are answered.

Part 6: Bringing Up Healthy Children (Ages 4 to 11) focuses on the health and welfare of children of 4 to 11 years of age. It gives information on how to keep children away from oral health issues and food allergy. It gives an insight into the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. It also explains how physical activities can help children stay healthy.

Part 7: Safety in the Home and Community explains how to provide a safe environment for infants, toddlers, and children. It talks about child abuse and outlines its impact on the physical and mental health of the children. It also explains how to protect children from lead and carbon monoxide poisoning. Information about food safety, road safety, sun safety, and water safety is provided. 

Part 8: Additional Information includes a glossary of terms related to infant, toddler, and child health and a directory of resources for further help and support.