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A very smart 7-year-old girl in my practice has difficulty taking timed tests in school. Also, she is able to spell complicated words but sometimes has problems spelling simple words, such as "the," and may spell the word backward. What could explain these difficulties?

The father of two siblings in my practice—a 7-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy—is upset by the fact that their mother (from whom he is divorced) showers with the two children together. At what age is it no longer appropriate for a parent to shower with a child of the opposite sex, and for two opposite-sex siblings to shower or bathe together?

For the past few months, a 2-year-old in my practice has been smearing stool on herself and her crib almost every time she has a bowel movement. What can help stop this behavior?

Uptick in Medicare payments, threat to cut Medicaid reimbursement, and a possible booster dose of varicella vaccine

It's dark now when I go to work and dark when I drive home. But my home has walls and a roof, and it's warm.

How many times have you been frustrated trying to open a crying newborn's eye to evaluate red reflexes?

An index of articles in Contemporary Pediatrics in 2004, by author and by subject.

Gambling among youth is an underrecognized problem. To prevent serious consequences of this activity over the short term and during adulthood, the authors recommend that you screen patients for a gambling habit and refer those in whom you uncover cause for concern.

Hunger, sex education, and the hunt for more flu vaccine

Traumatic brain injury affects virtually every aspect of the patient's-and family's-life. Here's what to expect in the aftermath and how to help the family deal with the often overwhelming demands of rehabilitation and return to home and community.

Concern about fever can lead parents—and health-care providers—to overmonitor and overtreat this common symptom. Accurate advice to parents begins with a clear understanding of fever on your part.

Concern about fever can lead parents—and health-care providers—to overmonitor and overtreat this common symptom. Accurate advice to parents begins with a clear understanding of fever on your part.

An 11-year-old girl reports that she has experienced genital itching and pain for several months. The pain is especially intense when she wipes herself after urinating.

This 15-year-old girl does not appear to be in any acute distress, but her cautious gait reminds you of a person walking in the dark.

The editors of Contemporary Pediatrics thank the esteemed professionals who serve on our Behavior: Ask the Experts panel. At the start of this new year, we share their names with you.

Q A 15-year-old girl in my practice routinely comes across pornographic materials at her father's house when she goes for a visitation (her parents divorced recently). She has asked her mother not to speak to her father about this because she doesn't want him to know she is snooping. What advice should I give the mother to deal with this uncomfortable situation?

In November 2004, the British government announced a comprehensive campaign to address major health threats to the country's population. Their efforts raise a question: Where does the role of the physician stop and the responsibility of society begin?