Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme necessary for normal phosphate metabolism found in several different tissues in your body. Circulating blood levels of the enzyme change with age as well as a variety of medical conditions.

Everyone needs a certain amount of sleep to maintain health, but growing children need more sleep than adults. The amount of time children should sleep is loosely based on age but also on a child’s individual needs.

The appearance of brown teeth in your toddler can be unsettling, especially if the discoloration is accompanied by additional symptoms such as pain, fussiness or crying. Brown teeth can be a sign of mild to severe tooth problems. Some tooth discoloration requires the care of a dentist.

Whether your toddler is unadventurous with food or has a medical condition that prevents him from eating well, getting children to eat a balanced diet isn’t always simple. Giving your 1-year-old vitamins can help ensure that your toddler gets all of the nutrients he needs to grow properly.

Because toddlers tend to drag their feet when they walk, rarely watch where they are going and are often without thick-soled shoes, they are prone to splinters in their feet. Aside from some pain and a small risk of infection, most splinters are not cause for alarm and are treatable at home.

Treatment of toddler wheezing depends largely on the underlying cause. Wheezing is a symptom, not a disease. Viral respiratory infections are the most common cause, followed by childhood asthma, notes the parenting site BabyCenter. Colds, allergies and other illnesses also trigger wheezing.

Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, but the situation can become even worse when children are cutting their molars and chewing becomes painful.

As a parent, watching your child become ill after a fun activity such as swimming can lead to worry and anxiety. Most of the time, vomiting after swimming resolves within a few hours, although vomiting that persists can lead to complications such as dehydration.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that it’s fine to give your 1-year-old orange juice, but stick to a serving a day. Even the pickiest toddler has a hard time resisting the sweet taste of orange juice, and it can provide your little one with a boost of essential vitamins and minerals.

If your pediatrician has recommended that your toddler take a multivitamin, then it is crucial for you to pick the best vitamin you can find. Part of choosing the best multivitamin will depend on your budget and your toddler’s taste buds.

Toddlers can be picky about food. Even a child who likes a wide variety of foods may decide he wants to eat one particular food, eggs for example, for days on end.

Your toddler needs healthy foods to grow and develop, but you can offer sweet treats once in awhile. Chocolate is a safe dessert option for your toddler, as long as you are aware of the potential effects of too much caffeine and sugar.