Anonymous wrote:I have one daughter who is perfectly healthy outside of seasonal allergies and likely an ADHD diagnosis down the line. I don't consider either of those health issues, though. I also have another daughter who passed away at two weeks old from a congential heart defect. Due to my work in the CHD community, I know quite a few people with health issues. Just because you aren't aware doesn't mean you don't know anyone.

Very helpful perspective. Not every diagnosis is a crisis. Some really are.

Mine were both very healthy in childhood, daughter diagnosed at 17 with a treatable non life threatening issue, son hit mood and attention issues at 14 and will likely be given an ADD diagnosis soon, and is now on antidepressants and in therapy. So our children's health issues came in adolescence. You're not alone op.

Anonymous wrote:I have one daughter who is perfectly healthy outside of seasonal allergies and likely an ADHD diagnosis down the line. I don't consider either of those health issues, though. I also have another daughter who passed away at two weeks old from a congential heart defect. Due to my work in the CHD community, I know quite a few people with health issues. Just because you aren't aware doesn't mean you don't know anyone.

I'm so sorry, PP.

I have one daughter who is perfectly healthy outside of seasonal allergies and likely an ADHD diagnosis down the line. I don't consider either of those health issues, though. I also have another daughter who passed away at two weeks old from a congential heart defect. Due to my work in the CHD community, I know quite a few people with health issues. Just because you aren't aware doesn't mean you don't know anyone.

Anonymous wrote:The incidence of childhood allergies and asthma are increasing. The incidence of ADHD is (probably) increasing and the incidence of autism, both mild and severe, is increasing (at least severe autism is increasing). The incidence of autoimmune diseases including diabetes in children (and adults) is increasing. Etc.

It's all pretty alarming. My kids have food allergies. Neither my husband nor I have any and growing up I don't remember my friends having them either.

The incidence of childhood allergies and asthma are increasing. The incidence of ADHD is (probably) increasing and the incidence of autism, both mild and severe, is increasing (at least severe autism is increasing). The incidence of autoimmune diseases including diabetes in children (and adults) is increasing. Etc.

I never had a health issue until horrible period cramps (which I never saw a doctor for, I was told to suck it up). I don't think I had any additional medical concerns until I hit my late 30s.

I have no idea, but certainly many have something is a problem or potential problem but does not require treatment or significantly interfere with day to day life. My child has a rare skeletal growth disorder that in his case just causes crooked fingers and a slightly lifetime increased risk of bone cancer. We're fortunate, since some children with the disorder cannot even walk. I'm sure there are many conditions like this - both physical and mental - in which the consequences can vary from mild to severe.

Or sorry so to answer your question about 75% would have no conditions I knew of.

I taught a lot of years. If I think back, in a class of 25 I would usually have 2 with more significant disabilities and 2 with moderate disabilities and then maybe another 2 with mild disabilities or conditions. That I knew of. So about 25% of the class?

Anonymous wrote:I think many kids have something but usually it's pretty mild and doesn't affect quality of life. What kind of things do mean though? What is a health issue?

I have a kid with eczema that was pretty severe as an infant/toddler and still flares up as a teen and we manage it.

Most people who know us would never know about it. I don't mention it and it doesn't really affect life.

Yeah, like anything chronic that you have to treat and may be a source of stress. Like asthma, food allergies, developmental stuff like speech delays, ADHD or autism. Frequent cavities?

My kids have ADHD. One of my kids has asthma that is mild. One of my kids has a genetic disease that is invisible but affects him.

Many of their friends have something - allergies, ADHD, food allergies or intolerances. Some of their friends are healthy (as far as I know), some have parents who do not do anything about issues (which seem to be small so it seems fine for them to do nothing).

In answer to your question, kids these days do have more allergies and more things going on - but they are still overall reasonably healthy.

I think many kids have something but usually it's pretty mild and doesn't affect quality of life. What kind of things do mean though? What is a health issue?

I have a kid with eczema that was pretty severe as an infant/toddler and still flares up as a teen and we manage it.

Most people who know us would never know about it. I don't mention it and it doesn't really affect life.

Most? Mine (knock on wood) have no health issues. Can't think of any that do, but again people may not be sharing. Not sure what you're looking for really. Anecdotes won't help, maybe you can find some statistics

My kids (5 and 2) both have some chronic health issues and while it's all manageable and nothing too serious, it makes me kind of sad that they have to deal with this stuff. It seems like they are in the minority and most kids that I come across don't have to deal with much health-wise. But maybe the parents I talk to just don't share this stuff with me, who knows. How common do you think it is for kids to be perfectly healthy based on what you see?