Test Yourself: 20 Things Many Pediatricians Get Wrong

Andrew Adesman's Babyfacts sets parents straight on common health issues

February 18, 2009

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Are you smarter than a pediatrician? Test your knowledge of children's health and safety facts against the pros. When pediatrician Andrew Adesman quizzed his peers, he found that half of the pediatricians answered one quarter of the questions wrong. See if you can beat their score. Here are 20 situations that stumped the experts, gleaned from Adesman's new book, "Babyfacts" (Wiley, $15.95).

Sugar makes children hyperactive.
1. True
2. False
If you keep your baby awake during the day, he'll sleep soundly at night.
1. True
2. False
Newborns should be bathed daily.
1. True
2. False
Wounds need to air out at night to heal properly.
1. True
2. False
Over-the-counter cold remedies are safe, speed recovery, and achieve faster cures than letting a cold run its course.
1. True
2. False
Eating raw carrots will not improve a child's vision.
1. True
2. False
A fever of 104 degrees won't cause brain damage in a baby.
1. True
2. False
The best way to stop a bloody nose is to tilt the head back.
1. True
2. False
You should wash your newborn's clothing in special detergent.
1. True
2. False
Sitting close to the television won't damage a child's vision.
1. True
2. False
If a child has a seizure, place a spoon or a wallet in his mouth so he doesn't choke or swallow his tongue.
1. True
2. False
Treat a burn with butter or ice.
1. True
2. False
If your child can move an injured body part, it's not a broken bone.
1. True
2. False
After a bee sting, don't squeeze out the stinger for fear of injecting additional venom.
1. True
2. False
Shopping cart seats are the safest place to put a child.
1. True
2. False
No need to avoid spicy foods or alcohol if you are breast-feeding.
1. True
2. False
If your child has a cough and yellow or green mucus, he has an upper respiratory infection and should be treated with antibiotics.
1. True
2. False
It's never a good idea to heat a baby bottle in a microwave.
1. True
2. False
Co-sleeping is a bad idea; babies need to sleep in their own beds.
1. True
2. False
Putting a child to bed with a light on will damage his eyes.
1. True
2. False