Our Top 10 Posts of 2016

It is time, once again, to reflect on the last year and thank the many contributors to 700 Children’s (we added 57 new authors in 2016!) and the hundreds of thousands of readers who come here for informative, evidence-based content. Thank you for turning to us as a trusted resource for pediatric health-care information.

We all know time flies and, frankly, we’re surprised flies weren’t included in the top 10 posts, because a lot of other bugs were! Many of the titles on this list had to do with insects. We hope revisiting this top 10 doesn’t make you too itchy.

1. 5 Things You Need to Know About Zika Virus

   It was still winter when the world started talking about mosquitoes and the threat of Zika virus – especially the risk to pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant.

2. Bed Bugs 101

   Are you scratching yet? Five Ohio cities made the list of “The Top 15 Cities Where Bed Bugs Bite.” This is not an honor we’re proud of.

3. Cicadas: They’re Baaack!

   As if Ohio didn’t have it bad enough with bed bugs, many areas around the state heard the familiar buzz of Brood V cicadas again this year. Thankfully, there will be 16 years before we’ll hear it again!

4. Flat Feet: Why Kids Should Go Barefoot This Summer

   In a safe environment, bare feet can help the development of the medial plantar arch. Our physical therapist, Jessica Brock, encouraged parents to let their children’s feet be free!

5. Teens and Pregnancy: 10 Things They Don’t Teach You in Sex Ed

   Discussing sex with adolescents and teens isn’t always easy, but this handy list gave parents the opportunity to open up about the importance of knowing the facts.

6. What You Need to Know About Super Lice

   Did you think we were finished talking about bugs? Not yet! This was a “superbug” unlike any we had ever seen and, in our opinion, not so super!

7. Cough Talk: What Does All That Hacking Mean

   ‘Tis the season for giving and receiving – germs. This post told us what all those barks, whoops and hacks mean.

8. Car Seat Conundrums – You Asked, We Answered

   We asked on Facebook for car seat questions, and boy did you have some! Thanks to our expert for answering them all.

9. Is Strength Training Safe for Kids?

   It turns out, even young people don’t have an excuse to skip the gym!

10. Dear Santa, Take Magnet Toys Off Your List

    Published just a few weeks ago, this post has already received a lot of attention, detailing the dangers of what magnets can do if they are swallowed.

From the Nationwide Children’s family to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy 2017 and we hope that next year’s list is bug-free!