Welcome to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital

Step inside Palmetto Health Children's Hospital and you'll immediately know you are surrounded by people who have dedicated their lives to caring for children. You'll find kid friendly features everywhere and a skilled team of pediatric professionals all located under one roof and sharing one goal — to provide coordinated, compassionate care to South Carolina's children and their families.

Every detail has been carefully considered so that you can focus on your child's well-being while a team of pediatric experts takes care of your child's medical needs. The state's first freestanding Children's Hospital offers family-centered patient rooms, playrooms. Family spaces make it easy for parents to stay close to their children throughout hospital stays and during outpatient treatments.   

This hospital, through the eyes of children, was designed as a bright, happy place that feels like home.

Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the Dixie Youth "O" Zone World Series! The games will be held July 31 – August 5. Don't miss the opening ceremonies this Friday, at 7 p.m. Visit http://ozone2010.com/ for more information.

News and Events

Children's Hospital Reminds Parents that Energy Drinks May Cause Harmful Side Effects for Children and Teens Especially During Summer Heat

Many children and teens are choosing energy drinks as part of their daily diet. Palmetto Health Children's Hospital reminds parents that these beverages might not be the best option for children and teens and can cause harmful effects especially in summer months.

Beverages marketed as energy drinks can contain excessive amounts of caffeine and other stimulants, which could be very harmful to a child.

• A typical cup of coffee has about 100 mg. of caffeine
• A caffeinated soft drink contains approximately 40 mg of caffeine.
• Most popular energy drinks contain between 200 and 500 mgs. of caffeine.

Because these stimulant drinks are largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is not possible to know the exact quantities of caffeine and other ingredients used and the effects they may cause. Elizabeth Mack, M.D., a pediatric critical care intensivist at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital says, "A child may mistakenly drink these beverages for hydration, but could end up ingesting significant amounts of caffeine. This may be detrimental to their health during intense exercise, especially during the summer."

Energy drinks, although packaged in smaller cans and bottles than regular soft drinks, often are concentrated with stimulants and sometimes contain two or more servings per container. Teens may ingest these drinks without realizing the potential danger. Even mild caffeine toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, hypertension, accelerated heartbeat and tremors. Dr. Mack advises, "My recommendation is that parents do not allow their children to use these stimulant containing energy drinks because there are safer alternatives."