Archive for Jessica Cerretani
Saving Laila: Family travels from Egypt for answers about rare genetic condition
When Aya Hendawy got off the plane that had brought her from Egypt to Boston, she didn’t linger in the airport or consider which tourist attractions to visit. Instead, she took a car directly to the Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital, her daughter Laila in tow. “I asked them to please try to save ... Read More about Saving Laila: Family travels from Egypt for answers about rare genetic condition
What it’s like to have SDR surgery: Scarlet’s story
Scarlet is 9 years old. When she was 7, she underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a procedure in which a surgeon cuts certain nerves that may contribute to leg spasticity related to cerebral palsy. We talked with Scarlet and her parents, Darcie and Tyler, about their experience in the Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity Center at ... Read More about What it’s like to have SDR surgery: Scarlet’s story
Trusting their instincts: Gary’s parents find help for immune-mediated hepatitis
For Mercedes Hollingsworth and Gary Walker, Jr., trusting their parental instincts helped get their son Gary Walker III — affectionately known as GW — the care he needed. “We knew right away that something wasn’t right,” she says. “He just wasn’t a happy newborn. He looked miserable all the time.” Mercedes, who also has an ... Read More about Trusting their instincts: Gary’s parents find help for immune-mediated hepatitis
Treating a ‘unicorn’: Norman’s incredible journey with vein of Galen malformation
Norman Flores is near the top of his class at his Montessori preschool. He can recognize a Tesla just from the car’s symbol. And he’s picked up an extensive vocabulary from his parents, Sarah and Erick, and older brother, Edward. When Sarah and Erick share these accomplishments, they’re not just being proud parents — they’re ... Read More about Treating a ‘unicorn’: Norman’s incredible journey with vein of Galen malformation
Groundbreaking research identifies noninvasive biomarker for moyamoya in children
Moyamoya is a rare blood vessel condition that has an outsized impact on children, as it is responsible for about 6 percent of pediatric strokes in the United States. Surgical revascularization is the only treatment and is very effective. However, clinicians face challenges in identifying new or worsening disease before a disabling stroke occurs, predicting ... Read More about Groundbreaking research identifies noninvasive biomarker for moyamoya in children
Predicting the best treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in kids: The power of machine learning
The result of abnormal formation of the normal valve between the kidney and bladder, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) can lead to recurrent febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney scarring in children. Previous research has shown that when taken continuously, prophylactic antibiotics can reduce the risk of recurrent UTI in about half of this population. However, ... Read More about Predicting the best treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in kids: The power of machine learning
Pinpointing Karlijn’s seizures: Neurosurgery helps teen get back to her life
Karlijn Kuiper was visiting her home country of the Netherlands a few years ago when the trouble began. At first, her family noticed she would zone out. “She had these strange spells where she would just stare,” remembers her mother, Marieke. At first, it didn’t occur to Karlijn’s family that they could be seizures. Like ... Read More about Pinpointing Karlijn’s seizures: Neurosurgery helps teen get back to her life
What it’s like to have brain surgery: Peyton’s story
During the summer before my junior year of high school, I started getting a lot of dull headaches at the base of my head and upper neck. I got so used to them that I built up a tolerance to the pain — I didn’t see them as a big deal, or would make excuses for ... Read More about What it’s like to have brain surgery: Peyton’s story
Meghan’s journey with UESL: Finding treatment for a rare form of liver cancer
In the spring of 2017, Meghan Tompkins and her parents, Danni and Michael, arrived at the Dana Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. They were there for an appointment after Meghan’s doctors identified a suspicious spot on her liver. Meghan, then 13, only knew that she was having gastrointestinal symptoms — no one had uttered ... Read More about Meghan’s journey with UESL: Finding treatment for a rare form of liver cancer
Game-changing surgical procedure results in zero-percent TEF re-recurrence rate
A tracheaesophageal fistula (TEF) is a congenital defect in which an abnormal connection forms between a child’s esophagus and trachea. It often occurs with esophageal atresia. Even after surgical repair, TEFs recur in about 10 to 15 percent of infants and children. They rarely close spontaneously and typically require surgical or endoscopic intervention. Key takeaways: ... Read More about Game-changing surgical procedure results in zero-percent TEF re-recurrence rate