Archive for Jessica Cerretani
Care for stroke lets Matty just be a kid
Most adults might encourage kids to behave themselves, but Matthew Marino’s doctor wants to help him make mischief. “He told us that he loves when kids cause trouble and that he wants to help Matt cause trouble, too,” says his mother, Maura, of Dr. David Fogelman, a physiatrist in the Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at ... Read More about Care for stroke lets Matty just be a kid
Leading the way: Ava’s experience with teduglutide
Ava Orsini visits Boston Children’s Hospital every two weeks. It’s more time than any kid wants to spend at a hospital, particularly when she lives a state away. But for this 9-year-old and her parents, the trips are worth it: For the past two years, she’s been participating in a clinical trial of a drug ... Read More about Leading the way: Ava’s experience with teduglutide
Study shows benefits of blended diets
Medically complex children often receive nutrition through gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) or gastrojejunostomy tubes (G-J-tubes), frequently in the form of conventional formula. Although such formulas can be high in calories, they also tend to be rich in processed carbohydrates and saturated fat and lacking in fiber — characteristics that have been linked to the development of ... Read More about Study shows benefits of blended diets
Better evaluation needed for BRUEs
Previously known as apparent life-threatening events, brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) are episodes marked by choking, paleness, blue spells (cyanosis), and limpness. They tend to occur in previously healthy infants and send worried parents racing to the emergency department (ED). Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently implicated in these patients, pediatric gastroenterologists are often ... Read More about Better evaluation needed for BRUEs
Alivia’s journey with CDH
Alivia Gannon recently got the kind of information every kid wants to hear: She won’t have to return to the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program at Boston Children’s Hospital for another five years. For Alivia and her parents, Erin and Richard, the news is particularly welcome: Although the active 12-year-old is now the picture of health, ... Read More about Alivia’s journey with CDH
For Kayla, post-surgical pain relief supports a lifetime of care
At 24, Kayla Regan is old enough to be the mother of some of her fellow patients at Boston Children’s Hospital. “I like to say that I’m one of the elderly patients here,” she laughs. All jokes aside, Kayla has been receiving care at Boston Children’s since she was 14. That was when she first ... Read More about For Kayla, post-surgical pain relief supports a lifetime of care
Finally getting answers about Jack’s reflux
Katie Accardi isn’t a first-time parent. As mom to 4-year-old Harper, she’s familiar with typical baby behavior, like crying and mild fussiness. In fact, she’s even experienced in caring for a sick child: Harper, who has been treated for bronchomalacia, subglottic stenosis, and other conditions, has been a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital since she ... Read More about Finally getting answers about Jack’s reflux
A note for my nurse
In honor of Nurses’ Week, we asked a few of our patients and their families to share what their favorite nurse means to them. Jack — Leah Frain, FNP “Leah is a kind and beautiful lady. She helps kids stop getting sick. I like giving her hugs. And kisses, too! My favorite memory of Leah ... Read More about A note for my nurse
Life after stroke: Rebecca’s fierce determination
Last July, Rebecca Gold’s parents, Karen and Adam, had just dropped her off at sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania. They hadn’t even completed the drive back to Connecticut when they received a frightening call: Their 12-year-old daughter had collapsed to the floor, vomiting and unable to move her limbs. She was now at a nearby children’s ... Read More about Life after stroke: Rebecca’s fierce determination
More than a cough: Advocating for Jack
By the time he was 2 years old, Jack Baker had made some 20 trips to the emergency department and had been hospitalized about 10 times. For much of his young life, the little boy had struggled with a cough that his parents, Katie and Rick, could only describe as a barking, seal-like noise. He ... Read More about More than a cough: Advocating for Jack