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Helping your child understand puberty

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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We all remember the changes — and awkwardness — of puberty. But helping your child navigate puberty is a whole different matter. For answers, we turned to Boston Children’s Primary Care Alliance physician Caitlyn Hark, MD, at Framingham Pediatrics, and Frances Grimstad, MD, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist in the Division of Gynecology at Boston ... Read More
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Ask a sports medicine specialist: Why are ACL tears so common among female athletes?

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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When an athlete is sprinting after an opponent who suddenly stops or changes direction, their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) make it possible for them to continue their pursuit. This much talked-about ligament is the reason athletes can pivot, cut, jump, and land. “The ACL is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee,” explains ... Read More
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“Princess June” reigns supreme over Rasmussen syndrome

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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What do you call a “girly” 5-year-old who adores dolls and frilly nightgowns? If you’re one of June Pelletier’s nurses at Boston Children’s Hospital, the answer is “Princess June,” of course. While Her Highness would much prefer to reign over her parents and three siblings at home in Connecticut, she’s no stranger to the hospital. ... Read More
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Forging a path back to school after orthopedic trauma

Posted on by | Research
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Orthopedic trauma can force children to miss school, sometimes for an extended period. But even when patients have regained enough mobility to return to school, their schools aren’t always equipped to welcome them back. “Trauma is different from many other orthopedic conditions because it’s so unexpected,” says Kristin Livingston, MD, director of the Orthopedic Trauma ... Read More
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New genetic insights could change how we treat, and talk about, polycystic ovary syndrome

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has long been viewed as a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. However, ongoing research led by Jia Zhu, MD, attending physician in the Division of Endocrinology, and her colleagues is changing that. Their most recent findings indicate that PCOS is part of a broader metabolic disorder that affects both ... Read More
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Which pain medication is right for your child? What a pediatrician wants parents to know

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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There’s no shortage of safe and effective pain medications for children. Acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are the most common over-the-counter options, but how do you know which one is best to use when? “Each pain medication has its own benefits and risks,” says Dr. Susan Harp, a ... Read More
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Navigating school with a neuroimmune condition

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Fifteen-year-old Sarah had been challenging her dad to card games all week — and on Saturday, she finally beat him. It might seem like just good-natured competition to most people. But for Sarah, it was a much greater accomplishment: The teenager was coping with the lasting cognitive effects of autoimmune encephalitis and had struggled with ... Read More
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Thanks to Carter and his family, people are talking about spastic paraplegia

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Nine-year-old Carter may be the most devoted — and popular — sports fan in his Connecticut town. “He loves all sports,” says his mother, Natalie. Whenever one of Carter’s buddies has a game, Natalie’s phone lights up with texts asking if he can attend. As his friends play, Carter cheers and gives high fives from his ... Read More
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Knowing what life is worth: I am an adult heart patient and much more

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Most of the children showed off a favorite toy. Some brought items that were meaningful to their family or culture. When I got to the front of my kindergarten class, my hands were empty.  “My show-and-tell is…me,” I exclaimed as I pulled up my shirt and bared my chest to an audience of shocked five-year-olds ... Read More
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“A setback for a comeback”: Brody perseveres with Paget-Schroetter Syndrome

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Baseball has been part of Brody Walsh’s story from the very start. Now 19 and a college sophomore, Brody pitches for the Thomas College Terriers baseball team. But his path to this point has not been easy, to say the least: Just two years ago, a serious medical condition threatened his pitching career. Faced with ... Read More
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Five things to know before getting an online second opinion for your child

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Whether you want to confirm your child’s diagnosis or treatment plan, another set of expert eyes can give you confidence that they’re receiving the best care. At Boston Children’s Hospital, the process is simple: Although in-person second opinions are also an option, you can request an online second opinion from the comfort of your home ... Read More
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