Blog | Page 101 of 159 | Boston Children's Answers

EEE: A worried parent’s questions, answered

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Ellen Greenlaw | Health and Parenting

In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the last thing we want to think about is another virus. But now that summer is upon us, so are mosquitoes. And with mosquitoes comes the risk of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but deadly virus. Last fall in Massachusetts, there were 12 confirmed cases of EEE, ... Read More

Tagged: encephalitis, infectious diseases

Caring for pediatric ADHD patients through telehealth

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Alice McCarthy | Clinical Care, Specialty Care

Tags: ADHD, coronavirus, research, telehealth

Key takeaways· In the current health crisis, online visits should be used to monitor current patients and make new diagnoses.· Providers should guide families to resources for at-home behavioral modification techniques.· Telehealth office visits are likely to remain after the current crisis subsides. It comes as no surprise to the pediatric neurology community at Boston ... Read More

Tagged: ADHD, coronavirus, research, telehealth

Boston Children’s Hospital leads national study on pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Nancy Fliesler | Clinical, Research

Tags: coronavirus, genetics and genomics, immunology, mis-c

Why are children largely spared from COVID-19 — and why do a few become extremely sick? To find out, Boston Children’s Hospital launched a national study in April to perform real-time surveillance at more than 35 U.S. children’s hospitals. In May, when multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) began appearing, that still-mysterious condition was added ... Read More

Tagged: coronavirus, genetics and genomics, immunology, mis-c

Racism and children’s health: What providers need to know

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Joanne Barker | Clinical Care

Tags: asthma, cancer, coronavirus, diabetes, health equity, mental health, obesity, racism

It’s easy to feel outdone by racism, especially as the country cycles through stages of tragedy, awareness, and inertia. But with renewed attention to violence against Black people in recent weeks, many health care providers are asking themselves hard questions: Can we create a better world for the next generation?Can the call for racial justice lead ... Read More

Tagged: asthma, cancer, coronavirus, diabetes, health equity, mental health, obesity, racism

Getting to a COVID-19 vaccine as fast and as safely as possible

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Nancy Fliesler | Research, Therapeutics/Diagnostics/Devices

Tags: coronavirus, infectious diseases, vaccines

The novel coronavirus is not expected to disappear anytime soon. With physical distancing, virus testing, contact tracing, and potentially new therapeutics, we may be able to keep it partially at bay. But many eyes are looking toward a COVID-19 vaccine, and scientists are feeling the urgency. Key takeaways. Work is moving quickly, but to show ... Read More

Tagged: coronavirus, infectious diseases, vaccines

Type III interferon in COVID-19: Protective or harmful?

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Nancy Fliesler | Basic/Translational, Research

Tags: coronavirus, immunology, infectious diseases

Our immune system makes interferons and other cytokines to help us fight viruses. But in COVID-19, we’ve learned that they can also contribute to damaging, potentially life-threatening lung inflammation. New work published yesterday in the journal Science helps tease out the good from the bad for one interferon of interest: type III. Key takeaways. At ... Read More

Tagged: coronavirus, immunology, infectious diseases

How to prepare your child for an outpatient visit

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Joanne Barker | Health and Parenting

Tags: coronavirus

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed many things, including what it’s like for kids to visit Boston Children’s Hospital. The lobby that normally bustles with patients, families, and clinicians is quieter. Security guards ask families if they have an appointment and make sure they know where they’re headed. Visitors are asked about their health and provided ... Read More

Tagged: coronavirus

How to encourage your child to wear a mask for COVID-19 protection

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Jessica Cerretani | Health and Parenting

Tags: child life, coronavirus

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone older than age 2 wear a face covering in public unless they have significant breathing problems. Whether you’re coming to the hospital for an appointment or are simply trying to enjoy more time outdoors, your child will likely need wear a mask in public. ... Read More

Tagged: child life, coronavirus

Racism is a health issue: How it affects kids, what parents can do

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Joanne Barker | Health and Parenting

Tags: asthma, cancer, culture, diabetes, health equity, mental health, obesity, racism

Racism has once again gained national attention. Following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, people around the world are taking a stand against race-based inequality and violence. But even after it fades from the news cycle, racism will remain present in the lives of children. How children experience racism Racism can ... Read More

Tagged: asthma, cancer, culture, diabetes, health equity, mental health, obesity, racism

Creating hairy human skin: Not as easy as you think

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Alice McCarthy | Basic/Translational, Research

Tags: hearing, organoids, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, stem cells, tissue engineering

Key takeaways· Scientists have created the first cultured human skin capable of growing hair embedded with fat and nerve cells. · Potential applications include burn treatments, and testing medications and cosmetics· The skin organoid system developed is a proof of concept for creating other human organoids, such as the inner ear. For more than 40 ... Read More

Tagged: hearing, organoids, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, stem cells, tissue engineering