Blog | Page 16 of 158 | Boston Children's Answers

In cases of pediatric cervical spine instability, two attending surgeons are better than one

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Joanne Barker | Clinical, Research

Tags: complex cervical spine, neurosurgery, orthopedics, scoliosis, spine division

Cervical spine instability (caused by congenital deformity, trauma, or a tumor) can affect children in a number of ways: from chronic headaches to bowel dysfunction to severe mobility limitations. In many cases, misaligned vertebrae compress the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, causing neurological issues, which, if left untreated, can lead to long-term disability. Common indications ... Read More

Tagged: complex cervical spine, neurosurgery, orthopedics, scoliosis, spine division

Will people accept a fentanyl vaccine? Interviews draw thoughtful responses

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Nancy Fliesler | Clinical, Research

Tags: adolescent medicine, drug safety, opioids, substance abuse, vaccines

In 2022, more than 100,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the U.S., according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Roughly three quarters of these deaths involved fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid. Fentanyl-related deaths have spiked over the past decade, many of them occurring in people with no known history of opioid use ... Read More

Tagged: adolescent medicine, drug safety, opioids, substance abuse, vaccines

All in it for Hudson: A family’s shared path with cavernous malformations

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Staff Writer | Patient Stories

Tags: brain health, cavernous malformation, cerebrovascular surgery and interventions center, genetics and genomics, seizures

Three-year-old Hudson loves trucks and PAW Patrol. He’s a delightful blend of sweet, fun, and feisty, and — after a seizure on New Year’s Day led to an extended stay at Boston Children’s Hospital — he’s an inspiration to his parents, Gabrielle and Matthew. To Matthew specifically, Hudson provides a new look at his own ... Read More

Tagged: brain health, cavernous malformation, cerebrovascular surgery and interventions center, genetics and genomics, seizures

When community is as important as the science: Olúmídé Fagboyegun

Posted on August 27, 2024 by Nancy Fliesler | People, Research

Tags: neuroscience, research rising stars

In his short, prolific neuroscience career, Olúmídé Fagboyegun has always sought community. It’s served him well, from his years at community college in Maryland to his PhD work in the Stevens Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital. Landing in Maryland from his native Nigeria at age 15, Fagboyegun found he had to repeat part of high ... Read More

Tagged: neuroscience, research rising stars

New insight into the effects of PPIs in children

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Jessica Cerretani | Research

Tags: aerodigestive, coronavirus, gastroenterology, microbiome, reflux, research

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed to suppress stomach acid in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prescribing rates of PPIs in children have risen more than 500 percent in the past two decades, despite growing concerns about their risks: Previous research has linked their use to an increased risk of various pulmonary and gastrointestinal ... Read More

Tagged: aerodigestive, coronavirus, gastroenterology, microbiome, reflux, research

How to make school lunch less scary for “picky eaters”

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Veronica Giarla | Health and Parenting

Tags: nutrition

Lunch boxes with fun designs, giggling friends, lunch trays clattering in the meal line, and sticky hands galore — school lunch time is back. But how do you prepare for it when your child is showing signs of being a “picky eater” — that is, selective about the foods they’re willing to eat and hesitant ... Read More

Tagged: nutrition

Going back to school with a chronic condition

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Jessica Cerretani | Health and Parenting

Tags: advocacy, complex care, rare disease, safety, short bowel syndrome, stroke

Going back to school can be a time of excitement for many families: Your kids are looking forward to reconnecting with their friends — and you’re looking forward to watching them learn and grow. But for caregivers of children and teens with chronic or complex conditions, preparing for a new school year involves much more ... Read More

Tagged: advocacy, complex care, rare disease, safety, short bowel syndrome, stroke

A new anti-cancer strategy: Overriding tumor edits

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Nancy Fliesler | Basic/Translational, Research

Tags: cancer, gene editing, genetics and genomics, immunotherapy

Cancers are clever and often find ways to dodge people’s immune systems, making them hard to eradicate. Immunotherapies such as CAR-T cells and checkpoint inhibitors can sharpen the immune system’s attack and cure the cancer. But they don’t work for most solid tumors. We now know that tumors can edit their genes to evade immune ... Read More

Tagged: cancer, gene editing, genetics and genomics, immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for children with primary liver carcinomas: Research offers new hope

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Jessica Cerretani | Research

Tags: cancer, immunotherapy, liver disease, research

Pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and fibrolamellar carcinoma are rare, aggressive forms of liver cancer that typically affect adolescents and young adults. Although some immunotherapy drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration as first-line treatments for HCC in adults, less is known about their effectiveness in treating pediatric liver carcinomas. Now, new research led ... Read More

Tagged: cancer, immunotherapy, liver disease, research

Lily’s smile lights up the stage, thanks to orthodontic care

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Veronica Giarla | Patient Stories

Tags: dentistry

Thirteen-year-old Lily is a fan of the theatre — and she’s no stranger to taking the stage, having already performed in two plays just this past school year. “She’s always the most confident when she’s up on stage with her friends,” says her mom, Jade. Lily’s confidence is something that she recently stepped back into, ... Read More

Tagged: dentistry