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Could a GI bug’s toxin curb hard-to-treat breast cancer?

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Clostridium difficile can cause devastating inflammatory gastrointestinal infections, with much of the damage inflicted by a toxin the bug produces. But research from Boston Children’s Hospital suggests that the same toxin could also be a useful tool for curbing highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancers that don’t respond to chemotherapy. Min Dong, PhD, in the Department ... Read More
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Researchers identify genes that could affect children’s bone growth

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Many children anticipate reaching the next number on a measuring stick as they chart their growth. But measurements can be frustrating or stressful for children who have skeletal disorders that prevent bones from growing.  Key findings Researchers used genome-wide association studies and CRISPR gene editing to see if alterations to cartilage cells, which are known ... Read More
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Engineered cartilage could turn the tide for patients with osteoarthritis

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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About one in seven adults live with degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and other joint injuries have become more common among adolescent athletes, a growing number of 20- and 30-somethings have joined the ranks of aging baby boomers living with chronic OA pain.  ... Read More
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Infantile spasms: Speeding referrals for all infants

Posted on by | Clinical Care, Research
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Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), often called infantile spasms, is the most common form of epilepsy seen during infancy. Prompt diagnosis and referral to a neurologist are essential. Infantile spasms can present subtly, and research indicates that diagnosis is often delayed. Additionally, infants are especially likely to experience delays in referral to a neurologist if ... Read More
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New leads for spinal cord injury: Mapping spinal-projecting neurons in the brain

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Only a fraction of people who sustain a spinal cord injury fully regain their motor function. While rehabilitation can help, scientists have long looked for ways to regenerate injured nerve fibers — including, at Boston Children’s Hospital, Zhigang He, PhD, BM. As part of a collaborative effort by the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network, which ... Read More
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A lifetime of treatment inspires Ruth to advocate care for others

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Ruth Ngwaro offers guidance to children who have heart disease. Perhaps her most useful bit of advice is telling them to not look too far ahead in their lifelong journeys and instead focus on what they can do each day. She would know: Throughout childhood and well into adulthood, Ruth was in and out of ... Read More
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Un verdadero corazón de oro: El viaje de Jeremiahs hacia un trasplante de corazón

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Con las sirenas sonando, Angelie y su esposo atravesaron el tráfico a toda velocidad, ansiosos por llegar a tiempo a la ciudad. La escolta policial que tenían delante les despejó el camino, lo que les permitió trasladarse rápidamente al Boston Children’s Hospital, donde los esperaba su hijo de 6 años, Jeremiahs, apodado JJ. Si Angelie ... Read More
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A true heart of gold: Jeremiahs’ heart transplant journey

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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With sirens wailing, Angelie and her husband sped through traffic, anxious to get to the city in time. The police escort ahead of them cleared the way, allowing for a speedy commute to Boston Children’s Hospital where their 6-year-old son, Jeremiahs — nicknamed JJ — was waiting for them. If Angelie hadn’t waved down the ... Read More
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Care for a prince: One family’s inspiring journey for encephalocele repair

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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To hear Peter and Eunice of Kenya tell the story of their son, Prince, is to hear about the power of hope, the best of humanity, and the interconnectivity that makes the world a small place after all. Hope in the hopeless In March 2022, Eunice was about five months into her pregnancy when a ... Read More
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Surgery beats sclerotherapy for rectal prolapse in children ages 5 and older

Posted on by | Clinical Care
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Rectal prolapse — the protrusion of the lining of a child’s rectum through the anal sphincter — can occur for many reasons. In the pediatric population, it most commonly occurs in children under 4 years old but can affect older children as well. Children with colorectal and pelvic malformations tend to be at increased risk ... Read More
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