Blog | Page 47 of 159 | Boston Children's Answers

Rethinking the need for ADOS testing to diagnose autism in young children

Tags: autism, autism research, autism spectrum disorder, developmental medicine, primary care

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, or ADOS testing, was developed in the 1980s as a tool for autism research. Through a series of semi-structured observations, trained evaluators assess children’s communication skills, social interaction, and imaginative use of materials. But over time, the ADOS has come to be considered the gold standard for a clinical diagnosis ... Read More

Tagged: autism, autism research, autism spectrum disorder, developmental medicine, primary care

Predicting feeding difficulties in children with esophageal atresia: A proactive approach

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Jessica Cerretani | Research

Tags: Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center, esophageal atresia, g tube, gastroenterology, research, surgery

Children with esophageal atresia are at risk for developing anastomotic strictures, or areas of esophageal narrowing, following surgical repair. Clinicians have long assumed that such strictures can cause dysphagia and feeding difficulties, but it isn’t clear whether the severity of feeding difficulties is related to the severity of a stricture. Now, findings of a recent ... Read More

Tagged: Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center, esophageal atresia, g tube, gastroenterology, research, surgery

Getting a diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: Macy’s journey

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Veronica Giarla | Patient Stories

Tags: robotics, urology

“It’s ok to be afraid,” says 8-year-old Macy with a strong smile. She would know: She recently experienced a health scare that impacted everything she did, leaving her to feel like she would never get better. While celebrating Hanukkah last year, Macy was playing with her twin sister, Isabel, when she started feeling intense pain ... Read More

Tagged: robotics, urology

Care in the classroom: Children’s behavioral health in schools

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Joanne Barker | Our Community

Tags: community health, health equity, mental health

If you want to address children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health, go to where the kids are — in schools. This straightforward idea is at the heart of the Boston Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships (BCHNP). The program and its team of 17 psychologists and social workers bring behavioral health services and training directly to schools, ... Read More

Tagged: community health, health equity, mental health

Finding hope in hard times: Max’s journey with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Veronica Giarla | Patient Stories

Tags: gastroenterology, rare disease, ulcerative colitis

When Rachel’s son, Max, had a string of persistent symptoms that caused him to be in and out of their local pediatrician’s office, Rachel knew something deeper was going on. “He would wake up from a deep sleep with intense abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting, he was very sick.” Their pediatrician thought Max just had ... Read More

Tagged: gastroenterology, rare disease, ulcerative colitis

Chromosomal testing expands options for exploring causes of SIDS

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Nancy Fliesler | Clinical, Research

Tags: bereavement, genetics and genomics, second opinion, sudden infant death syndrome

When an infant or young child dies without explanation, it is not uncommon for parents to blame themselves. In some cases, unfortunately, they may be wrongly investigated by the authorities, even as they yearn for answers themselves. Most often, these answers never come. But research is slowly starting to change that. Increasing evidence suggests that ... Read More

Tagged: bereavement, genetics and genomics, second opinion, sudden infant death syndrome

From PediaSure to pizza: Benjamin’s journey with esophageal stricture

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Jessica Cerretani | Patient Stories

Tags: Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center, g tube, gastroenterology, surgery

This fall, Benjamin Hawkins and his family visited a local orchard to go apple picking. It’s a beloved tradition for many people, but this visit was extra special for Benjamin: For the first time in his life, he could take a big bite out of the apple he’d just plucked from a tree. In fact, ... Read More

Tagged: Esophageal and Airway Treatment Center, g tube, gastroenterology, surgery

Genetic sequencing may open doors for newborns with hypotonia

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Nancy Fliesler | Basic/Translational, Research

Tags: diagnostics, genetics and genomics, newborn medicine, rare disease

When a baby is born with low muscle tone (hypotonia), the future is hard to predict, and families have a lot of questions. How should neonatologists care for these infants? Findings from a recent review could help provide some answers, guide appropriate interventions, and in some cases open the way to custom treatments. Diagnosing a ... Read More

Tagged: diagnostics, genetics and genomics, newborn medicine, rare disease

Your child’s imaginary friend is more than a good buddy

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Albert McKeon | Health and Parenting

Tags: child life, psychiatry

You can’t hear stuffed toys talking. You can’t see pretend companions coming to life. But your child probably wouldn’t imagine spending a day without them — and that’s perfectly normal behavior. Boston Children’s child psychologist Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD, offers insight on how imaginary “friends” help your child develop emotionally. Lots of children have imaginary friends Children usually ... Read More

Tagged: child life, psychiatry

Bladder surgery after Ewing sarcoma helps Paralympian get back on the slopes

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Jessica Cerretani | Patient Stories

Tags: cancer, ewing sarcoma, surgery, urology

Thomas Walsh’s email signature includes the phrase, “No struggle, no progress.” It’s a motto that Thomas, 27, has lived by since he was a teenager. An avid skier who has been competing since he was just 5 years old, he faced a different kind of opponent when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age ... Read More

Tagged: cancer, ewing sarcoma, surgery, urology