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Sports medicine for single-sport athletes

Posted on by | Clinical Care, Specialty Care
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As youth sports have become more structured and focused on results, sports medicine specialists have seen a growing number of sports injuries in younger patients. Is early sports specialization to blame? “Specializing in a single sport is not necessarily a cause for concern,” says Andrea Stracciolini, MD, director of Medical Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s ... Read More
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‘To do what’s best for Marley’: One family’s experience with a vein of Galen malformation

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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Last summer, Savannah and Brian were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. Savannah was scheduled to deliver their daughter Marley in late September, and they couldn’t wait to hold her, feed her, dress her up, and relish in the new-baby joy. But the Georgia couple soon learned that parenthood tends to throw plans ... Read More
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What to know about Enterovirus D68

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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A virus called the Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one to look out for — not just seasonally, but year-round — as it can cause serious health risks to children. EV-D68 is just one strain of Enteroviruses, which cause colds, fever, headaches, vomiting, and rashes among other symptoms. Most Enterovirus infections are very common and spread ... Read More
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Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM): What parents need to know

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve heard the recent news reports about acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. As of September 2022, 13 cases of AFM have been confirmed in the U.S. according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and experts expect that number could rise. For reasons that are still unclear, outbreaks have ... Read More
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Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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It’s easy to tell when a kid loves sports: Maybe they practice drills in the driveway until it’s dark and cold. Or they wake up excited on practice days and talk about practice at dinner. Even kids who keep their feelings under wraps may let their enthusiasm show in their laser focus. When the whistle ... Read More
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Talking with – not at – young people about substance use

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Teens and young adults using drugs and alcohol is not new. Neither is the challenge of speaking with them about the dangers and implications. However, what is changing are the substances young people are using and the ways they’re exposed to them. We’re also learning more about how drugs, alcohol, and nicotine affect growing bodies ... Read More
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Save that shot and your child’s teeth: The benefits of mouthguards

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Competitive sports can get intense. They can also get physical, with athletes inadvertently colliding and balls moving fast at all kinds of angles. We spoke with Zameera Fida, DMD, an associate in the Department of Dentistry at Boston Children’s Hospital, about the importance of mouthguards and what you should do when not only your child resists but also ... Read More
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Childproofing your home: A checklist for parents

Posted on by | Health and Parenting, Primary Care
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Bumps and bruises are a part of growing up. But serious injuries can cause lasting damage. By making a few adjustments around your house, you can help your child stay safe and healthy at home. We spoke to Dr. Katherine Shearer of Longwood Pediatrics, part of Boston Children’s Primary Care Alliance, about keeping kids safe ... Read More
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Remember these seven things before bringing your newborn home from the hospital

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Congratulations, you just had a baby! Now what? Whether it’s your first, second, or eighth child, the initial weeks of life with a newborn can be a sleep-deprived blur. Hopefully, your first few days postpartum come with the support of knowledgeable, compassionate nurses and hospital staff. So before being discharged home with your bundle of ... Read More
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Step by step: What to consider before your child wears a fitness tracker

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Energetic children run circles around their parents. Wearable devices can count how many footsteps go into those circles.  Depending on the model, fitness trackers can measure the steps a child walks and the miles they bike, all while monitoring their heart rate, body temperature, and other vital signs of health. More importantly, the devices can ... Read More
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