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A Juneteenth celebration of children’s books featuring Black characters

Posted on by | Our Community
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Books can provide a mirror for kids to understand themselves and a window into the world around them. Yet for many generations, Black characters were almost nonexistent in children’s books. Very often, the few that did appear were limited, with one kind of hair and one skin tone. “Thinking about the books that were popular ... Read More
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Children with severe MIS-C do better with IVIG and steroids as initial therapy

Posted on by | Clinical Care, Specialty Care
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When children started getting sick with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in the wake of COVID-19, clinicians largely turned to two treatments. Many used immunoglobulin (IVIG) because of MIS-C’s similarities with Kawasaki disease. And many used steroids such as methylprednisolone because of MIS-C’s inflammatory features. Key takeawayIn this large, rigorous national study, initial treatment of MIS-C ... Read More
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How lactation specialists can help you find answers to your nursing goals

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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Even if you’ve done it before, feeding a baby can be hard — especially breastfeeding. Research has shown that almost 60 percent of women in the United States who breastfeed stop before they intend to. This happens for a number of reasons: difficulties producing milk, including low supplyslow infant weight gain (sometimes called “failure to ... Read More
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Regular physical activity linked to more ‘fit’ preteen brains

Posted on by | Clinical, Research
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We know exercise has many health benefits. A new study from Boston Children’s Hospital adds another benefit: Physical activity appears to help organize children’s developing brains. The study, led by Dr. Caterina Stamoulis, analyzed brain imaging data from nearly 6,000 9- and 10-year-olds. It found that physical activity was associated with more efficiently organized, robust, ... Read More
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An ‘atlas’ of the choroid plexus across the lifespan

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Once viewed merely as a producer of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathing the brain and spinal cord, the choroid plexus is now known to be a key player in brain development and immunity. These fronds of brain tissue, located in the CSF-filled brain cavities known as ventricles, secrete instructive cues into the CSF to regulate ... Read More
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Coping with hepatoblastoma: It didn’t take magic for John’s family to find answers

Posted on by | Patient Stories
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John Ogden considers himself a bit of a wizard. When his dad, Nick, says he wishes he had a boat, the 5-year-old points to a picture of one and casts a magic spell, declaring, “Moonshine, moonlight, make this sailboat come to life!” “He’s a typical kid: inquisitive, imaginative, ornery, and fun,” says his mom, Julie. ... Read More
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A successful, low-cost reusable treatment for infant hypothermia

Posted on by | Clinical Care, Specialty Care
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Key Takeaways Infant hypothermia leads to about one million deaths each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries.A study in rural Rwanda of a non-electric infant warmer developed by Boston Children’s showed it successfully raised infants’ core temperatures and improved survival in preterm infants with hypothermia Infant hypothermia contributes to approximately one million deaths each ... Read More
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Motor neurons made from patients’ cells reveal possible ALS drugs and targets

Posted on by | Basic/Translational, Research
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe, fatal neurodegenerative disorder causing loss of motor neurons and voluntary muscle action. While mouse studies have identified potential treatments, these drugs have typically done very poorly in human trials. “One of the most difficult challenges in drug discovery is identifying a target that has a key role in ... Read More
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Send your kids to camp with peace of mind: Safety guidelines to look for this summer

Posted on by | Health and Parenting
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After this past year, it may be hard to remember what a “normal” summer feels like, but as communities reopen, reclaiming the “normal” summer experience can be a reality for your family. We spoke with clinicians from Boston Children’s Primary Care Alliance about how to navigate camps and other summer activities as safety guidelines constantly evolve. The ... Read More
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Beyond HIPAA: Maintaining patient privacy in a big data era

Posted on by | Clinical Care, Ethics/Policy
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After a prolonged, painful era in which medical data were exchanged mainly by fax, most patients today have electronic health records. But the data within them aren’t as private as they might think, says Kenneth Mandl, MD, MPH. As director of the Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP) at Boston Children’s Hospital, he’s seen patient data ... Read More
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