A successful, low-cost reusable treatment for infant hypothermia
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 about A successful, low-cost reusable treatment for infant hypothermia
Minimally invasive surgery safe and effective for craniosynostosis
Traditional treatment for children with craniosynostosis — a condition in which the bones of the skull grow together too early in the child’s development — usually involves an extensive open craniectomy surgery with a incision to release the fused bones. But a study from physicians in the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Boston Children’s Hospital ... Read More about Minimally invasive surgery safe and effective for craniosynostosis
Two new approaches to identifying conduction tissue
Conduction cells in the heart are responsible for initiating contraction of the heart muscle. The inability to properly identify the location of conduction tissue in patients with congenital heart defects during heart surgery can lead to post-operative conduction abnormalities such as heart block or conduction delays. This necessitates the need for pacemakers, which leads to ... Read More about Two new approaches to identifying conduction tissue
Arthritis drug reduces rates of acute graft-vs-host disease after bone marrow transplant
The immune-suppressing drug abatacept, currently used for rheumatoid arthritis, could make bone marrow transplant safer, report researchers at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The phase 2 randomized, multi-center clinical trial, the largest to date, appears in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Abatacept (brand name ORENCIA) reduced rates of severe, acute graft-versus-host disease ... Read More about Arthritis drug reduces rates of acute graft-vs-host disease after bone marrow transplant
Low-carb diets for diabetes: Rediscovering centuries-old wisdom
This year represents the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. While insulin medications have literally been life-savers for many kids and adults with diabetes, diets that help keep blood sugar levels steady are often overlooked for controlling diabetes. These diets, often ... Read More about Low-carb diets for diabetes: Rediscovering centuries-old wisdom
At the forefront of kidney stone removal: Innovative approaches transform patient care
No longer considered just an adult problem, kidney stones increasingly affect children as well. The majority of children who cannot pass stones on their own can be treated with minimally invasive approaches such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, laparoscopic and robotic approaches and, rarely, open surgery. Now, two recent innovations provide additional ... Read More about At the forefront of kidney stone removal: Innovative approaches transform patient care
Remdesivir: What to know about the first drug approved to treat COVID-19
In late October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved the antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) for COVID-19. The approval has been controversial, with many scientists questioning the strength of the evidence and proposing that the drug undergo further clinical trials before receiving full FDA approval . What does this mean for children who ... Read More about Remdesivir: What to know about the first drug approved to treat COVID-19
Coordinated care and research for genetic cardiovascular disorders
Genetic cardiovascular disease in children sometimes comes to light in a crisis — a sudden collapse, sudden breathing difficulty, a sudden death in the family. Or it may be part of a diverse collection of symptoms, mostly having nothing to do with the heart. Sometimes it is picked up incidentally. “From an incidental ECG finding ... Read More about Coordinated care and research for genetic cardiovascular disorders
The CAMEO tool: Capturing the complex nature of pediatric nursing
By any measure, nursing is a complex profession. On any given day, nurses must draw on a wide range of cognitive skills and clinical tools to care for their patients, and by extension, their patients’ families. As patients become increasingly complex, so do the specific proficiencies necessary to complete their jobs. Measuring the cognitive complexity ... Read More about The CAMEO tool: Capturing the complex nature of pediatric nursing
MIS-C: The tip of an iceberg? Looking at cardiac care for this rare syndrome
In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, it seemed that children were far less likely to develop serious problems from the disease than adults. Then in mid-March, hospitals started reporting an unusual inflammatory syndrome in children that seemed to be related to COVID-19, now known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C can ... Read More about MIS-C: The tip of an iceberg? Looking at cardiac care for this rare syndrome