Clinical Care
Beware probiotics in ICU patients
It’s become common for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), both children and adults, to receive probiotics. Often, they are started at home to counteract diarrhea caused by antibiotics. There is also interest in using probiotics proactively in the ICU. A large multicenter clinical trial in Canada is testing whether probiotics would prevent ventilator-associated ... Read More about Beware probiotics in ICU patients
Research
Boosting host immune defenses to treat tuberculosis
Current treatment regimens for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, are long, complex, and hard for people to sustain. Moreover, the bacteria often develop drug resistance, and many people harbor multi-drug-resistant strains. In 2018 alone, nearly 1.5 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide. Now, a study in iScience suggests a new approach that ... Read More about Boosting host immune defenses to treat tuberculosis
Health and Parenting
Six ways to keep kids with aerodigestive disorders healthy
There’s probably not an adult or child who hasn’t experienced the stuffy nose and difficulty swallowing associated with an upper respiratory infection. Usually, rest, extra fluids, and time help ease such symptoms until the cold clears up. But for kids with aerodigestive conditions, which already affect the ability to eat and breathe, cold and flu ... Read More about Six ways to keep kids with aerodigestive disorders healthy
Health and Parenting
Why do kids love “Baby Shark”? A Boston Children’s music therapist explains
Doo doo doo doo doo doo. If you spend any time around young children, you’re likely all too familiar with the ear worm known as “Baby Shark.” With its catchy beat and simple lyrics, the song is such a big hit that it’s broken Billboard’s Top 40 chart. The current World Series champions, the Washington ... Read More about Why do kids love “Baby Shark”? A Boston Children’s music therapist explains
Patient Stories
Amelia makes a special connection with her EEG tech
Amelia arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital in August with a present in her small hands. The gift was for one of Amelia’s favorite people at the hospital, electroencephalographic (EEG) technician Katie Tucker. Tucker has been Amelia’s primary EEG tech since she was just 7 months old. “We first traveled up to Boston Children’s from New ... Read More about Amelia makes a special connection with her EEG tech
Research
Unlocking antibody diversity: chromatin loops, V(D)J recombination, and class switching
A new study from the laboratory of Frederick Alt, PhD, of the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine (PCMM) at Boston Children’s Hospital reveals yet another way in which chromatin regulation — changing the configuration of our DNA and its packaging — enables our immune systems to produce its wide-ranging arsenal of antibodies. In September in the ... Read More about Unlocking antibody diversity: chromatin loops, V(D)J recombination, and class switching
Health and Parenting
Nurturing strength: Tips for parents of female athletes
The drive to succeed can push female athletes to excel at any cost. Female athlete specialist, Dr. Bridget Quinn, talks about what parents and athletes can do to nurture strong bodies and healthy attitudes that will serve the athletes well now and in the future. What pressures are female athletes under? Today’s young athletes are ... Read More about Nurturing strength: Tips for parents of female athletes
Patient Stories
Finding the best care for Zeeva
When our 8-year-old daughter, Zeeva, giggles and runs in her walker to the swing set, it’s like watching pure childhood joy. Understanding what it has taken to get her to this point, though, is close to unimaginable. Zeeva is one of fewer than 150 people in the world with a rare disease called Gould Syndrome ... Read More about Finding the best care for Zeeva
Patient Stories
My life as a seizure alert dog
I’m Alo, a seizure alert dog. The story of how I got my name is pretty funny. Liyana, my best human friend, has epilepsy. One day, she was telling her nurses at Boston Children’s Hospital that she was getting a service dog. She had to pick a name and had chosen Alice. But she wasn’t ... Read More about My life as a seizure alert dog
Patient Stories
After beating the odds, Joey dreams of Hollywood
Joey Manzo’s biggest dream is to travel to Hollywood to meet Ellen DeGeneres. Given how many dreams he’s already made a reality, it’s likely one day he’ll make that happen too. DiGeorge syndromeDiGeorge syndrome, also called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, is a genetic condition caused by missing a part of chromosome 22. It can cause a ... Read More about After beating the odds, Joey dreams of Hollywood