Patient Stories
Making up for lost time: Living with esophageal atresia
Whether he’s riding his dirt bike, learning how to swim, playing with his dogs and cats, or herding the chickens and goats on his family’s farm, Landen Spry loves staying active and being outside. “He’s making up for lost time,” says his mother, Jolene. She isn’t exaggerating. During his young life, he’s spent nearly a ... Read More about Making up for lost time: Living with esophageal atresia
Research
Novel CRISPR system could halt growth of triple-negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), lacking estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors, has the highest mortality rate of all breast cancers. It more frequently strikes women under age 50, African American women, and women carrying a BRCA1 gene mutation. The highly aggressive, frequently metastatic cancer is in urgent need of more effective targeted therapeutics. A new tumor-targeted ... Read More about Novel CRISPR system could halt growth of triple-negative breast cancer
Clinical Care
Urodynamics testing: What to expect
If your child has been diagnosed with a colorectal or pelvic malformation, they may also experience urological problems such as vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, or neurogenic bladder. These conditions can make it difficult to store or empty urine properly, leading to incontinence and accidents. “For these reasons, a urologist is often involved in the care of ... Read More about Urodynamics testing: What to expect
Patient Stories
Endocrine-oncology treatment helps teen with rare genetic condition
Felicia Walbridge has long been interested in biomedical engineering and plans on majoring in the field during college. Until recently, the teenager’s experience in this area was limited primarily to reruns of the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” Then, with little warning, Walbridge became the star of her very own medical drama — complete with a ... Read More about Endocrine-oncology treatment helps teen with rare genetic condition
Research
Exploring targeted treatments for children with low-grade brain tumors
Children diagnosed with low-grade astrocytomas, the most common type of pediatric brain tumor, have close to 90 percent overall survival rates. However, the growth of the tumors, as well as the standard treatments (neurosurgery and chemotherapy) required to control them, can cause serious side effects, including damaging developing brains and bodies. Researchers at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood ... Read More about Exploring targeted treatments for children with low-grade brain tumors
Health and Parenting
Give yourself a break with meditation
Do you start the day with anxiety and end it by thinking about how the day’s good intentions went awry? You can rework this cycle through meditation. While meditation can’t hold back all the curve balls thrown into your life, it does offer a way to cope and adjust your perspective. We recently discussed how ... Read More about Give yourself a break with meditation
Patient Stories
A biventricular repair helps California girl thrive
Even before their daughter, Elyse, was born, Amanda and Ian Primavera knew their road would be a little rocky. But they had no idea how hard they’d have to push to get the care they wanted for their daughter. Ultimately, an online support group and a little perseverance helped them find the answers and treatment ... Read More about A biventricular repair helps California girl thrive
Health and Parenting
Vitamin D: Absorption matters
If you’ve been hearing more about vitamin D recently, that’s because a growing number of studies have linked this nutrient to a range of potential health benefits, from a lower risk of flu to protection against cancer. Although the evidence isn’t firm for all of the many claims made about vitamin D, we do know ... Read More about Vitamin D: Absorption matters
Patient Stories
Leg lengthening and hip surgeries inspire a career
Lauren Schoeller was in eighth grade when she decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. She had by then had multiple surgeries, many of them scheduled around spring softball season. Now 20 and studying premed at the University of New Hampshire, Lauren has had a total of 18 operations on her leg, hips, foot, and spine. ... Read More about Leg lengthening and hip surgeries inspire a career
Health and Parenting
Concussions: Prevention and recovery for athletes
Team sports such as soccer, lacrosse, football, and field hockey bring together all the benefits of rigorous exercise and fun with friends. However, participation also comes with the risk of injury. Concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury, are all too common among young athletes. Helmets and mouth guards reduce players’ risk of other injuries, ... Read More about Concussions: Prevention and recovery for athletes