Health and Parenting
Many childhood injuries are preventable if you know the risks
As the seasons change, Dr. Lois Lee can predict that certain types of injuries will appear in the Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Some things happen every year,” she says. In the cold months, for instance, children come in with head and neck injuries and broken bones, from winter sport accidents. In warmer weather, ... Read More
Research
A new view of heart health: Mutations accumulate in the heart starting in childhood
Why do so many people get heart disease when they get older? We know that factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol contribute to heart disease risk, but they don’t explain all cases. A first-of-its-kind study from Boston Children’s Hospital offers a new lens on heart health. It shows that the cells of our ... Read More
Clinical Care
Sports medicine for single-sport athletes
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
Patient Stories
‘To do what’s best for Marley’: One family’s experience with a vein of Galen malformation
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
Health and Parenting
What to know about Enterovirus D68
By now you’ve seen the news: Several health care providers and hospitals across the United States during August 2022 identified an increase in pediatric hospitalizations due to a virus causing children to develop coughing and breathing problems that are often more severe than the common cold. That virus is Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and it’s just ... Read More
Health and Parenting
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM): What parents need to know
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
Health and Parenting
Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes
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
Health and Parenting
Talking with – not at – young people about substance use
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
Health and Parenting
Save that shot and your child’s teeth: The benefits of mouthguards
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
Health and Parenting
Childproofing your home: A checklist for parents
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