Research
Predicting brace adherence could change the game in scoliosis treatment
When it comes to preventing scoliosis progression, is it possible to make bracing more effective? For decades, spine specialists focused on improving the braces themselves, making them lighter, less obtrusive, and easier to put on and take off. (The Boston Brace, developed at Boston Children’s Hospital in the early 1970s, is one example.) Key takeaways ... Read More about Predicting brace adherence could change the game in scoliosis treatment
Research
New hospital discharge practices could improve health of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
The chronic lung disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) affects a significant number of infants who were born early and have underdeveloped lungs. They typically require lengthy specialized care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before they can go home with their families. But getting home doesn’t mean health risks are behind them. Their parents are suddenly their ... Read More about New hospital discharge practices could improve health of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Health and Parenting
December 2023 coloring pages
Keep kids busy during the winter holidays with this month’s coloring pages, brought to you by Boston Children’s. MAC_29558_ColoringPages_Dec_Winter_Horiz-1Download MAC_29558_ColoringPages_Dec_Winter_Horiz-2Download MAC_29558_ColoringPages_Dec_Winter_Vert-1Download MAC_29558_ColoringPages_Dec_Winter_Vert-2Download Share this:
Patient Stories
Treatment for the vision condition achromatopsia helps Aiden embrace the outdoors
A lot of things excite 10-year-old Aiden Flaherty: drums, soccer, skiing, video games. But lately, he’s also found joy in a quieter, less active pursuit: watching leaves move on trees. He loves being outdoors during the daytime and taking in all that nature offers. It’s something he only recently could do after receiving retinal gene ... Read More about Treatment for the vision condition achromatopsia helps Aiden embrace the outdoors
Research
A state policy made it harder for families to find shelter. Research helped change the policy.
Physicians and policy makers usually work in separate worlds: those of medicine and government. But when a change in Massachusetts policy led to an unprecedented increase in the number of homeless families seeking shelter in the emergency department (ED), physicians at Boston Children’s Hospital set out to reverse that policy. What happened next shows that ... Read More about A state policy made it harder for families to find shelter. Research helped change the policy.
Patient Stories
Blood donations help Kit manage Diamond-Blackfan anemia — so she can dance, sing, and enjoy life
Every month, Kit Murdoch needs a blood transfusion to stay alive. The 2-year-old has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, a rare genetic blood disorder that, if untreated, prevents blood from delivering oxygen through the body. While it has been a devastating diagnosis for Kit’s parents, they’re grateful for the specialized care she receives and are constantly amazed that people ... Read More about Blood donations help Kit manage Diamond-Blackfan anemia — so she can dance, sing, and enjoy life
Research
Sickle cell gene therapy and boosting fetal hemoglobin: A 75-year history
Ed. Note: This post updates an earlier post from 2018. In a landmark decision today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two gene therapies for sickle cell disease. One of them, Casgevy, has deep scientific roots at Boston Children’s Hospital — and is also the first therapy using CRISPR gene editing to gain FDA ... Read More about Sickle cell gene therapy and boosting fetal hemoglobin: A 75-year history
Clinical Care
An off-the-shelf tamponade kit provides surgeons with ‘the luxury of time’ during a life-threatening emergency
It was a late Friday afternoon in April when the call came: A young boy was being transferred to Boston Children’s emergency department after swallowing a button battery. Although his mother had previously taken him to another local hospital when she noticed he wasn’t eating or drinking much, the battery ingestion had been missed until ... Read More about An off-the-shelf tamponade kit provides surgeons with ‘the luxury of time’ during a life-threatening emergency
Patient Stories
Writing the book on infantile spasms: Charlotte’s story
When Charlotte, 3, developed infantile spasms last year, her parents, Kate and Brett, entered a world they didn’t know how to navigate. Inspired by their daughter and the care she received at the Epilepsy Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, they set out to help other families facing similar experiences. Nervous parent instincts prove right “I ... Read More about Writing the book on infantile spasms: Charlotte’s story
Research
Could ADHD be diagnosed genetically?
Despite it being very common, ADHD is often missed until a child reaches age 7 or older. By that time, they have likely been struggling socially and in school. Could early genetic testing be part of the solution? Anne Arnett, PhD, in partnership with Ryan Doan, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital, set out to see ... Read More about Could ADHD be diagnosed genetically?