Research
Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies
Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for expectant mothers and can protect them against infection, severe illness, and death from COVID-19. We also know that mothers vaccinated during pregnancy pass coronavirus antibodies to their babies. The latest research — drawing on 30 children’s hospitals in 22 states — now confirms that vaccinating ... Read More about Pregnant mothers who get COVID-19 vaccines are also protecting their babies
Patient Stories
Bringing Xavien home: One family’s journey with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Xavien Velazquez is getting ready to celebrate his first birthday. It’s a milestone for every child but especially meaningful for this little boy who has spent more than half his life away from home receiving care for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease characterized by respiratory distress that is most often seen in newborns ... Read More about Bringing Xavien home: One family’s journey with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Our Community
Widespread recognition of Juneteenth carries the hope of change
For African American and Black employees of Boston Children’s, the mainstream acceptance of Juneteenth is a promising step toward national healing. It was only last year that June 19 — “Juneteenth” for short — became a federal holiday, giving all Americans an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of slavery, the civil rights movement, and race ... Read More about Widespread recognition of Juneteenth carries the hope of change
Clinical Care
Breaking down barriers: How interpreters can enhance patient care
Sharing medical concerns with clinicians can be hard for anyone — a challenge that’s amplified in patients when English isn’t their first language. The results are troubling: One recent study by Boston Children’s pediatric hospitalist and researcher Alisa Khan, MD, MPH, found that patients and families who have limited English proficiency are three to five ... Read More about Breaking down barriers: How interpreters can enhance patient care
Health and Parenting
Melatonin for kids: Is it effective? Is it safe?
You’ve heard melatonin — an over-the-counter hormone supplement — can help with insomnia. Perhaps your pediatrician has recommended it. But is it really beneficial, and can your child take it safely? A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raises some concerns. It found an alarming six-fold increase in the past ... Read More about Melatonin for kids: Is it effective? Is it safe?
Research
Exploiting a vulnerability in an aggressive leukemia
Survival has improved greatly in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). But a certain form of ALL that occurs mostly in babies is still very lethal, with a survival rate below 50 percent: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with rearrangements of the mixed lineage leukemia gene, or MLL B-ALL. “Something about the biology of this type ... Read More about Exploiting a vulnerability in an aggressive leukemia
Patient Stories
Unstoppable: Cairo’s journey for kidney care began even before birth
Like lots of babies, Cairo Carter was born screaming — and his parents were thrilled. “We just wanted him to scream so we knew he could breathe,” explains his mother, Alaila. The family cried tears of joy and relief, but they understood that the moment was just the first step of a long journey. “We ... Read More about Unstoppable: Cairo’s journey for kidney care began even before birth
Patient Stories
From South Africa to Boston: Kyleigh’s four-year search for good heart health
Kyleigh Kista had three open-heart surgeries in just the first 18 months of her life. But instead of progressing, her health was rapidly deteriorating by the time she reached 3. Her doctors said there was little else they could do, except make her a candidate for a heart and lung transplant. It was shattering news ... Read More about From South Africa to Boston: Kyleigh’s four-year search for good heart health
Research
Previous COVID-19 or MIS-C does not protect kids from Omicron
You would think that having had COVID-19 once, you’d have antibodies that would protect you against repeat infections. But studies of adults have shown that Omicron doesn’t go by that logic. A new study, led by Dr. Adrienne Randolph of Boston Children’s Hospital and Dr. Surender Khurana of the Food and Drug Administration, confirms that ... Read More about Previous COVID-19 or MIS-C does not protect kids from Omicron
Research
Getting to the heart of heart muscle function
Every heart muscle cell, or cardiomyocyte, is studded with tiny, intricate structures called dyads. The dyads are like orchestra conductors: They coordinate incoming electrical signals with release of calcium in the muscle, triggering contraction. When dyads work properly, the different segments of heart muscle contract in unison; when they don’t, heartbeats may be too weak ... Read More about Getting to the heart of heart muscle function