Research
Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
Pediatric high-grade gliomas, particularly H3K27M diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), are aggressive malignant brain tumors with a poor prognosis. Previous research suggests that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) appears to play a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of both adult and pediatric high-grade gliomas. Not only are genetic alterations of PDGFRA common in patients with ... Read More about Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
A better treatment for endometriosis could lie in migraine medications
Endometriosis is a common, mysterious, often painful condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, forming lesions in locations such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvis. These lesions can cause severe pain during periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, and sometimes painful bowel movements and urination. Existing ... Read More about A better treatment for endometriosis could lie in migraine medications
Patient Stories
‘They never stopped trying to figure out what was happening’: RyennAnne’s encephalitis journey
When 5-year-old RyennAnne Hurst developed a bad sore throat last summer, her doctor thought she might have strep and prescribed her antibiotics. But two weeks later, she wasn’t feeling any better. In fact, she was lethargic and her head hurt. “She told us it felt like something was smashing into the right side of her ... Read More about ‘They never stopped trying to figure out what was happening’: RyennAnne’s encephalitis journey
Patient Stories
Pirate puzzles and peekaboo: Beckett’s brachial plexus birth injury story
Beckett Stone-Lyman is an adorable, fun 2-year-old who loves to run, sprint, and climb. If he’s not charging around the playground, he’s probably doing a pirate puzzle. Or maybe he’s staring at his fingers as he wiggles them, amazed that his right hand can now do many of the same things as his left. Thanks ... Read More about Pirate puzzles and peekaboo: Beckett’s brachial plexus birth injury story
Patient Stories
A fall from a swing uncovers a rare cervical spine condition: Charlotte’s story
If it were any other year, Charlotte Gillis would have celebrated her 10th birthday in mid-July with a big party. But in June 2024, a fall from a swing had left her temporarily paralyzed. Though her mobility returned within a few hours, she was still in a neck brace, still wobbly on her feet, and ... Read More about A fall from a swing uncovers a rare cervical spine condition: Charlotte’s story
Research
Modeling urinary tract disorders on a chip: Zohreh Izadifar
When a new tissue sample arrives from the Department of Urology, the Boston Children’s Hospital lab of Zohreh Izadifar, PhD springs into action. The tissue, from a child with urinary tract pathology, is whisked into the tissue culture room. Under a hood, lab members Dasvit Shetty, PhD, and Gretchen Carpenter, MSc, carefully isolate the cells ... Read More about Modeling urinary tract disorders on a chip: Zohreh Izadifar
Research
A surprising link between Crohn’s disease and the Epstein-Barr virus
Crohn’s disease, a debilitating inflammatory bowel disease, has many known contributing factors, including bacterial changes in the microbiome that foster an inflammatory environment. Now, for the first time, Crohn’s disease been tied to a virus — specifically, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), best known for causing infectious mononucleosis (mono). Researchers had already observed increased levels of EBV ... Read More about A surprising link between Crohn’s disease and the Epstein-Barr virus
Research
Addressing food insecurity and nutrition challenges in pediatric type 1 diabetes care
Managing type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming for children and families. As children learn to live with the disease, many cut back on visits to their nutritionists. Others face barriers like food insecurity that make it difficult to maintain a balanced diet. And without the proper professional support and access to healthy foods, children’s overall ... Read More about Addressing food insecurity and nutrition challenges in pediatric type 1 diabetes care
Health and Parenting
The surprising energy demands of marathon training
Training for a marathon? Are you eating enough to help your body recover from one long training run and gear up for the next one? A surprising number of marathon runners don’t. In a study of athletes training for the Boston Marathon, more than two in five women and almost one in five men regularly ... Read More about The surprising energy demands of marathon training
Research
Could peripheral neuropathy be stopped before it starts?
An increase in high-fat, high-fructose foods in people’s diets has contributed to a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes. This, in turn, has led to an increase in peripheral neuropathy — nerve damage, typically in the hands and feet — that causes weakness, loss of sensation and, in some, a stabbing, burning, or tingling pain. ... Read More about Could peripheral neuropathy be stopped before it starts?