Patient Stories
Finally heard: How finding a doctor who listened helped change Carter’s life
In some ways, Carter Sousa is like any other 13-year-old: He’s obsessed with videos, loves animals, and enjoys hanging out with his friends. But for much of his childhood, Carter and his parents found themselves struggling with a frustrating and embarrassing problem that seemed to have no clear solution. Soon after he was born, Carter ... Read More about Finally heard: How finding a doctor who listened helped change Carter’s life
Health and Parenting
Eight tips to help you make it through the winter
It’s officially 2021 and we have two approved vaccines for COVID-19 that are rolling out across the country. While this is great news, the reality is that we’re still facing a few more months of social distancing before we’re able to return to any type of “normal” lifestyle. And in the chill and darkness of ... Read More about Eight tips to help you make it through the winter
Health and Parenting
The COVID-19 vaccine for kids: When will children be vaccinated?
In late 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency use authorization to two COVID-19 vaccines — one from Pfizer/BioNTech, the other from Moderna. Other vaccines are expected to be authorized soon. Currently the Pfizer vaccine can be given to people ages 16 years and older; Moderna’s is for use in those 18 ... Read More about The COVID-19 vaccine for kids: When will children be vaccinated?
Research
‘Mosaic’ gene mutations could explain some cases of autism
The causes of autism remain mysterious. Scientists have linked autism spectrum disorder to a long list of genes, but most children with autism have no known explanation. Two new studies add to the picture, implicating mutations that affect only a fraction of a child’s cells. Called mosaic mutations, they open a new avenue for research ... Read More about ‘Mosaic’ gene mutations could explain some cases of autism
Health and Parenting
Answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
Update: On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for use of the Pfizer vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in teens between the ages of 12 and 15. This broadens the group of people eligible for the Pfizer vaccine to those ages 12 and older. To help answer the most ... Read More about Answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
Research
Therapy developed at Boston Children’s stops preeclampsia before it starts
Preeclampsia occurs in about 3 to 5 percent of all pregnancies. Characterized by very high maternal blood pressure, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, complications in both mother and baby. In severe cases, early delivery is often the only effective treatment, usually before the baby’s lungs are fully developed. Researchers within the Division of ... Read More about Therapy developed at Boston Children’s stops preeclampsia before it starts
Clinical Care
Arthritis drug reduces rates of acute graft-vs-host disease after bone marrow transplant
The immune-suppressing drug abatacept, currently used for rheumatoid arthritis, could make bone marrow transplant safer, report researchers at the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The phase 2 randomized, multi-center clinical trial, the largest to date, appears in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Abatacept (brand name ORENCIA) reduced rates of severe, acute graft-versus-host disease ... Read More about Arthritis drug reduces rates of acute graft-vs-host disease after bone marrow transplant
Health and Parenting
The new COVID-19 virus variant: What you need to know
You’ve probably seen news reports about B.1.1.7, a newly discovered version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Now found in several countries, including the U.S., B.1.1.7 is quickly spreading around the world. Although B.1.1.7 seems to be more contagious, it doesn’t appear to lead to more serious illness. What else do we know about ... Read More about The new COVID-19 virus variant: What you need to know
Health and Parenting
Is it “good” or “bad” for your child? Removing morality from eating
Teaching our children to eat well is not a simple task — but perhaps that’s because we are looking at it from the wrong angle. Often, we focus on statistics about obesity or eating disorders rather than fostering a positive relationship with food. However, it’s crucial that families understand the seriousness surrounding disordered eating so ... Read More about Is it “good” or “bad” for your child? Removing morality from eating
Patient Stories
Charlee: Bouncing back after neuroblastoma treatment
Call it mother’s intuition, but leading up to her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, Erica Jensen knew something wasn’t right. At just 10 months, Charlee had started walking, and since taking her first steps the excited toddler was constantly exploring the world around her. Then, at around 15 months, something changed. It wasn’t obvious at first — ... Read More about Charlee: Bouncing back after neuroblastoma treatment