Patient Stories
PK deficiency clinical trial: Jim’s volleyball ace
Growing up with pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK deficiency) wasn’t always the easiest thing, but it was my reality. My visits to Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center helped give me perspective — although my condition was difficult to deal with, it certainly was not the worst condition I could have. It made me grateful ... Read More about PK deficiency clinical trial: Jim’s volleyball ace
Health and Parenting
Let them play: Why free play is crucial for kids
As the school season winds down, you may be wondering how to keep your kids busy if they’re home all day. Consider letting them play. What is free play? Free play is any type of unstructured play that is directed by the child. It helps children develop their imaginations while experiencing and exploring the world ... Read More about Let them play: Why free play is crucial for kids
Research
New strategies for restoring myelin on damaged nerve cells
Key takeaways Myelin is an essential fatty substance coating surrounding nerve axons. After injury, regenerated nerve axons usually fail to remyelinate, inhibiting nerve cell communication. A combination treatment led to remyelination in about 60 percent of regenerated axons. This research may have implications in other diseases associated with myelin loss, like multiple sclerosis. Loss of ... Read More about New strategies for restoring myelin on damaged nerve cells
Research
COVID-19 virus levels in children: Differences between asymptomatic vs. symptomatic kids
A new study finds that most asymptomatic children who tested positive for COVID-19 had lower levels of the virus compared to symptomatic children. While it is the first large and comprehensive investigation of its kind in asymptomatic children, several important questions remain unanswered. Nira Pollock “Our study did show that asymptomatic children had lower viral ... Read More about COVID-19 virus levels in children: Differences between asymptomatic vs. symptomatic kids
Research
A COVID-19 DNA nanoswitch: A new kind of test for a new kind of virus
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down research laboratories across the country, several labs at Boston Children’s Hospital geared up, including that of Wesley Wong, PhD. He and his team responded to the threat by developing a new, easy diagnostic test for COVID-19. Wesley Wong “Our technology, a DNA nanoswitch, is a new way of probing ... Read More about A COVID-19 DNA nanoswitch: A new kind of test for a new kind of virus
Patient Stories
Clubfoot bracing for an active boy: Finn’s story
When Finn Beaulieu learned how to say elephant, he ran around the house repeating the word at least 20 times. When asked to rate his activity level, his mother Carolyn says, “He’s 2½, I would say his activity level is high.” Finn’s joy of movement can make it challenging for his parents to put him ... Read More about Clubfoot bracing for an active boy: Finn’s story
Patient Stories
Dancer stays on toes during kidney cancer treatment
Carly Tobin loves dancing for the fun and freedom it provides. During treatment for a rare pediatric kidney cancer known as Wilms tumor, the pre-teen’s passion also proved a vital source of strength. Diagnosed in early June 2019, Carly — now 11 and cancer-free — underwent surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood ... Read More about Dancer stays on toes during kidney cancer treatment
Patient Stories
Life-changing second opinion for laryngeal cleft helps Tyler thrive
When Brittany Browne was in school to become a speech language pathologist, she briefly learned about a type of congenital defect called a laryngeal cleft. “We were told it’s so rare that we’d probably never encounter one in practice and didn’t really need to know about it,” she recalls. Yet years later, as her young ... Read More about Life-changing second opinion for laryngeal cleft helps Tyler thrive
Clinical Care
Language barriers linked with medical errors in hospitalized children
A new study finds that hospitalized children whose families have limited comfort with English are twice as likely to experience medical errors. The study, which did not include patient data from Boston Children’s Hospital, highlights the need for improving communication between these families and the health care providers they interact with to ensure the safety ... Read More about Language barriers linked with medical errors in hospitalized children
Patient Stories
Carolann’s story: When it’s more than a concussion
Cheerleading had always been a big part of Carolann Hurley’s life. So when she was dropped by accident as a sophomore in high school and diagnosed with a concussion, she had no intention of stopping. It wasn’t her first concussion. But this time was different — she kept blacking out and was having frequent migraines ... Read More about Carolann’s story: When it’s more than a concussion