Research
Two drugs join forces against COVID-19
Two drugs, including one developed by a researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital, inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in tests of human cells. Both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod, originally developed years ago, target a large enzyme called PIKfyve kinase. Prior to this study, little was known about this enzyme’s role in COVID-19 infection. Details ... Read More about Two drugs join forces against COVID-19
Health and Parenting
Preparing your kids for the new school year during COVID-19
This back-to-school season is shaping up to be unlike any before. As kids, parents, teachers, and schools approach the start of a new school year, there are still many questions about exactly what school might look like in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many questions around school reopening, many parents don’t know ... Read More about Preparing your kids for the new school year during COVID-19
Our Community
The impact of COVID-19 on communities of color
Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become increasingly clear that some racial and ethnic groups have high rates of infection and death from the virus. Recent national data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that Black Americans are five times more likely than white Americans to get COVID-19, and Latino Americans ... Read More about The impact of COVID-19 on communities of color
Patient Stories
Crista forms lifelong friendship with her cancer doctor
It’s impossible not to notice the connection between Crista Cardillo and Dr. Kim Stegmaier. The way they laugh and swap stories might make you think they grew up down the street from one another. But their friendship began differently than most: as patient and oncologist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. When Crista was ... Read More about Crista forms lifelong friendship with her cancer doctor
Patient Stories
Matt’s story: An innovative approach to midaortic syndrome
Until he was 12-and-a-half, Matt Sarracco had hardly missed a day of school. In fact, he had won awards for his near-perfect attendance. So it was concerning when, at a routine physical, his blood pressure soared to extremely high levels. “At first we thought the cuff must be broken,” says his mother, Kelly. But subsequent ... Read More about Matt’s story: An innovative approach to midaortic syndrome
Clinical Care
Exploring the link between homelessness and COVID-19
With COVID-19 cases continuing to surge across the nation, it’s increasingly clear that people who don’t have a stable living situation find it much more challenging to shelter in place. Homelessness affects as many as 58,000 families — and more than 100,000 children — in the U.S. on any given night. More than three-quarters of ... Read More about Exploring the link between homelessness and COVID-19
Patient Stories
Bone cancer surgery: A difficult choice
Nolan and Natasha might never have met if they hadn’t been diagnosed with bone cancer. Nolan, 13, is a natural athlete who lives in Maine. Natasha, 11, lives in Rhode Island and loves music and theater. As kids go, the two are pretty different — except for their osteosarcoma diagnoses and the surgery to remove ... Read More about Bone cancer surgery: A difficult choice
Clinical Care
A global view of rheumatic disease during COVID-19
COVID-19 is bringing new challenges to many people with underlying rheumatic disease who already are immunocompromised by the very nature of their illnesses or the medications used to treat them. To help manage those uncertainties in the current climate, Boston Children’s Hospital is participating in two surveys: one collecting information from rheumatologists, the other directly ... Read More about A global view of rheumatic disease during COVID-19
Clinical Care
Trial tests dornase alfa, a cystic fibrosis drug, for severe COVID pneumonia
Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital will soon begin testing an existing drug, dornase alfa, in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. The randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to enroll 60 adults and children over age 3 who require mechanical ventilation. Key takeaways:· A randomized trial is testing whether a cystic ... Read More about Trial tests dornase alfa, a cystic fibrosis drug, for severe COVID pneumonia
Research
A master regulator of kidney health?
End-stage kidney disease often begins with injury to podocytes. These highly specialized cells are a critical part of the glomeruli, clusters of capillaries that serve as the filtration units in our kidneys’ tightly-packed nephrons. As their name suggests, podocytes extend tiny foot processes to intermingle with the capillaries and filter the blood, maintaining the proper ... Read More about A master regulator of kidney health?