Archive for gastroenterology
Innovative POEM procedure gives Emma an option for achalasia
Like a lot of teenagers, Emma Reiner loves pizza — so it shouldn’t have been a surprise when she recently enjoyed four slices in one sitting. But for Emma, the meal was an accomplishment. For more than a year, she had felt nauseous after taking just a few bites of food. “It felt like the ... Read More about Innovative POEM procedure gives Emma an option for achalasia
Making food fun: Jacob’s journey with feeding difficulties
Most parents might discourage their child from playing with their food. But for Lorraine Scanlon, getting her son Jacob to have fun at the table is all part of taking the pressure out of eating. In fact, it’s an approach recommended by his health care team. Jacob, now 8, has had feeding challenges since he ... Read More about Making food fun: Jacob’s journey with feeding difficulties
Sending kids to school with celiac disease: One mom shares her story
As a neonatologist, it’s my job to understand and treat babies who need critical care. But as a mom whose two children live with celiac disease, it’s my job to find people who understand their specific medical needs and will advocate for them as much as possible. That’s why I’m so grateful for the Celiac ... Read More about Sending kids to school with celiac disease: One mom shares her story
Saving Laila: Family travels from Egypt for answers about rare genetic condition
When Aya Hendawy got off the plane that had brought her from Egypt to Boston, she didn’t linger in the airport or consider which tourist attractions to visit. Instead, she took a car directly to the Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital, her daughter Laila in tow. “I asked them to please try to save ... Read More about Saving Laila: Family travels from Egypt for answers about rare genetic condition
Piecing together the preterm infant microbiome
The human microbiome — the collection of microbes living in the gut — is now recognized as an important contributor to health and disease. The environment, the host, and microbe-microbe interactions are all likely to shape the microbiome’s dynamics, but the unique roles of each are not well understood. Now, a Boston Children’s Hospital infectious ... Read More about Piecing together the preterm infant microbiome
IBD surgery gives Ben a new taste for life (and hamburgers)
Ben Irland, 13, has been enjoying a lot of hamburgers lately. It’s an exciting development for him, since until recently meat — as well as most other foods — caused him pain. That’s because Ben has been dealing with the effects of Crohn’s disease, one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for the past decade. ... Read More about IBD surgery gives Ben a new taste for life (and hamburgers)
Going ‘all in’ for Khori: New hope for congenital enteropathy
Khori LeBlanc is “one of the sassiest and sweetest kids you’ll ever meet,” says her mom, Bryanna Black. Her good mood even carries over to her many hospital visits, where she can be often be found practicing her “karate” moves on the way to an appointment. It’s a resilient attitude that has served her well ... Read More about Going ‘all in’ for Khori: New hope for congenital enteropathy
Study: Even strict gluten-free diets may not completely prevent gluten exposure
Even a strict gluten-free (GF) diet may not help people with celiac disease completely avoid gluten. That’s the finding of a recent study by Jocelyn Silvester, MD, PhD, and her colleagues at the University of Manitoba, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the University of Seville. They sought to determine whether GF diets still contain ... Read More about Study: Even strict gluten-free diets may not completely prevent gluten exposure
Global partnership leads to improved treatment for childhood diarrhea
Diarrheal diseases remain a major childhood health problem in many parts of the world. Each year, they lead to the deaths of more than 500,000 children under age 5 globally. A new large clinical trial based in Tanzania and India, led by investigators at Boston Children’s Hospital, local research universities, and the World Health Organization ... Read More about Global partnership leads to improved treatment for childhood diarrhea
Yoga program helps children and teens better manage IBD and stress
In a dimly lit room, about a half dozen teens stand quietly, each trying to balance on one leg. The teacher demonstrates, her other leg bent and knee pointing to the side, forming a flag shape. This could be a typical yoga class being held just about anywhere in the United States. But the room ... Read More about Yoga program helps children and teens better manage IBD and stress