Archive for urinary tract infection
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
The power of a second opinion for Merritt’s spina bifida care
In March 2020 — at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown — Jenna, Brian, and their 2-year-old daughter Merritt were practically the only passengers on their flight from Charlotte to Boston. Waiting for them in Massachusetts were Dr. Benjamin Warf, Dr. Carlos Estrada, and other experts from the Spina Bifida and Spinal Cord Conditions Center ... Read More about The power of a second opinion for Merritt’s spina bifida care
‘Part of the process’: How a second opinion helped Wynn take control of bladder function
Wynton “Wynn” Smith-Webb is “the most inquisitive kid you’ll ever meet,” laughs his mother, Amber. At just 3 years old, he’s intrigued by science, nature, travel, and even medicine. It’s a mindset he might have picked up from Amber, a professor who says she lives “knee-deep” in data every day. So when Wynn recently began ... Read More about ‘Part of the process’: How a second opinion helped Wynn take control of bladder function
Drawing on data to revolutionize pediatric urology
At first blush, data analytics — sifting through raw data to discover patterns and draw conclusions from them — seems far afield from the practice of pediatric urology. One discipline involves crunching numbers at a computer, while the other involves caring for patients in the clinic or operating room (OR). But for members of Boston ... Read More about Drawing on data to revolutionize pediatric urology
Building a better bladder: Reconstructive urologic surgery helps Mikey thrive
When Mikey Tibbetts’ parents, Johanna and Matt, take him trick-or-treating, the process can last for hours. “He knows everyone and wants to stop and talk,” laughs Johanna. “We call him the mayor.” Indeed, the “super-smart” 9-year-old has even memorized the entire map of his hometown in southeastern Massachusetts. Mikey’s popularity extends to Boston Children’s Hospital, ... Read More about Building a better bladder: Reconstructive urologic surgery helps Mikey thrive
Predicting the best treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in kids: The power of machine learning
The result of abnormal formation of the normal valve between the kidney and bladder, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) can lead to recurrent febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney scarring in children. Previous research has shown that when taken continuously, prophylactic antibiotics can reduce the risk of recurrent UTI in about half of this population. However, ... Read More about Predicting the best treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in kids: The power of machine learning
Urodynamics testing: What to expect
If your child has been diagnosed with a colorectal or pelvic malformation, they may also experience urological problems such as vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, or neurogenic bladder. These conditions can make it difficult to store or empty urine properly, leading to incontinence and accidents. “For these reasons, a urologist is often involved in the care of ... Read More about Urodynamics testing: What to expect
Recurrent UTIs in boys
Painful, frequent and urgent urination — they’re the telltale signs of a urinary tract infection, or UTI, something most pediatricians see on a regular basis. The approach to care is usually simple: urinalysis, a course of antibiotics, plenty of fluids and a discussion about proper hygiene. Most of the time, the infection clears up with no ... Read More about Recurrent UTIs in boys