Archive for Archives
Answers for Aubree: Finding support for OEIS
Michelle and Stephen Strickland are used to having questions about their infant daughter, Aubree’s, health. After all, Aubree was born last year with a rare and complex condition called cloacal exstrophy, or OEIS syndrome, in which many of the internal abdominal structures and organs are exposed outside the body. OEIS can include an omphalocele, rectal ... Read More
‘Anything is possible’: The sky’s the limit for teen with cerebral palsy
Jack Goldberg is on a mission. “I want other kids to see that if you work hard and put your mind to something, anything can be possible,” he says. “The sky’s the limit.” He should know. At 13, he competed in the National Finals to become one of Canada’s top-ranked pony jumpers in his division. ... Read More
Transgender discrimination in health care: What families should know
Earlier in June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a regulation that would eliminate some protections for transgender patients against discrimination by clinicians, hospitals, and health insurance companies. Our understanding is that this change is being challenged in court, as such discrimination isn’t just hurtful — it can also be harmful to ... Read More
Coming to Boston Children’s during COVID-19: Keith’s story
At just 4 years old, Keith Bennett has spent more time in the hospital than most kids ever will. Diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome, he visits Boston Children’s Hospital several times a week — and has continued to do so throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as Boston Children’s begins to move ... Read More
Finding gender-affirming care: Elijah’s story
Elijah de la Torre and her family recently relocated from the second-largest state in the U.S. to the smallest. But their move from Texas to Rhode Island has revealed more differences than just geography. “When it comes to Elijah’s care, it’s like night and day,” says her mom, Sarah. But she recognizes the benefits of ... Read More
How to encourage your child to wear a mask for COVID-19 protection
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone older than age 2 wear a face covering in public unless they have significant breathing problems. Whether you’re coming to the hospital for an appointment or are simply trying to enjoy more time outdoors, your child will likely need wear a mask in public. ... Read More
Four ways to support LGBTQ+ kids during the COVID-19 outbreak
Being stuck in close quarters with family can be stressful for any kid. But for some children, teens, and young adults, staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic can be fraught with even more anxiety. With schools closed and social distancing in effect, LGBTQ+ kids may experience a loss of community. Gender-diverse youth may experience increased ... Read More
Signs of diabetes and other medical emergencies: Don’t delay care during the COVID outbreak
Merlin Ladd had been home from school for about six weeks when his parents started to notice that something was off. At first, they thought that the 13-year-old — like many of us — was simply in a funk from being stuck inside due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “He seemed lethargic and out of sorts,” ... Read More
COVID-19 pandemic may put kids at risk for accidental poisonings
In the effort to keep kids safe from the new coronavirus, families could be unwittingly putting them at risk for another threat: accidental poisonings. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calls to Poison Control Centers during January through March 2020 regarding accidental disinfectant and cleaning exposures increased by 20 percent compared ... Read More
Burnout from COVID-19: What clinicians should know
Many clinicians are already all too familiar with the extreme exhaustion and stress associated with burnout. According to one recent report, overall rates of physician burnout for 2019 were at 42 percent. While that’s a slight drop from five years ago, these statistics don’t take the current COVID-19 pandemic into account. Although we don’t yet ... Read More