Patient Stories
Seeing what’s possible: Pediatric stroke doesn’t slow James down
James Veling is only 6 years old, but he has a whole bag of medals. He’s won them by placing in various Spartan obstacle races and 5Ks, sometimes besting multiple adults in the process. James is following in the footsteps of his father, David — literally. “I started running a few years ago, partly as ... Read More
Health and Parenting
Sports injuries: Why ignoring pain is bad for athletes
“No guts, no glory.” “No pain, no gain.” “Rub some dirt in it.” Sports clichés like these encourage young athletes to push themselves even when their bodies tell them to stop. But sucking it up raises players’ risk of sports injuries. If he could, Dr. Mininder Kocher, chief of the Sports Medicine Division, would erase ... Read More
Research
Lung ‘organoids’ capture early-stage lung cancer; could help test treatments
Lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in the U.S., is often missed in its earlier stages. And while recent imaging advances offer earlier detection, early-stage lung cancers still have no targeted treatments. Key takeaways Mini “organoids” made from lung cells offer a rapid platform for tracking early-stage lung cancers and for testing possible treatments. RNA ... Read More
Health and Parenting
COVID and suicidal thoughts: Help for families
Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released stark new figures on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. One in four young adults (age 18 to 24) surveyed reported seriously considering suicide during the previous 30 days — an increase from years past. Rates of suicidal thoughts were also high in ... Read More
Patient Stories
From Alabama for answers: Adella’s thyroid journey
She may only be 12 years old, but Adella Jackson has already expanded her family’s perspective. “She’s broadened our horizons,” says her mother, Cindy. “If it wasn’t for Adella, we never would have gotten to visit Boston, for example.” The Jacksons, who hail from Alabama, have loved exploring the city’s rich history and art museums ... Read More
Health and Parenting
Back to school and COVID-19: Tips for divorced parents
Fall 2020 will go down in history as one of the most complicated back-to-school seasons ever. The uncertainties of the academic year and COVID-19 have put parents in a bind: how to give kids the benefits of in-person learning without putting them — or the rest of the family — at risk of infection. For ... Read More
Health and Parenting
COVID-19 tests: What families should know
As schools and businesses are looking to safely reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re hearing more about testing for COVID-19. But there isn’t just one “COVID-19 test.” All of the tests have one goal: to detect whether someone is or has been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. But they work in different ... Read More
Health and Parenting
COVID-19 and kids: Do you know myth from fact?
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, there is still much misinformation and confusion about how kids are affected by the illness. Test your knowledge by taking our quiz. Take our previous quiz and get more answers about Boston Children’s response to COVID-19. Share this:
Health and Parenting
How masks protect against COVID-19: Understanding the science
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S., including in children, wearing a face covering is more important than ever. We know wearing a mask can get tiresome, but they really are essential. To help understand how face masks can keep you and your child safer, we spoke with Dr. Thomas ... Read More
Our Community
Provider Spotlight: Meet Carla Coutinho
Before joining the clinical team at Boston Children’s Primary Care at Martha Eliot, Carla Reis Coutinho was a pediatric nurse in Lowell, Massachusetts. Earlier in her career, she provided educational and career counseling for students who speak English as a second language. What’s your job at Boston Children’s Primary Care at Martha Eliot? As a ... Read More