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18 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained on Road Trips This article was originally published in September 2021 and updated in December 2023. If you’re getting out of town, there’s a good chance it’s in the family car. The trick is keeping your child occupied for all that time on the road. Here are ideas that boost imagination and

Mononucleosis: What College Students Need to Know By Andrew Carlson, MD: Mononucleosis, often called "mono" for short, is a common viral infection that can affect people of all ages, including college students. Connecticut Children's Andrew Carlson, MD, Medical Director of Primary Care, explores what “Mono” is, its symptoms, how it spreads, and how to

5 Ways to Introduce Your Child to the Digital World By Christine Tatem: Every month, hundreds of new apps and digital games are released for kids — some beneficial, some harmless and some your child is definitely better off without. How do you choose? Connecticut Children’s Child Life Specialist Christine Tatem shares tips.

6 Easy, Healthy Recipes You Can Make With Your Kids By Jennifer Zarrilli, MS, RD: If you’re looking for a fun activity with kids that doubles as a healthy habit, your kitchen is a great place to start. Making healthy recipes together is a way to get your child excited about nutrition, teach them important skills and share quality time – all while preparing a

Preventing Injuries and Violence Related to COVID-19 Pandemic By Garry Lapidus, PA-C, MPH: By: Garry Lapidus, PA-C, MPH As all of our systems and institutions react and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we should also keep an eye out for changes in the frequency of preventable, unintentional injuries and violence. Just as the coronavirus can cause mild to severe and

Hope Blooms: The Foxglove Plant's Impact on Pediatric Brain Tumors By Michael Isakoff, MD: Our research capabilities are growing constantly, breakthroughs are happening more frequently, and we are able to not only save more and more children, but also to help them thrive as cancer survivors. We believe hope may be on the horizon for medulloblastoma, a common pediatric

Don’t Try This Trend: Keeping Kids Safe with Electronics and Social Media By John Brancato, MD: Many students use laptops like Chromebooks for homework, class projects, and even talking with teachers. But lately, a dangerous TikTok trend has been going around. It encourages kids to blow up or damage their school-issued or personal laptops—and it’s causing real harm

Creating Routines to Help Your Child Cope With COVID-19 Uncertainty By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: Life with kids is rarely predictable, but COVID-19 school closures, quarantines, and shifting work schedules have taken things to an extreme. Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD , has tips for creating consistency in all that chaos.

When Is It More Than a Stomach Virus? Understanding Abdominal Migraine in Children By Annette Vannilam, MD: Most parents are familiar with the stomach virus. It comes on suddenly, causes nausea or vomiting, and usually improves within a few days. But... If episodes of abdominal pain or vomiting keep coming back — especially when your child is completely fine in between — it may be time

8 Common Autism Myths (and the Facts Parents Need to Know) By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: If your child is autistic or being evaluated for autism, it seems like the whole world has an opinion. You might hear advice from friends, see posts on social media, or even read conflicting information online. With so much misinformation out there, it’s hard to know what to

Beyond Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Air Force Pilot Achieves His Dream Since he was a little kid, John Kostal dreamed of flying. At 21 years old, he was on the verge of achieving it as part of the United States Air Force. Then he got the bad news. After years of working toward a coveted pilot’s slot, his medical exams had detected a lingering heart

Beyond Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD): Lincoln’s Story For new parents Kirsten and Elijah, the arrival of their first child, Lincoln, in March 2023 was a moment of pure bliss. However, just a week after bringing him home, their world shifted when Kirsten received a call that no parent imagines—a flagged abnormality had appeared in

Blood Clots in Kids: What Parents Should Know By Laura McKay, MD: While blood clots are rare in children, they can still happen. Knowing what to look for can help you get the right care quickly. A blood clot can become serious if left untreated, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Laura McKay, MD, pediatric hematologist

The 10 Most Common Sports Injuries in Kids and Young Athletes If your child is an athlete, they’re probably excited to resume the sports activities they love this fall. But returning to play after time off comes with the risk of injury. It’s important to catch injuries early, before they turn serious. What should you and your young athlete

Beyond Orthopedic Injuries: One Fairfield County Family’s Story By Anthony Pastore, MS, PA-C: For Ronnie Klein, a physician and mom of five in Fairfield County, one thing is non-negotiable: care from true pediatric specialists. “Having the right subspecialist is really important — that level of expertise makes a difference,” Ronnie says. “And in Fairfield County