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A Visit to the Pediatric Neurosurgeon: What to Expect By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: If your child has been referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon, you may be feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect. That is totally normal. The idea of seeing a “ brain and spine doctor” can feel scary. But this visit doesn’t always mean your child will need surgery. It

7 Strategies to Help Autistic and Special Needs Kids Prepare for a Doctor's Visit By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: Kids with autism and other special needs can have a tough time getting used to new routines, people and places. Doctor’s visits can be especially challenging, because these visits are rarely frequent enough for kids to remember what to expect. But a little preparation goes a long

Connecticut Children’s Connects with Patients & Families Through Secure Video Visits

How to Pack a Go-Bag for Your Child’s Unexpected ED or Urgent Care Visits If it might be an emergency, don’t wait! Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department (ED) is always open, and our experts provide evening and weekend pediatric urgent care in Farmington. Pack a “go-bag” now, so it’s ready when you need it.

How to Prepare Younger Kids for the COVID-19 Vaccine This post was last updated November 4, 2021. Parents and caregivers, this is an exciting time: A COVID-19 vaccine is now available for ages 5 to 11. Since kids in this age group might be a little more nervous about needles or doctor’s visits, Connecticut Children’s Child Life

Why Your Child Needs Their Flu Shot ASAP (and Maybe a Second Shot, Too): A Note From Our Physician-in-Chief By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This is a hectic back-to-school season for many families – but don’t be tempted to put off your child’s flu shot. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it’s important to get kids vaccinated for the flu as soon as possible. Physician-in-Chief Juan Salazar, MD, MPH shares why you

Flu vs. COVID-19: How to Tell If Your Child Is Sick and What to Do By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: This article was originally published in September 2024. Updated in February 2025. With flu season here, Connecticut Children’s infectious disease pediatrician John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH, fields an important question: is it the flu or COVID-19?

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Is Now Authorized for Ages 12 and Up. Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: This post was last updated November 4, 2021. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 to 15. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, answers common questions about

Ask a Pediatrician: Can Kids Get the COVID-19 Vaccine and Flu Shot at the Same Time? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: Many parents wonder if their child can get both immunizations at once. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP, answers.

Mycoplasma Pneumoniae in Kids: What to Know About this Bacteria By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: Mycoplasma is on the rise right now in Connecticut, crowding emergency rooms, and parents have questions. Connecticut Children's Physician-in-Chief, Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP, has answers.

3 Bedtime Challenges Your Kids Might Be Having Now – and How to Solve Them By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD: Many factors in life can disrupt routines, create stress – and make sleep more difficult. How can you keep your child’s sleep on track? Connecticut Children’s behavioral sleep psychologist Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD, joins the Growing Healthy blog with tips.

8 Kidney Health Tips for Kids of All Ages By Robyn Matloff, MD, MPH: Kidneys—those bean-shaped organs in the abdomen—are superheroes! Did you know they act as filters to protect the bloodstream from waste and extra fluid? They also keep blood pressure and electrolyte balance in check. Dr. Robyn Matloff, Pediatric Nephrologist, shares eight fun

Meet Randy Stevens, MD, Pediatric Heart Surgeon By Randy Stevens, MD: Randy Stevens, MD, joined Connecticut Children's this spring. We look forward to his contributions to our diverse team of medical experts at the Heart Center. Get to know a bit more about Dr. Stevens in the interview below.

Meet Rachel: Making a Difference in Children’s Lives Through Excellent Care After working alongside Advanced Practice Providers (APP) for several years as a bedside nurse, Rachel Caplan, APRN, was inspired to go back to school. Now a nurse practitioner in Hospital Medicine, Rachel creates a genuine connection with patients and their families by

Are Your Child’s Symptoms From RSV or Something Else? What to Know About This Common Illness By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: Did you know it’s peak season for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV? On one hand, RSV is nothing new. If your child is over the age of 2, they’ve probably had it at least once. As an adult, you might get sick with it every few years. On the other hand, RSV can be serious for