Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Clinical Pathway Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is associated with significant pain and prolonged hospitalization. Standardizing care for posterior spinal fusion can allow early mobilization, decreased LOS, and minimize opioid related side effects. We also wish to
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How to Help Kids Handle Holiday Disappointment if Omicron Changes Your Plans By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: The holidays are always full of surprises. This year, as we wait to learn more about the Omicron variant, families are dealing with more uncertainty than usual. Whether you’re rethinking travel, opting for a smaller gathering, or dealing with a family member’s COVID-19 exposure Article
How Do I Safely Clean My Child's Ears? By Rachelle Wareham, MD: This article was originally published in March 2025 and has been updated on June 23, 2025 with a video. Did you know there are right and “wrong” ways to clean your child’s ears? According to Rachelle Wareham, MD, pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT), it’s common to see kids with ear
Referrals Find resources for referring patients to Connecticut Children's, including access to EpicCare Link, directions to submit an online referral form, and contact information for our OneCall physician access line.
Evaluation and Management of Suspected Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) Infection Clinical Pathway Clostridioides difficile is a significant infection that is becoming more common in children. Although most episodes can be treated with initial empiric first line therapies, some patients should receive a pre-emptive escalation of therapy. Further, when recurrence becomes an
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: Perioperative Care Clinical Pathway Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a common procedure with greater than 500,000 performed annually in the United States. However, there is variability in peri-operative and post-operative care for these patients. This can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction for patients
Esophageal Button Battery Management Clinical Pathway In the US, approximately 3,500 children are treated annually in emergency departments for button battery ingestion. Button batteries that are lodged in the esophagus have the potential to cause catastrophic thermal injuries. Quick recognition and removal of the battery leads to
Hemangioma Management Clinical Pathway Infantile hemangiomas are common benign tumors that can cause significant complications such as permanent disfigurement, ulceration, bleeding, visual compromise, airway obstruction, and congestive heart failure. They affect up to 2-5% of all infants and up to 30% of premature
Ovarian Torsion Clinical Pathway Ovarian torsion is the complete or partial rotation of the ovary on its pedicle, leading to ischemia and potential loss of the ovary. Early diagnosis can be challenging as ovarian torsion accounts for only 3% of acute abdominal pain in females, and can mimic other more common
Peripheral Venous Access Clinical Pathway Peripheral venous access is a frequently performed procedure, and the most common source of pain, for children in the hospital. Pain control is a high priority for patients and families and pain experiences can have long term effects on children. The use of topical anesthetics
Brachial Plexus Palsy Management Clinical Pathway Brachial plexus palsies occur in about one in 1000 live births. Older literature quotes over 90% rate of recovery, however “recovery” has a broad definition that includes any reanimation of the limb. Recognizing secondary weakness and deformity, the actual recovery rate is closer
Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Clinical Pathway Over the years, the increase in resistance to typical antibiotics has changed the approach to the management of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in children. In 2014, the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) updated their SSTIs guidelines. Based on these changes
Suspected Neurosurgical Shunt Infection Clinical Pathway Ventricular-peritoneal shunt placement is a common neurosurgical procedure. Ventricular-peritoneal shunt infection is a known risk in children with this hardware. Early recognition and treatment is essential to prevent further morbidity, and it also leads to decreased medical
Gastroenterology Research Connecticut Children’s is among the most active pediatric health systems in the country for basic, clinical and translational research. Our nationally recognized gastroenterologists lead and collaborate on over 25 IRB-approved studies, including NIH- and privately-funded
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Medical Mystery: Could It Be POTS? By Irfan Warsy, MD: This article was published in March 2025 and was last updated on June 23, 2025 with a video. Does your child complain about dizziness all the time? What about fatigue, or strange symptoms that don't seem to fit any one diagnosis? If this is the case, you might wonder: could they