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Grow Inspiring: Natalia’s Story The staff at the hospital where Natalia Rodriguez Sabala was born hadn’t seen a patient like her in seven years. She was born with cloacal exstrophy, also known as OEIS syndrome: Her bladder and portions of her large intestine were on the outside of her belly, and her bladder was

How Can Young Baseball and Softball Players Avoid Common Injuries? By Dylan Roman, PT, DPT: Play ball! Baseball and softball season is about to start, and we’re excited to cheer on players. Whether your child is an elite athlete or a Little Leaguer, we want to keep them injury-free. Connecticut Children’s sports physical therapist Dylan Roman, PT, DPT, shares how to

Pediatric Celiac Disease: A Parent’s Guide to Food and Nutrition By Beth Chatfield, MS, RD: Learning your child has celiac disease can feel overwhelming at first. We think about how food choices, social situations and proper nutrition will come into play. But with the right tools, knowledge, and support, families can manage and enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle. Here’s a

Honoring Black History Month with Children At Connecticut Children’s, we proudly honor Black History Month with our team members, patients and their families. We do so by displaying signage in our hospital, providing educational resources to team members, sharing team member profiles and much more. As a children’s

Through the Storm: Keilany’s Story When Tropical Storm Isaias hit Connecticut this past August, it toppled trees and knocked out power across the state. It also hit the campground where Keilany Palma and her parents, siblings and grandmother were celebrating her 12 th birthday. Keilany’s actual birthday had been

Giving a Teen the Freedom to Laugh: Our Life-Changing Partnership with Kids In Crisis By James Healy, MD, MHS, Pediatric Surgeon: We’d like to thank our valued partners at Kids in Crisis for this story. Published with permission. For most teenagers, laughter is spontaneous and free. But for one 17-year-old who came to Connecticut Children’s, every laugh meant choosing between joy and pain – until we

7 Ways to Reduce Screen Time By Robert D. Keder, MD: Have you wondered if your child is spending too much time in front of screens? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend the following: No screen time at all for kids under 2 except for video chatting One hour of screen time a day for kids 2

When Resources Are Connected, Families Feel the Difference Last week, North Hartford Ascend hosted its Summer Programs Fair, “Plan Your Summer, Secure Your Spot!” Families from across North Hartford gathered to explore local summer programs, ask questions, and begin applications before spots fill up. The event focused on summer planning

Help Me Grow Model: 25 Years of Service to Families By Paul Dworkin, MD: The Help Me Grow (HMG) Model is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2022 – having spent the past 25 years helping children and families in Connecticut and across the country thrive. The HMG Model is an early childhood system building model that partners with families to

Melatonin Poisoning in Kids: What Parents Should Know By John Brancato, MD: All parents can agree—a good night’s sleep is one of the most amazing feelings—and even more so when our children sleep well. It’s not always easy, though, and sometimes kids need a little help getting into a healthy sleeping routine. Melatonin has become a popular, over-the

Getting to Know Genetic Counselors: What They Do and What to Expect in a Session By Ginger Nichols, MS, LCGC: Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health is home to the Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), which responds to flagged newborn screening results in the state. The Network is staffed by board-certified physicians, genetic counselors, nurses, and a

Mind the Chatter By Annika Anderson, MPH: What comes to mind for you when you think about Mindfulness ? You might envision a guided meditation practice, a tech-free walk outside, the fragrance of your favorite candle as you end the day with a journal entry, or intentionally relaxing your jaw when you notice it’s tense

From Snowballs to Ski Slopes: Preventing Winter Injuries in Children By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: If you are like me, then you appreciate all four seasons. Of them, winter is my favorite. Through our work in the Injury Prevention Center , an initiative of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health , I see how winter can be a time for incredible fun — snow forts

Healthy Food, Healthy Kids: The SCOR Initiative Against Food Insecurity By Nancy Trout, MD: "You are what you eat" is a saying that reflects the deep connection between food, nutrition, and health. Unfortunately, the rise of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, is driven by diets that are high in unhealthy

Recommended by Pediatricians! Connecticut Children’s Top 25 Books for Infants to Young Adults As the state’s only pediatric health system 100% dedicated to kids, Connecticut Children’s understands just how important reading is – and the positive impact it can have on a child’s physical and mental health. With our 25th Anniversary and the summer season upon us, we’re