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Understanding Celiac Disease: Facts vs. Fiction By Sarita Singhal, MD: Many of us are familiar with the phrase “gluten-free” and choose to follow a gluten-free diet for health reasons or based on what we see on social media. But did you know that not everyone who chooses to go gluten-free has celiac disease? At Connecticut Children’s, our pediatric
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Need Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids This Winter? Try Two Takes on Dip By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: This article was originally published in 2020. Updated in January 2025. No matter what you’ve got planned to entertain your kids all winter long, you’ll want to keep them fueled up with nutritious snacks. Bonus points for recipes that make it easy to get kids involved in the Article
3 Steps to a Safe School Year for Children with Asthma By Jessica Hollenbach, PhD: As summer winds down and we look forward to a new school year, it's crucial to take steps to ensure your child with asthma is prepared for the return to school. One important task to complete in August is to update your child's Asthma Treatment Plan. Why the Asthma Treatment Plan
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4 Questions with David Hersh, MD By David Hersh, MD: As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month , which honors the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other
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Healthy Housing: Moving the Needle from Intervention to Prevention By: Marcus Smith, MBA and Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH This is the third in a series of four blog posts that we plan to publish during Healthy Homes Month that explores how organizations can leverage housing innovations as a platform to help children to flourish, thrive, and succeed
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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
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We Fulfill our Commitment to Equity by Beginning the Crucial Conversation By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD It is time for communities across the country to begin the crucial conversation – a dialogue about what it truly will take to bring about equity for all populations in health care and in society as a whole. We must eliminate racial disparities that date back
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How to Talk to Kids About Scary or Tragic Events in the News By Robert D. Keder, MD: In the wake of the mass shooting on August 27, 2025 at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN, children will likely have many questions. In addition to seeing disturbing footage on the news and on social media, they are also likely picking up on the stress and sadness
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Beyond a Heart Transplant: Taylor's Story By Dennis Mello, MD: Every December, a familiar email arrives in the inbox of Taylor’s heart surgeon. It’s from “Aunt Ellen,” featuring the latest Christmas photo of Taylor and her cousins. Through the years, these photos have captured Taylor’s transformation from thoughtful child to determined teen
Prepare for Surgery Connecticut Children’s provides an array of pediatric surgical services, from routine procedures to complex surgeries. Our board certified pediatric surgeons have advanced training, and the patient and family surgical experience at the Connecticut Children’s is specially designed
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Swimmer’s Ear: 7 Things to Know and How to Treat It By Christopher Grindle, MD: This article was originally published in May 2022 and was updated for accuracy in May 2025. Ah, summer—the time when our active kids jump right in the water for lots of swimming. Then, ouch. Or, double ouch. Sometime later, the ear pain sets in, maybe with some other unpleasant
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Fevers in Children: When to Worry and When to Stay Calm By Saima N. Jafri, DO: This article was originally published in 2022 and last updated in October 2025 for relevance. Do we need to be worried when our kids spike a low- or high-grade fever? Dr. Saima Jafri, pediatrician with Connecticut Children’s Care Network, lays out the facts on fever in kids. What
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6 Questions with Chinyere Okoronkwo, Pediatrician As part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion journey, Connecticut Children’s celebrates Black History Month , which honors the culture and contributions of Black Americans in the United States. As part of our organization’s recognition of this month and other culture months, we
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Mask Up! Tips to Make Kids More Comfortable With Masks, Broken Down by Age By Kathryn Robbins: Masks are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus . But even if your child knows they’re supposed to wear a mask out in public, it can take some practice – and positive reinforcement – to get them in the habit. Child Life specialist Kathryn Robbins, MS, CCLS
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GROW Thoughtful: Danny’s Story One day, when Danny Sullivan was 8 years old, he began to feel very tired. Everyone thought it was allergies, maybe, or a growth spurt. He’d always been a healthy kid, with nothing more than the occasional cold. But this time, it got worse. Suddenly, he could barely stand up. His