Condition
Myelomeningocele Spina bifida is a neurologic malformation in which an area of the fetal spine doesn’t develop and close properly early in pregnancy, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed. Because of the opening in the spine, the spinal cord and nerves of the spinal cord Article
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
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Back-to-School, Backed by Community By Madhura Sawant-Suryawanshi: It’s back-to-school season! The start of a new school year is an exciting transition filled with new opportunities and growth. It's also a time for families to step into new routines. When caregivers help kids feel prepared for school , we tend to see improved attendance
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Honoring Jewish American Heritage Month With Kids Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to teach children about the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. At Connecticut Children’s, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month and other culture months as part of our journey to
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Mental Health Crisis: We Must Address Root Causes While mental health providers, policymakers and parents scramble to handle the escalating mental health crisis in children and youth, we must address the root causes through long-overdue systems-level changes in order to make an impact. That’s the message Paul H. Dworkin, MD
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Feeding an Autistic Child: Your Top 4 Feeding Questions Answered By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: Having an autistic child can bring many unique joys and challenges to your family. Sometimes children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop difficulties with feeding. Being able to feed your child is a top priority for all parents, so when feeding becomes challenging, a
Penicillin Allergy Delabeling Pathway Background and Objectives Inappropriate penicillin allergy labels are very common. Carrying a penicillin allergy label can result in use of overly broad spectrum antibiotics which is associated with a variety of negative outcomes. New national practice parameters
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Empowering Students to Embrace Healthy Relationships By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: By: Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA Most people are surprised to learn that one in three adolescents experiences physical, emotional or sexual abuse. This compelling data prompted us a few years ago to partner with The Allstate Foundation to develop and implement a program designed
Who’s Who on Care Team Attending Doctors Attending Doctors are in charge of your child’s care while he or she is in the hospital. These doctors have the most experience. They teach and supervise residents and medical students, and oversee the healthcare team. Doctors who perform surgery are also called
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OCCH Recognizes Media and Technology as Key Factors Shaping Child Development By Annika Anderson, MPH: At Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health (OCCH), we know that improving child health and well-being requires a comprehensive approach. The newly updated "flower diagram," which now includes Media & Technology, seamlessly represents this evolving reality. By
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Is Your Child Struggling With Germ Phobia During COVID-19? 11 Ways to Help By Melissa Santos, PhD: We’re all concerned about getting sick right now. But if your child has an intense fear of germs, and trouble functioning at school or at home because of it, they may be dealing with some degree of germ phobia (aka “germaphobia”). During this coronavirus pandemic when we’re all Article
Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Combating Teen Dating Violence By Susie DiVietro, PhD: The Scope of the Problem February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and raise awareness of this pervasive public health crisis and work to break the cycles of violence in our communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines
Connecticut Newborn Screening Network: Pre-Diagnosis Resources Congratulations on the birth of your baby. The Connecticut Newborn Screening Network understands that learning your child’s newborn screen flagged for more testing can feel scary and overwhelming. Other families have told us they wish they had access to some more information on
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Honoring the Legacy of a Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. Day provides a time for all of us to reflect on the life and legacy of the renowned civil rights leader while also focusing on opportunities that still exist to bring about health equity as well as racial and social justice. At Connecticut Children’s, we
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Connecticut Children's President & CEO James E. Shmerling Announces Retirement After Decade of Leadership Hartford, Conn. – After a decade of transformative leadership, James E. Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Connecticut Children’s, has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2025. His tenure has been marked by extraordinary growth, innovation, and an unwavering