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Easy Breathing: A Tool to Aid in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma in Children By Jessica Hollenbach, PhD: Asthma is a common respiratory condition affecting many children; however, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Easy Breathing, a program started in 1998, is designed to help primary care physicians appropriately and easily diagnose and treat asthma in children. Easy

What to Expect at Your Baby’s First Check-Up By Laura Nowacki, MD: Your baby will see their pediatrician a lot during their first year of life – and that begins with their very first well-baby visit, just a few days after coming home from the hospital. The primary care providers in Connecticut Children’s Care Network lead these kinds of visits

A Sports Comeback Beyond Imagination: Jadon & Brennan’s Story The Archer brothers’ bad luck with meniscus tears began in spring of 2019. That’s when, at a high school basketball tournament in Texas, Jadon Archer suffered the dreaded bucket handle tear — obvious right away, because he couldn’t straighten his leg. He had to limp through the

Deciding to Treat Fetal Renal Failure: Information & Support for Families By Timothy Crombleholme, MD: Until recently, most experts thought fetal renal failure was fatal — period. Expecting parents were simply told they had no options. Today, that’s no longer the case. With special care, it’s possible for a baby with fetal renal failure to survive and eventually thrive. But the

Is it a Sprain or Broken Bone? Here’s How to Tell. By Allison E. Crepeau, MD: This blog was originally published in June 2024 and was last updated in March 2025. Sprains and broken bones can be painful and can look similar from the outside. It is important to know when to seek treatment. Connecticut Children’s sports medicine expert Allison Crepeau, MD

Is Vaping Safe? No. Here’s Why. By Melanie Sue Collins, MD: The FDA recently ordered all Juul e-cigarette products off the shelves, a decision that has been in the works for two years following the rapid rise of underage vaping. Parents are concerned that their kids may look for other products or turn to actual cigarettes—both strong

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

Beyond Celiac Disease: William’s Story By Jeffrey Hyams, MD: William had just gotten home from school when his dad, Matt, sat him down. “Your doctor thinks you might have something called celiac disease,” Matt told him. William, then 14, was skeptical. Didn’t celiac disease have something to do with eating gluten? He ate everything and, as

Pivoting to Address Pandemic Needs of Children and Families By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health is always committed to strengthening families and communities to promote children’s optimal health, development and well-being. However, we find our mission to be of critical importance now more than

Reducing School Absences for Children with Asthma By Jessica Hollenbach, PhD: By: Jessica Hollenbach, PhD Asthma is the most common chronic pediatric disease, which affects nearly six million children in the United States. Children from minority groups who live in low socioeconomic urban areas experience the highest rates of asthma and associated concerns

Sports Training: Answers to Popular Questions By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: This blog was originally published in July 2024 and was last updated in March 2025. Training is always part of the game, whether it's pre-season, mid-season or off-season. Turn to Connecticut Children's Nick Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT, Sports Physical Therapist, to get the scoop on

Pathways to Action: Activities Subcommittee Spotlight By Lauren Dominique: In this second installment of the Pathways to Action Subcommittee Spotlight Series, team members of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health reflect on a visit to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, organized by the Pathways to Action Activities Subcommittee. The

16 Comfort Items to Bring to Your Child’s Doctor Appointment There are a few tried-and-true ways to prepare your child for a doctor’s visit: Talk about it ahead of time. Pretend through play. Practice calming exercises like making a coping toolbox. Best of all? Bring a few comfort items! (Your child will love this step.) Put your child in

8 Skiing & Snowboarding Injury Prevention Tips | Winter Sports Safety for Kids & Teens By Katelyn Colosi, PA-C: This article was originally published in February 2024 and was updated in February 2026. Skiing and snowboarding are exciting winter sports that help kids and teens stay active during the colder months. But without proper preparation, these activities can lead to injuries

Meet the Local Artist Behind North Hartford Ascend’s New Brand Introducing Our New Look The North Hartford Ascend initiative is dedicated to guiding children from infancy to adulthood, ensuring that those residing within the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – receive the