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3 Mealtime Habits to Start With Your Family Today By Haley Duscha, RDN, CDN: March is National Nutrition Month, and Connecticut Children’s pediatric dietitians are bringing your family the advice you need to eat well! Scroll to the bottom for more healthy eating resources. Here, we share three mealtime habits that are key to good nutrition.

Is There a Best Way for Young Athletes to Warm Up for Sports? A good warm-up prior to exercise is one of the best ways for young athletes to prevent sports injury and perform at their best, when done properly. Plus, if a child learns how to properly stretch and warm up for sports at a young age, there is a greater chance that they’ll carry

When Should Your Child See a Pediatric Sports Medicine or Physical Therapy Specialist? By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: For young athletes to get the full physical, social and emotional benefits of their sport, they need support – at minimum, from their coach, teammates and family. But sometimes, kids could also benefit from a pediatric sports medicine expert, from doctors to physical therapists

How to Prepare Your Child for Surgery By Sarah Malvezzi: At Connecticut Children’s, we have a lot of practice caring for kids in a way that’s comfortable, empowering and even fun for them. If they have a surgery or procedure scheduled, you can count on us to keep them safe and sound every step of the way. You’ll probably want to

The 10 Most Common Sports Injuries in Kids and Young Athletes If your child is an athlete, they’re probably excited to resume the sports activities they love this fall. But returning to play after time off comes with the risk of injury. It’s important to catch injuries early, before they turn serious. What should you and your young athlete

The 6 Rules of Sports Injury Prevention for Kids, Teens and Young Athletes By Imran Hafeez, MD: The longer an athlete is inactive, the longer it takes for them to come back to full activity after a break. Connecticut Children's pediatric and adolescent sports medicine experts have been hearing one question a lot: How can athletes prevent injury? Here are 6 tips from our

Beyond Hydronephrosis: Gjovana’s Story In 2019, a very pregnant Kristina Gisonde studied two dots on her latest ultrasound. The dots represented her baby’s kidneys, and they were different sizes – not a good sign. Her doctor recommended that, soon after birth, they see a specialist at Connecticut Children's. Kristina

Overuse Injuries and Kids: A Sports Physical Therapist Answers Your Questions By Nicholas Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT: This article was last updated in March 2025. Overuse injuries can occur at all ages. But because kids are still growing, they’re at a greater risk for these types of injuries, and may need a pediatric expert to ensure they heal properly. Nick Giampetruzzi, PT, MPT, Connecticut

Grow Competitive: Jordan’s Story For eight years, every time Jordan DeMatteo stepped onto the soccer field or basketball court, she didn’t just brace herself for competition. She braced for pain. At any moment, her right kneecap could shift out of alignment, an issue she’d dealt with since age 8. It was

Beyond Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Melina's Story When Melina, at age 10, felt a shooting pain in her leg and suddenly couldn’t put weight on it, her family assumed it would mean physical therapy at worst. They never imagined it would mean emergency surgery so she could play sports, dance, or possibly just walk normally again

What’s the Risk? Which Activities Are Safe When Kids Aren’t Vaccinated Yet By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: In previous editions of What’s the Risk?, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts have covered everything from playgrounds to farmers markets throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But things just got more complicated for families whose adults and adolescents are vaccinated but

Personal Best: Alexandra’s Story Alexandra was the first baby born in Danbury Hospital, an event celebrated in the local newspaper. As she grew, there was more cause for celebration: She became a formidable athlete. Swimming was her love, but when she got to Danbury High School, they didn’t have a swim program

Happy 25th Anniversary, Connecticut Children’s! By Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE: Today, Connecticut Children’s celebrates 25 years! That’s 25 years of partnering with your family and community to help kids grow healthy. To mark the occasion, Connecticut Children’s President and CEO Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, joins the Growing Healthy blog with a special

Meet Dr. Enos: “We Offer Hope” Connecticut Children’s Heart Center is with patients for life, starting from before they’re even born and continuing into adulthood. We’re also right around the corner, with six convenient locations throughout the state, and a team made up of leaders in pediatric heart care. That

Should Parents Be Worried About the Recent Increase in COVID-19 Cases in Kids? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: The American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported a significant increase in COVID-19 infections in children across the country. The overall infection rate among kids is still relatively low. But we know that this news has raised questions – and concerns – for families