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A Visit to the Pediatric Neurosurgeon: What to Expect By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: If your child has been referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon, you may be feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect. That is totally normal. The idea of seeing a “ brain and spine doctor” can feel scary. But this visit doesn’t always mean your child will need surgery. It
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How to Support Your Child Through Challenging Behaviors (From Birth to Pre-Teen) By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: This guide from Connecticut Children’s Amy Signore, pediatric psychologist, and Sasha Conley, PsyD student, breaks down easy, effective ways to help your child grow, listen, and feel loved—whether they’re a baby or a pre-teen.
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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 Article
What Are the New COVID-19 Variants, and Do They Infect Kids More Easily? By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: In addition to all the news about the COVID-19 vaccine , you’ve probably been hearing a lot about new variants of COVID-19 . Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan Salazar, MD, MPH, shares what we know so far. What does it mean when there’s a new “variant” of COVID-19? A Article
First in the World: Haresh’s Story Haresh Surti may be young at heart, but at 62 years old, he is no kid. So at first, it might seem unusual that he receives heart care at Connecticut Children’s – known far and wide as the state’s only health system 100% dedicated to children. The truth is, lots of adults receive
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First Pediatric ENT Visit? Here’s What to Expect By Rachelle Wareham, MD: A pediatric ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) cares for children with problems related to the ears, nose, throat, upper airway passages, head, and neck. These specialists focus on ENT care 100% dedicated to kids—from babies to teens. Pediatricians refer kids to an ENT for many
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Grow Unique: Youssef’s Story There is no one else quite like Youssef Shahine. Sure, when he’s blasting music on his headphones or glued to a video game, he’s a typical 14-year-old. But ask him a question about life, and he’s wise beyond his years. “I like to look at the good stuff,” says Youssef. “Yes, there
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A New Normal: Lauren’s Story One day last October, 15-year-old Lauren Riley was climbing the stairs to class at her West Hartford high school and felt it again: out of breath, dizzy and like she might faint. This was the third time in recent weeks she’d nearly fainted from a flight of stairs. Soon after, she
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Aortic Valve Stenosis Aortic valve stenosis (also known simply as aortic stenosis) is a condition that affects the aortic valve, a part of the heart that plays an important role in how blood is pumped to the body. The aortic valve connects the heart’s lower left chamber to the body’s largest artery Article
Beyond Hemophilia: Adonis’s Story By Amanda Zuse, APRN-BC: When Adonis, age 7, rolls into the clinic at Connecticut Children’s Hemostasis & Thrombosis Program, something special happens. Every face lights up. Word spreads among the care team. An unofficial receiving line starts to form. “People come out of the woodwork just to say hello
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Advocating for Safer Teen Driving in Connecticut By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: The recent teen driver tragedy in Glastonbury, CT, has left the community mourning. As a parent, it is impossible not to feel the weight of such a loss. Moments like these are devastating and a powerful reminder of why the work I do, advocating for policies that protect young
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The Best Way to Prevent Youth Suicide? Talk About It By Steven C. Rogers, MD, MS: This article was originally published in September 2020 and last updated in December 2023. Youth suicide has been on the rise for the past decade, so prevention is more important than ever. Dr. Steven Rogers, medical director of Emergency Behavioral Health services at Connecticut
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The Power of Practice Change By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: How many of us have participated in a training only to forget what we learned shortly thereafter? It’s not just you—we all have a mountain of knowledge collecting dust somewhere in our brains. Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) leverages the science of adult learning theory to
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Arrhythmia (Abnormal or Irregular Heart Beat) An arrhythmia is a problem with the heart’s electrical system that affects how the heart beats. It can cause the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or in an irregular pattern. While many arrhythmias are harmless, some can lead to symptoms or long-term