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Mastermind Advisor Spotlight: Paul Dworkin, MD Research shows 90% of children’s health is driven by the complex interplay between social, behavioral, environmental, and genetic/epigenetic factors. Connecticut Children’s Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) incubates and accelerates social innovations that address social

4 Things to Know About Heart Murmurs in Children By Seth Lapuk, MD: Up to three out of four kids will have a heart murmur at some point in childhood, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. To explain more, Connecticut Children’s pediatric cardiologist (and American Heart Association leader!) Seth Lapuk, MD, joins the blog. 1. Most heart

Measles is Highly Contagious: What Parents Should Know By Ian C. Michelow, MD, FCPaed: We’ve all heard of measles, but many of us might not fully understand it. In recent years, cases have surged in areas where vaccination rates have declined. Just this past week, an unvaccinated child died in Texas, marking the first measles-related death in a decade. Pediatric

A Year in Review: A Reflection from Childhood Prosperity Lab on 2024 By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: As we settle into the new year, it's the perfect moment to look back on the milestones we reached last year and shift our focus to the exciting plans we’re putting in motion for the months ahead. As I reflect on 2024, it's clear Connecticut Children’s Childhood Prosperity Lab

Beyond Trigger Thumb: Wide Awake Surgery Gets 2 Thumbs Up By Sonia Chaudhry, MD, FAAOS: You don’t usually think of surgery when you hear the phrase, “wide awake.” Until you’ve met 10-year-old Finley, AKA the next Taylor Swift, author, president, Wimbledon champion, sister, daughter and pet owner who “does it all.” Finley’s journey with Connecticut Children’s started

Fecal Incontinence: Potty Talk for Caregivers By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: This blog post is made possible by collaboration with Connecticut Children’s Foundation . The mind and body are intertwined; take it from a GI psychologist! Connecticut Children’s is fortunate to have its own program for pediatric psychogastroenterology, which includes two

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

Healthy Food, Healthy Kids: The SCOR Initiative Against Food Insecurity By Nancy Trout, MD: "You are what you eat" is a saying that reflects the deep connection between food, nutrition, and health. Unfortunately, the rise of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, is driven by diets that are high in unhealthy

Medical Mystery: Could It Be POTS? By Irfan Warsy, MD: This article was published in March 2025 and was last updated on June 23, 2025 with a video. Does your child complain about dizziness all the time? What about fatigue, or strange symptoms that don't seem to fit any one diagnosis? If this is the case, you might wonder: could they

Partnering for Family Support: Connecticut Newborn Screening Network and Alexion Charitable Foundation By Debra Ellis, NBS, RN: The Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), a program within the Office for Community Child Health , provides crucial support to families of infants who receive out-of-range newborn screening (NBS) results. Our goal is to ensure that every family—regardless of their

Is Your Baby on Track for Motor Milestones? If They’re Under 6 Months Old, Here’s How to Help By Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT: Babies are changing by the day, and every new “motor milestone” is a thrill – like the first time they hold a toy, roll, sit up alone, and crawl. These milestones depend on lots of factors, including some that aren’t under anyone’s control. But there are a few ways to help your

7 Strategies to Help Autistic and Special Needs Kids Prepare for a Doctor's Visit By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: Kids with autism and other special needs can have a tough time getting used to new routines, people and places. Doctor’s visits can be especially challenging, because these visits are rarely frequent enough for kids to remember what to expect. But a little preparation goes a long

Connecticut Children's and Xerox Partner To Introduce New, Innovative, AI-Driven Technologies To Pediatric Healthcare Hartford, Conn. — Connecticut Children’s and Xerox are reimagining pediatric healthcare with the help of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Through an expanded partnership with Xerox, the health system is introducing AI-powered solutions to streamline care delivery and elevate

24 Questions for Your Teen to Ask Their Doctor By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: By the time your child enters their teenage years, they should be getting ready to take charge of their own health. The more confident they feel speaking up at doctor’s visits, the better. It gives their doctor more information to support them through adolescence – and sets your

Minimally Invasive Craniosynostosis Surgery: A Game-Changer for Babies By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Are you worried about your baby’s head shape and what it could mean? Flat spots, or plagiocephaly, tend to improve on their own, but if your doctor suspects craniosynostosis, which may require surgical repair, you naturally have lots of questions. Our pediatric neurosurgery team