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FAQs: The COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 5 to 11 By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: This post was last updated May 18, 2022 Children aged 5 to 11 can get the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine because experts for the CDC unanimously approved its use. Connecticut Children’s infectious disease expert John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH , answers common questions about the

From Your Couch to a 5K: Tips to Get Active and Reduce Childhood Obesity By Melissa Santos, PhD: September marks the beginning of autumn, painting trees in bright reds and oranges with bright blue and sunny skies. That makes it the perfect time for families to break out their walking shoes, because it’s a scientific fact that beautiful scenery can boost feel-good hormones

How to Prepare Kids for the End of Daylight Saving Time This November By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD: Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday of November in most states, including Connecticut. That means on Nov. 7, 2021, clocks “fall back” an hour: Instead of 2 am, it’ll be 1 am. That extra hour can cause problems around bedtime (even if your child already has a great bedtime

18 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained on Road Trips This article was originally published in September 2021 and updated in December 2023. If you’re getting out of town, there’s a good chance it’s in the family car. The trick is keeping your child occupied for all that time on the road. Here are ideas that boost imagination and

7 Ways to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month With Kids From September 15 to October 15, the U.S. celebrates the cultures and contributions of Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latinx. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to teach kids about the histories and traditions behind these cultures, try new traditions, and

Lead Safety: Health, Property & Peace of Mind By Rosa Alvarado: Maintaining a safe, healthy living environment isn’t just about compliance. It’s about responsibility, reputation, and long-term value. For tenants, it’s a basic right. At the center of this is one critical standard: lead safety. This is the focus of the Healthy Homes Program, an

Melatonin Poisoning in Kids: What Parents Should Know By John Brancato, MD: All parents can agree—a good night’s sleep is one of the most amazing feelings—and even more so when our children sleep well. It’s not always easy, though, and sometimes kids need a little help getting into a healthy sleeping routine. Melatonin has become a popular, over-the

Beyond Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD): Kiki’s Story A week after baby Kikiolaoluwa was born, her doctors in Nigeria found a hole in her heart. At first, they told Kiki’s parents – mom Moninuola and dad Oladapo – to wait and see if the hole closed on its own. But several months later, everything was worse. Kiki was losing weight

Bella’s Story: Introducing Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Pediatric Epilepsy By David Hersh, MD: Isabella has always been a joyful kid — bright-eyed, full of curiosity, and completely herself. But since age 10, she has also been living with the fear and danger of a hard-to-treat form of epilepsy, sometimes having more than five seizures a day. A partnership between

Mind the Chatter By Annika Anderson, MPH: What comes to mind for you when you think about Mindfulness ? You might envision a guided meditation practice, a tech-free walk outside, the fragrance of your favorite candle as you end the day with a journal entry, or intentionally relaxing your jaw when you notice it’s tense

Q&A: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Pediatric Epilepsy & Primary Dystonia By David Hersh, MD: If your child’s epilepsy or dystonia isn’t responding to medication or other treatments, what comes next? Connecticut Children’s, in partnership with UConn Health, offers deep brain stimulation (DBS) as an option for pediatric patients — and for many families, a reason for hope

Going Beyond Clinical Care: Improving Housing Conditions and Health Outcomes Fredrik was two months old when he started struggling to keep down food. No matter what parents Marie and Josh Pinheiro tried, “he was spitting up and vomiting at all hours of the day,” says Marie. “Nothing helped.” Two months later, the wheezing and coughing started. At an age

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

Beyond Heart Failure at 2 Months Old: Crew's Journey Following a series of concerning symptoms, a diagnosis of SVT-induced cardiomyopathy became a reality for baby Crew, Mom and Dad. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) happens when the heart beats too quickly. Because of this, the heart doesn’t work as well and can eventually cause

Curly Toes in Kids: 6 Things Parents Should Know By Kristan A. Pierz, MD: Some kids are born with toes flexed down and curled under other toes. This usually occurs in the third, fourth, or fifth toes on both feet. “Curly toes” is an actual condition, and tight tendons pulling the toes downward and inward are to blame. Many parents wonder—how do I know