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Beyond Brain Surgery: Josh's Story By Jonathan Martin, MD: When Josh Hollm was 6 years old, an eye doctor dilated his eyes, took one look, and sent him to Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department. The diagnosis: a brain tumor, noncancerous. It was putting dangerous pressure on his brain. Josh’s parents, Ruth and Bob, had known
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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
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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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Mastermind Advisor Spotlight: Scott Orsey 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 the social
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Keeping Young Drivers Safe: The Fight Against Distracted Driving By Anna Stern, MPH: April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to reflect on how we can all make safer choices behind the wheel. The Injury Prevention Center (IPC), a program of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health , is committed to promoting road
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Keep Kids Safe in Cars All Summer Long By Amy Watkins, MPH: It might feel like a mild day outside, just 75 degrees, but the inside of a parked car can heat up quickly. In as little as 30 minutes, the temperature can reach 109°F, creating a dangerous oven-like environment for a child. No child can withstand this kind of heat. Most hot car
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Back-to-School Mental Health Tips for Parents, Teachers & School Staff By Amy Adolfo Signore, PhD, MPH: As the school year kicks off across Connecticut, families and educators alike are facing more than supply lists and bus schedules. Today’s students are managing emotions, navigating social pressures, and adjusting to academic demands — all while recovering from the disruptions of
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Beyond Extreme Prematurity: Mikayla’s Story By Nicole Murray, MD: Delivered barely halfway through a typical pregnancy — at just 25 weeks and 6 days — she weighed less than a pound. Her lungs were severely underdeveloped. At the hospital where she was born, the doctors weren’t sure she’d survive the night. But Mikayla had other plans. Today
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E-Bike Injuries Are Rising Fast—Here’s What Parents Need to Know By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: Over the past few years, electric bikes (e-bikes) have exploded in popularity among kids and teens. But with that rise has come a sharp increase in serious injuries—and it’s putting children in the hospital at an alarming rate. In fact, in just May and June of this year
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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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Mouth Breathing in Kids: When to Worry and What You Can Do By Amy Hughes, MD: If you've seen your child sleeping with their mouth open night after night, or even breathing through their mouth during the day, you might be wondering: Is this normal? Should I be worried? Occasional mouth breathing is common in children, especially during a cold or allergy
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Pediatric Celiac Disease: A Parent’s Guide to Food and Nutrition By Beth Chatfield, MS, RD: Learning your child has celiac disease can feel overwhelming at first. We think about how food choices, social situations and proper nutrition will come into play. But with the right tools, knowledge, and support, families can manage and enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle. Here’s a
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Celebrating 60 Years of Medicaid: 60 Reasons It Still Matters By Christian Petersen: For six decades, Medicaid has served as a critical lifeline for millions of children and families, offering access to essential health services, protecting vulnerable populations, and strengthening communities across the nation. To honor this milestone, we’ve compiled 60 reasons
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Beyond Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome: One Year Later By Timothy Crombleholme, MD: It’s a typical morning at home with 1-year-old identical twins. Ben, who is older by a few seconds, is pulling silly faces and giggling. Renny is crying and clinging to mom Kaelyn — who is doing her best to prepare snacks with one arm, since Renny is occupying the other. “It’s