The ketogenic diet (keto diet) is among the latest Hollywood health fads. Beyond the trendy hype, the ketogenic diet has made a world of difference in the lives of children with epilepsy. Research has shown that the keto diet, which has been around for decades, can reduce the frequency of a child’s seizures, especially…
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 4.1 million newborns in the U. S. undergo newborn screening for congenital disorders each year. Of these, 4,000 infants are diagnosed with a condition. September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month –– did you know about this public health service in every U.S. state? Newborn screening identifies conditions that…
Every child can have a day where he or she is grumpy and can’t pay attention after not getting enough sleep. The child might be forgetful and have poor impulse control, too. These can be symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) –– but did you know they also could be signs of a sleep disorder…
A neonatologist is a specially-trained pediatrician who cares for preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. Premature births, also called preterm births, happen when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy….
The Rev. Rick Forest, chaplain and bereavement care coordinator at Norton Children’s Hospital, and Bryan D. Carter, Ph.D., clinical pediatric psychologist at Norton Children’s Hospital and University of Louisville Physicians offer thoughts on how to talk to kids about mass shootings. For younger children especially, find out what they already know. That way you know where they’re…
Overuse of antibiotics is a worldwide problem, reducing the drug’s effectiveness and making serious bacterial infections resistant to treatment. For its efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing, Norton Children’s Hospital has been named an Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence. The Infectious Diseases Society of America awards the distinction to hospitals that effectively prescribe antibiotics and combat…
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the passing of Max Gilpin, a local high school football player who suffered a heat stroke during a team practice. The community remembers Max’s legacy through the annual Norton Children’s Hospital Splash ‘n’ Dash Walk/Run, which was started in his honor five years ago. Splash ‘n’ Dash raises…
It’s finally summer. With the warm temperatures here to stay, many families are heading to swimming pools. Before you jump in, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a warning: Pools can carry many waterborne diseases, including cryptosporidiosis, an illness caused by ingesting cryptosporidium, a fecal parasite. In fact, the CDC reports that during…
There are a lot of different roles that make up a child’s care team when he or she is in a children’s hospital. A child can see nurses, nurse practitioners and any number of physician specialists. You may know what a cardiologist, surgeon or orthopedic surgeon does — but do you know what a pediatric…
It’s fun to play with fireworks — until it’s not. Emergency departments across the country see an increase in burns and hand injuries around the July Fourth holiday. Charity S. Burke, M.D., hand surgeon with Norton Louisville Arm & Hand, has treated such fireworks injuries. Norton Louisville Arm & Hand The skilled surgeons with Norton…
Many elementary, middle and high school students start new sports seasons when they return to school in August. For most, an annual exam, known as a “sports physical,” must be completed before participating in sports. Although back-to-school is a busy time for families, seeing a specialist in children’s health can ensure your child is ready…
The Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital has been working to reduce illness and death from poisoning in Kentucky for 65 years. The center provides 24/7 free and confidential access to specially trained nurses, pharmacists and physicians. The nurses are nationally certified specialists in poison information, and the physicians are board certified in…