Savannah Garner is a trouper. That is the biggest takeaway from the people closest to her. The fifth-grade girl from Louisville has been living with a medical condition for most of her life. Savannah was diagnosed at age 2 1/2, and for eight years, she has undergone treatment at Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Children’s…
Expressive art therapy can help patients with eating disorders make sense of their condition, as well as give providers a glimpse into where their patients are along their paths to recovery. Sculpting “creatures” can help patients separate themselves from the harm caused by their eating disorders, and it can help unburden them of any guilt,…
Cancer patients at Norton Children’s now have a furry companion to help them through treatment. Thanks to a gift from Aiden’s Legacy and with support from raiseRED, Luna is the newest employee of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute. The 2-year-old black Labrador works in the cancer unit in Norton Children’s Hospital and at the Novak Center…
House Bill 470, which seeks to limit gender-affirming care for any Kentuckian under 18, was recently introduced in the Kentucky House. The bill would revoke the license of any provider confirmed to have given gender-affirming care to a minor. Below is the statement Norton Children’s shared with lawmakers at a house judiciary committee hearing on…
What to do if your child’s heart is beating abnormally fast or irregularly A child whose heart is beating fast or irregularly often won’t have the vocabulary to describe what’s happening. While an adult may be able to say “I am having palpitations”, children may describe vague chest symptoms, a fluttering or racing heart or…
Although it can be unsettling if your child feels dizzy or faints (also called syncope), it is usually not due to a serious underlying heart condition. “Although feeling really dizzy or fainting certainly can be uncomfortable, usually it can be treated with some self-awareness, behavioral changes and attention to nutrition and hydration,” said Christopher L….
After trying to get pregnant for five years, Kaitlyn Goff of Nelson County, Kentucky, couldn’t have been more excited to welcome her baby boy into the world. At that point, she knew something was wrong, and doctors confirmed her baby had a heart defect. “It was heartbreaking,” she said. “We finally got pregnant,” Kaitlyn said….
Kira Scrogham loves running track and cross-country, and a spinal fusion surgery to correct her scoliosis hasn’t slowed down this 16-year-old. Kira has always loved being involved in sports, but in sixth grade, a scoliosis screening put into question her future as an athlete. “She did a sports physical, and they found a curve,” said…
At 18 weeks pregnant, Brittany Walden learned she was going to be a “heart mom.” Her baby’s growing heart showed some abnormalities. After months of Brittany meeting with specialists and more scans, Emery Walden was born in October 2020 with a heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) with pulmonary stenosis. HLHS is a…
Supporting a child during leukemia treatment can feel overwhelming, but there are several things to help make the recovery at home easier and more comfortable. Making a few changes to the home can help a child be more comfortable during or after treatment: Lower the child’s bed or use a step stool. Put items or…
Most people hear about thyroid disorders among adults, but did you know children can have thyroid issues as well? The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It affects many of the body’s functions and organs and can impact growth, metabolism and sexual development. “Thyroid dysfunction is diagnosed when…
Hypopituitarism is when the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain, is underactive. Most frequently, it does not produce enough of the hormones needed for growth and development. This condition also can impact other functions of the endocrine system, including a child’s blood sugar and blood pressure. “Hypopituitarism can cause poor growth as well…