June 6, 2021, marked the end of the long reign of the “Sickle Cell Queen,” LaVera Wilson. So-named by her colleagues, LaVera spent her 44-year nursing career with what is now Norton Children’s, much of the time as a lead apheresis nurse. “The first couple years, I started in general surgery, then moved to cardiology,…
The only accredited program in Kentucky and Indiana, Norton Children’s Heart Institute is recognized for collaborative work to treat adults and children living with lifelong congenital heart disease. In recognition of its expertise in serving individuals with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), a structural heart condition present at birth, Norton Children’s Heart Institute earned accreditation…
Are there foods that help asthma? There are indications that foods laden with vitamin D, such as oily fish like salmon, egg yolks, and fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants may help asthma, but there’s a shortage of solid evidence. Obesity is a major risk factor for asthma, so eating well and maintaining a healthy…
Kids getting flu shots goes beyond keeping the children healthy and helps keep their grandparents healthy, according to Gary S. Marshall, M.D., infectious diseases physician with Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases. Dr. Marshall is also a professor of pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville. “We know that…
There are many benefits to kids participating in sports, from confidence-building and physical health to boosting social skills and problem-solving ability. However, there are risks of sport-dependent injury in growing children. Sport-dependent injury There are patterns to the kinds of injury that vary from sport to sport. Soccer players may have knee and ankle problems….
There is increasing evidence that severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children can have long-term effects such as wheezing and asthma, according to Ronald L. Morton, M.D., pediatric pulmonologist with Norton Children’s Pulmonology. A recent review of research into long-term effects of asthma found wheezing can persist into adulthood and appears to be…
University of Kentucky freshman Said Zakaria certainly seems set up for success. Determined to one day be a dual-certified general and orthopedic surgeon, Said completed 21 hours of prerequisites through a dual-credit program at Butler Traditional High School his senior year so he could start classes in his major, biology, immediately. What makes his achievements…
For most families, having a child who wets the bed is a common part of childhood. But bed-wetting can be frustrating and uncomfortable for you and your child. It’s often difficult to know when bed-wetting becomes an issue that needs treatment from a pediatric urologist. Some common bed-wetting questions and when a child’s accidents could…
Speech delay in toddlers is very common, along with other developmental delays in children such as motor skills, listening, understanding or social development. About 15% to 20% of children nationally are affected by developmental delays. Children can outgrow those delays later in childhood, especially when delays are addressed early. The opportunity to treat developmental delays…
An active 9-year-old couldn’t have asked for a better summer. Alaina Kenney enjoyed playing softball in the perfect, hot summer sun. She loved boating and tubing frequently on Rough River Lake with her family. After one particularly perfect day, Alaina spent the night with her grandparents, who were planning to take her to school the…
As Audrey Sims talks on the phone, her 7-year-old twin boys can be heard enthusiastically enjoying the video game they are playing upstairs. “We picked up video games when the pandemic hit,” Audrey said. “It is something they could do while quarantined and inside. They also like Legos. Luckily, neither of them is ever alone,…
Childhood cancer fact: Childhood cancers make up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year, accounting for about 10,500 children in the United States under the age of 15. Childhood cancer rates have been on the rise for the past few decades. Here are some facts: 10 childhood cancer facts After accidents, cancer is…