Complex trauma occurs when children are exposed to multiple, severe and pervasive traumatic events or experiences. Complex trauma includes profound abuse, neglect or ongoing exposure to violence, typically involving a primary caregiver. Traumatic experiences often overwhelm a child’s ability to cope. Children exposed to complex trauma can react in a number of ways, including lack…
Tessa Nielsen, 21, was in so much pain from her menstrual periods and cramps, she couldn’t do much at all. “I would lie in bed, curled up in ball with a heating pad,” she said. For months, her menstrual periods and cramps caused a stabbing pain she describes as being like a knife twisting around….
The 5-year-old who arrived at the Norton Children’s Hospital emergency department in December was far different than the happy, healthy girl her parents had come to know. A month earlier, it started with emotional outbursts. One day she repeated the word “puppy” over and over and then laughed hysterically. The next, she seemed afraid of…
For the past 25 years, Gregory N. Barnes, M.D., PhD. has worked with thousands of families to help diagnose, adapt to and overcome autism. Autism is personal to Dr. Barnes, whose son, Joshua, was diagnosed with the condition as a young child. It was clear to Dr. Barnes, a pediatric neurologist with the Norton Children’s…
When Hannah R. Fischer, M.D., neonatologist with Norton Children’s Neonatology was doing her pediatric residency, it was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she found her calling. Despite the long and difficult days, she couldn’t wait to get up in the morning and see her tiny patients and their families. “I thought that…
The Jackson family discovered the first surprise of their second pregnancy at their scheduled 14-week appointment: They were having twin boys. A few days before Christmas 2017, the family went for the 20-week anatomy scan, which showed the first sign that there might be a heart issue with “baby B,” their son, Walker. Already reeling…
Warm temperatures in Louisville and Southern Indiana bring severe weather and a jump in allergens like pollen. For some, that may mean a risk of “thunderstorm asthma.” Thunderstorm asthma occurs when strong winds and rain break pollen into tiny fragments that can slip past the body’s natural filters such as nasal hair and mucus and…
You’re not alone if you’ve wondered “When should I take my child to the hospital?” after your child has experienced an illness or injury. Having that kind of doubt is OK; no parent likes to see their child ill or hurt. It’s important for new and even veteran parents to know when to call 911,…
The day before Thanksgiving 2018, the Howell family was traveling from Louisville to Frankfort to visit relatives. During the drive, 4-week-old Brooks started crying. It was the beginning of the family’s journey with the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress, Type 1 (SMARD1). “It was a very different cry,” said Jessica Howell, Brooks’…
Sickle cell crisis prevention is important for families of children with sickle cell disease. A sickle cell crisis can come on suddenly, causing great pain for hours up to several days, as the sickled red blood cells block blood flow. Here are some sickle cell crisis prevention tips to help families. Why does sickle cell…
Rolando M. Puno, M.D., spine specialist with the Norton Children’s Spina Bifida Clinic and Norton Leatherman Spine, likes solving difficult challenges. Patients from around the world have come to Dr. Puno for surgery and treatment of their complex spinal conditions. “It’s kind of my nature, I guess,” Dr. Puno said. “If I see an issue,…
Exercise after recovering from COVID-19, even in kids who had mild symptoms or no symptoms, can be risky, especially since the coronavirus can strike at the heart muscle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids, including adolescents, who tested positive for the coronavirus in the past six months see their pediatrician before resuming physical activity….