Girls in the U.S. get their first period (menstruation) around age 12. As a parent, you may wonder: When should my daughter see a gynecologist for the first time? At what age should a girl have a Pap smear? My daughter isn’t menstruating or sexually active … why should she see a gynecologist? Here is…
Doctors have a new way to detect heart and other conditions in Western Kentucky babies even before they’re born. Norton Children’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine, on the campus of Med Center Health, Bowling Green, Kentucky, recently installed state-of-the-art diagnostic and ultrasound equipment. The equipment is designed to identify complex anomalies in unborn babies through early detection so…
Natalie Jacobs, MSN, R.N., NPD-BC had worked a full shift as a nurse manager at Norton Children’s Hospital on Jan. 28, 2019. When she got home, she realized she was spotting. Pregnant at 25 weeks, Natalie thought she might be losing the baby. She drove herself to Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, where she knew…
When Ashley Eastman, R.N., has an appointment to monitor her adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), she simply leaves her desk, walks to the front desk, checks in, and waits to be called. As a nurse clinician for Norton Children’s Heart Institute she understands the journey of a child with congenital heart disease. Diagnosed with a…
Young athletes coming off a long layoff too quickly can put themselves at risk for injury. There are steps kids can take to lessen their chances of injury as they return to previous activity levels. Jennifer M. Brey, M.D., pediatric orthopedist with Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville (COOL) offers these tips to keep your child…
Youth baseball puts a lot of stress on young arms, which can result in shoulder or elbow injuries sometimes called “little league shoulder” or elbow. “These kids are throwing harder sometimes than their elbow can take,” said Joshua W. Meier, M.D., pediatric orthopedic surgeon with Norton Children’s Orthopedics of Louisville. Elbow and shoulder injuries also…
When Molly Knott was 2, the toddler took a spill in the kitchen and her mother reflexively scooped her up, grasping her under her arms. That’s when she first noticed a lump under Molly’s left armpit. Molly said it hurt. A bug bite probably, right? As it got a little bigger, it still wasn’t clear…
Jalen Matthews is embarking on a new journey in life. A University of Kentucky graduate, she is living on her own for the first time in a new city. She is pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science at the University of Indianapolis, with a focus on a career in physical therapy. She’s also now…
A child with a fever can be scary in normal times. These days, it’s especially so. Here are some steps to take when it happens, and how to know when a fever is too high for a child. Is it really a fever? First, make sure it’s really a fever. As with adults, a child’s…
Temperatures have dropped, and it’s officially cold and flu season. Here are some tips for staying well as you nurse your little one back to health. It’s not too late to get a flu shot Getting yearly flu shots for the whole family can help protect yourself and others from the flu. While the vaccine…
LGBTQ kids face a higher risk of discrimination, bullying, harassment and family rejection. For many, these burdens affect their health. “LGBTQ individuals often encounter more obstacles compared with their peers,” said Suzanne E. Kingery, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist with Norton Children’s Endocrinology. “These things lead to poor health outcomes through increased risk of anxiety, depression and…
Children with various neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be at risk for hip dislocation. What is varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO), and how does it help children with neurological disorders? Children with neurological disorders can have spastic or weak muscles. Spasticity in muscles…