Maybe it’s growing pains or the kind of soreness that any active kid is going to experience. But when is joint pain in children something to take seriously? If joint pain, swelling or stiffness lasts for more than a week without starting to improve, you should make an appointment with a provider who is knowledgeable…
According to Safe Sleep Kentucky, the state’s infant mortality rate is almost double the national average. Safe sleep practices can reduce the risk of any infant dying. What do parents need to know about safe baby sleep practices? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants should be placed on their backs for every sleep by…
To jump or not? Trampolines are popular fixtures in backyards, and trampoline parks are popular in cities across the U.S. But how dangerous are trampolines? Pediatric orthopedic surgeons warn about trampoline use and accidents that cause broken arms, wrists, elbows and legs, as well as knee and joint injuries. “We see an increasing number of…
Mothers who experience heavy periods may expect that their daughters will have the same fate. If you’ve had heavy periods and consider it as just “something to deal with,” it may not be the same for your child. Menstruation varies from person to person. What’s considered normal, and what’s considered excessive blood loss for a…
It’s not always easy to practice social distancing with kids. Kids love to explore and play together — so asking them to keep their distance can be tough. But there are ways that parents can teach social distancing — “keeping our hands to ourselves” — that can help families stay healthy together. Norton Children’s wants…
Eli Thompson dreams of becoming a basketball coach. While the sophomore at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, may have his sights set on championship wins on the court, he has achieved an even bigger win in his young life. Eli is a leukemia survivor, beating B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common…
Touching your face may be a habit you don’t realize you have. One study shows that a person can touch their face up to 23 times per hour. Norton Children’s wants every child to be a “Super Kid.” Being a Norton Children’s Super Kid means doing activities that prevent spread of the coronavirus. Super Kids…
Since Louisville native and endocrinologist Kupper A. Wintergerst, M.D., arrived at Norton Children’s Hospital in 2006, he has expanded the endocrinology and diabetes program from a single physician and nurse practitioner to 10 physicians and seven nurse practitioners. The latest recognition of the transformation of Norton Children’s Endocrinology into one of the best diabetes programs…
Coughing and sneezing can spread illness — everything from the common cold to COVID-19. Wearing a mask is just one part of being a Super Kid; covering your cough by coughing into your elbow is another way to keep you and the community healthy. Why cough into your elbow? It’s important to teach kids to…
The hot days of summer can mean getting caught off guard by heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, over 9,000 high school athletes are treated for heat illnesses each year.Many medications and underlying medical conditions, such as…
The heart condition of mitral valve prolapse, also known as floppy valve syndrome, involves two flaps in a heart valve that don’t close smoothly or evenly. The condition, which requires monitoring once diagnosed, affects 2% of the population, and most don’t even know they are living with it. “Mitral valve prolapse, also known as Barlow…
With youth sports returning to action with precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic, pediatricians are conducting yearly sports physicals to make sure kids are healthy and fit to engage in physical activity. A sports exam includes a health history questionnaire and a check of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and respiration. “As…