The ketogenic diet (keto diet) is among the latest Hollywood health fads. Beyond the trendy hype, the ketogenic diet has made a world of difference in the lives of children with epilepsy. Research has shown that the keto diet, which has been around for decades, can reduce the frequency of a child’s seizures, especially…
Choking first aid such as the Heimlich maneuver for toddlers and back slaps for infants can prevent tragedy. Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness cautions parents to always watch for choking hazards, but especially this time of year, as children tend to eat more candy and visit homes for holiday parties. Children, especially toddlers, like to…
It’s difficult to know when to start toilet training. You may have many potty training questions and the truth is, there is no right, definitive age to start. The timing is unique to each child; you may notice the child displaying behaviors that let you know it’s time. Starting before a child is ready may…
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects up to 11% of American children, and Kentucky has the highest rate in the country — more than 18% — according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. Despite the prevalence of ADHD, it is one of the most misunderstood chronic neurodevelopmental disorders. By debunking the myths and…
From working in a genetics lab to teaching yoga, Melissa Lee Perrotta, M.D., has found a way to blend all of her passions into one career. Her drive to understand and solve complex problems and her interest in integrative healing has led her to caring for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). She has…
Limiting screen time can be hard for parents. It can be alarming how challenging it is to set and stick to limits on how much time children spend looking a screen. Parents may be concerned about how screen time will affect their children when they are old enough to begin texting, following social media and…
For many kids, Halloween is a big sugar rush. But for children with diabetes, the holiday can be very challenging for the entire family. Fortunately, kids with diabetes still can enjoy the holiday. It just requires a different approach. Parents should plan ahead to work candy into their child’s diabetes meal plan or ensure they…
As many as 40% of childhood surgeries are performed in adult hospitals by surgeons who haven’t trained in the intricacies of caring for growing bodies, according to a 2013 study. The study published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, concluded common procedures such as appendectomy were just as likely to…
When planning a pregnancy and birth, parents may not imagine that their child will need a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, there are many reasons a child may need to be admitted to the NICU. When a child is born, a team of caregivers checks that a baby’s vital signs such…
Nearly 8,000 calls came into the Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital in 2018 as a result of concerns about children under 5 ingesting medication. Calls involve kids getting access to medication they should not have or receiving the wrong dose or wrong medication. The high number of calls puts medications on the…
In Eli Alexander’s 23 months of life, he has overcome a congenital heart defect with the help of a heart transplant. His family has taken to comparing his strength and bravery to an elephant’s. It only made sense that he should help unveil the name of the Louisville Zoo’s baby elephant. In a naming contest…
Nicole Pendino has a courageous son. In fact, his nickname is “Courageous Clay.” Many members of his hometown community in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have rallied around him over the past 12 years. In 2017 when Clay’s heart condition worsened and he was added to the heart transplant list, he was literally fighting for his life…