Here are some health tips to get your family off to a good start this school year. Vaccinations According to Jill S. Howell-Berg, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group – Clarksville, students are required to be up to date on vaccinations. “Vaccines are an important step to the immunity development of any child,” Dr. Howell-Berg…
COVID-19 disrupted the lives of children and families since the pandemic began. Parents may have put routine well visits for their kids on hold because of the coronavirus, and as a result, children have fallen behind on vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public sector vaccine ordering data shows a 14% drop…
Esther E. Knapp, M.D., MBE, of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is a board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologist with specialized training in pediatric bone marrow transplantation. According to Dr. Knapp, taking on challenges was part of the appeal of entering her specialized field. “The truth is, I was impressed by doctors…
During the summer, families may enjoy vacations and allow kids more unstructured time than during the school year. This can cause bedtimes to creep later and later, with children sleeping in later in the day. However, the best sleep schedule for kids to get the best rest possible is to have a consistent plan that…
Hygiene for girls can be a thorny topic for parents. Teaching preteens about good hygiene isn’t easy, but it’s important. Poor hygiene can change the natural balance of the vagina and lead to conditions such as vaginitis or vulvovaginitis. What should kids do to make sure they’re maintaining good care of their vaginal health? Bathroom…
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is considered the best way to diagnose and monitor hypertension in children. Hypertension, also called persistent high blood pressure on repeat checks, is rising among children and teens due to many factors, including obesity and lifestyle changes. High blood pressure as a child may lead to an increased risk of…
Tickets go on sale July 1, 2021, for the 11th annual Norton Children’s Hospital Home & BMW Raffle. The raffle offers a chance to win a new home in Norton Commons valued at approximately $600,000 and a 2022 BMW X3 from BMW of Louisville plus $10,000 cash. All proceeds from the raffle support Norton Children’s…
Remember to follow sun safety guidelines to protect your kids from sunburn. It only takes 15 minutes to get sunburned, but the effects last for much longer. Effects can include discomfort, dehydration and dizziness. More severe effects can include nausea, fever and blistering. Sunburns also can lead to skin cancer. Start creating healthy habits with…
There are three basic ways to treat scoliosis in kids, depending on whether they are still growing and the severity of the curve. When viewed from the side, the spine needs to have some curve to it, in both the upper and lower back. But with idiopathic scoliosis — scoliosis with no known cause —…
Histoplasmosis is one of the most common types of pulmonary mycosis, an endemic fungal infection that affects the lungs. The condition also is called “Ohio River Valley fever” due to its prevalence in the area, including Kentucky. What is histoplasmosis –– and what should parents know? What causes histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is caused by breathing in…
While most virus news continues to be about the one that causes COVID-19, there are several other viruses affecting local children. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Cases of the infection, which is the most common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia in…
Breast milk can be like a medicine for babies. While breast milk is preferred for most babies, it may not naturally contain all of the macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates and protein) needed by premature babies, those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Human milk analysis and targeted fortification, a type of “lactoengineering,” is a technology that…