COVID19, Heart, Kawasaki Disease

COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease: What should parents know?

So far in the COVID-19 pandemic, data from China, Italy and other European countries showed that coronavirus infections were much less common in children than adults. When children did get sick with the virus, they didn’t become as sick. However, in late April, reports of children with hyperinflammatory symptoms emerged in England. Now, New York…

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COVID19, Norton Childrens Medical Group

Questions and answers about pediatrician’s office visits

Phase 1 of Kentucky’s Healthy at Work plan called for the reopening of nonurgent/nonemergency health care services, diagnostic radiology and laboratory services on April 27. The plan also recommends that telehealth appointments should be used whenever possible, rather than in-person visits. Your pediatric health care provider will review your child’s situation to assess whether a…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group

How to help a constipated baby

Constipation in infants is something parents often ask their child’s pediatrician about. Is their child having a bowel movement often enough? What does constipation look like in an infant? Here’s how you can help a constipated baby — and when to seek care. What is constipation? Many believe that constipation is defined by regularity, or…

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COVID19

Now isn’t the time to let vaccinations slip — pediatricians’ offices are open with extra safety

Concerns over COVID-19 are keeping some families from doing wellness visits with their child’s pediatrician. Doctors are concerned this delay could result in children falling behind on potentially lifesaving vaccines or even cause future outbreaks of disease. “We know that these illnesses are preventable, and most of the illnesses will cause more harm to children…

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Cancer, COVID19

Expressive therapy continues for childhood cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic

The expressive arts team, part of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, ​supports childhood cancer patients with music, art and massage therapy as they undergo treatment at Norton Children’s Hospital. The team has modified these normally hands-on, in-person therapy sessions to continue helping immunocompromised patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. While…

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Prevention & Wellness

Kids are home and curious — make sure your guns are safe

Kids are home all the time these days, increasing the risk of accidental shootings. Children are naturally curious, and boredom could increase their chances of stumbling upon something dangerous. “I am concerned given all these factors that we’re going to see more children injured accidentally by guns,” said Kerry S. Caperell, M.D., a pediatric emergency…

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Hydrocephalus, Neurosciences

Western Kentucky girl with hydrocephalus and other brain conditions defies odds

The first time Sadie Heath won a pageant, mom Britney Heath sat with tears in her eyes. The tears weren’t celebrating the win; she cried because Sadie was participating. It was an image Britney never thought she’d see. Sadie was born with hydrocephalus, along with multiple congenital brain malformations. Today, at age 4, she participates…

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COVID19, News

Norton Children’s offers telehealth options for seeking online care

Even though we are all staying safe at home, there may be a time when your child needs nonemergency medical help. Perhaps you need to follow up with your pediatrician or pediatric specialty physician. Maybe you need some medication guidance. We also want to protect our family, medical professionals and at-risk individuals from COVID-19, and…

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COVID19

Phased health care resumption: Questions and answers about office visits

Phase I of Kentucky’s Healthy at Work plan calls for the reopening of nonurgent/nonemergency health care services, diagnostic radiology and laboratory services. The plan also recommends that telehealth appointments should be used whenever possible, rather than in-person visits. Your health care provider will review your personal situation to assess whether a telehealth appointment is right…

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COVID19, Kentucky Poison Control Center

Kentuckians are poisoning themselves as they fight COVID-19

Poisonings related to cleaners and disinfectants are surging as local families work to protect themselves against COVID-19. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poison control centers nationwide received more than 45,000 calls tied to cleaners and disinfectants during the last quarter, about a 20% increase. While the increase affected…

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CICU, Heart, Heart Transplant

Pediatric cardiac surgeon connects with patients as a mom

Deborah J. Kozik, D.O., didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she describes her family as blue-collar and her mother as someone who influenced her to swing for the fences, to aim high without regard to expected gender roles. She became a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes…

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Child Abuse Prevention

The role a father plays in child abuse prevention

A child’s well-being is based on many social factors tied to their parents. According to David Cozart, director of the Lexington Leadership Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative, a critical social factor influencing the health and well-being of children is their fathers. According to David, not only do fathers play a critical role in the healthy development of…

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