Fractures and Injuries, Orthopedics

How to know if a child’s bone is broken and what to do

As a parent, you can look for several signs of a kid’s broken arm or broken leg. The different types of fractures can have many of the same signs or symptoms, including: Bruising: Your child may have a bruise or bruises near the break. Your child may say that it feels tender, or that it…

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Cerebral Palsy, Orthopedics, Patient stories - Norton Healthcare, Pulmonology, Scoliosis, Spine, Spine Surgery

Surgeons use 3D model to prepare more precisely for teen’s complex scoliosis treatment

Gracie Latkovski is sitting up straighter and breathing easier after undergoing state-of-the-art spine surgery. Her surgeons were able to be precise in her complex surgery by preparing with the help of a 3D printed replica of the 14-year-old’s spine. “Health-wise, it has helped her tremendously,” said Christin Latkovski, Gracie’s mother. “We are totally excited about…

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Norton Community Medical Associates, Suicide

New study shows parents may be unaware of a child’s suicidal thoughts

Suicide, including child suicide, is a public health issue. Suicide rates have been rising in nearly every U.S. state, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2016, suicide became the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34, according to the CDC. The CDC also reports 17.2 percent of…

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New Mom, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Suicide

‘Momo Challenge’ serves as reminder to monitor what kids watch online

Another online challenge is causing concern for local parents. The “Momo Challenge” is a game illustrated by a disturbing character. Momo supposedly pops up in YouTube and social media videos and encourages self-harm and even suicide. The entire thing could be a hoax – there are still conflicting reports – but a pediatric psychologist says…

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Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Dental health is an important part of your child’s overall health

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month. The month focuses on raising awareness about the importance of oral health. To celebrate, here are some facts that can help families keep their teeth healthy.

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Prevention & Wellness

4 myths and truths about talking to your child about sex

These days children often are exposed to adult language, images and behaviors before they are developmentally prepared to handle them. As children see and hear these at a younger age, parents need to start thinking about talking to their children about sexuality earlier than previous generations. Nikki Boyd, coordinator of health and wellness for Norton…

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Atrial Septal Defect, Cardiomyopathy, Heart, Ventricular Assist Device

Genetic rarity: All 3 Byler children inherit the same cardiomyopathy heart defect

Elizabeth and Andrew Byler were devastated when their first child, Emily, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. A few years later, they were shocked to discover their second child, Ethan, also had a heart defect and would require a transplant. But sometimes there are three sides to every story. In February 2017 their third…

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Employee stories - Norton Childrens, Heart, Tele-Echocardiogram

Families of children with heart conditions get help and guidance finding their way through a new world

If your child has been diagnosed with a heart condition, this is no time to be on your own learning about the condition, worrying about the finances of treatment, coordinating appointments with specialists — the list goes on. Patients and their families at Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the University of Louisville, are assigned…

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Developmental-behavioral Pediatrics and Genetics, Employee stories - Norton Healthcare, Infectious Disease, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Scared of vaccines? Maybe you should be scared of measles instead

In January 2019, 79 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The states that have reported cases to CDC are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In a given year, the CDC says, more measles cases can occur…

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Heart, Norton Childrens Hospital

Valentine’s Day means celebrating hearts

Norton Children’s wants to celebrate the more than 5,000 kids we treat for heart conditions every year. Our staff delivered hats and hugs to heart patients in the “Just for Kids” Pediatric Critical Care Unit. They also received certificates of courage. Special thanks to the Ladies of the Craft Cottage at the Russell Springs Christian…

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Electrocardiogram, Heart, Irregular Heartbeats/Palpitations

What is an EKG?

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a painless test used to record the heart’s electrical activity and possibly reveal issues with the heart’s rhythm, such as an arrhythmia or other signs of underlying heart trouble. The EKG test involves placing small electrode patches on the skin. Wires from the electrodes run to the EKG machine….

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Cancer, Childrens Hospital Foundation, Norton Childrens Hospital, Patient Stories, Teens

New program takes music therapy to the next level [Video]

From the studio to the stage, cancer patients at Norton Children’s Hospital are more like musicians-in-the-making. “The battle that they have done, and they are so resilient,” said Joseph M. Flynn, D.O., MPH, FACP, physician-in-chief, Norton Cancer Institute. Each child has a story to tell and is finding a voice through music. “The music gives…

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