Surrounded by nurses and staff, Alaina Kenney proudly rang the “end of treatment bell” at Norton Children’s Hospital. The celebration in early August marked the end of the 13-year-old’s chemotherapy treatments, nearly four years after being diagnosed neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found most often in kids and infants. One day in September 2019, as…
Electronic cigarette use puts young people at risk of bronchitis, shortness of breath and other significant respiratory symptoms after just 30 days, according to a new study from the Center for Tobacco Research. The study found these teens were twice as likely to have bronchitis and 78% more likely to have shortness of breath. A…
Every child deserves to grow up happy and healthy, and to lead a successful life. Yet, 1 in 5 kids ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. could be diagnosed with a mental, emotional, behavioral or development disorder, according to the American Psychological Association. Many more are at risk of developing a disorder due to…
Arguing with your child isn’t something that excites most parents, but that’s not the case for David Williams. David’s 7-year-old son, Oaks, is on the autism spectrum and nonverbal. Thanks to Norton Children’s Autism Center, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, Oaks now has a specialized electronic tablet that has given him a voice…
Caring for your child’s cast requires extra steps and patience. If your child has broken a bone, you’re already familiar with the stress of the initial injury and getting them the help they need. Cast care during the weeks it takes to heal an injury can be time consuming and require extra caution, on top…
Through two brain surgeries, months of chemotherapy and a lot of hospital visits over the last three years, “Incredible Abel” had one goal — to be well enough to try football. “I don’t think he’s ever had the opportunity to be a typical kid, but now he has the chance,” said Ashely Durham, Abel Durham’s…
Autism screening is one of the many important reasons to bring your child to the pediatrician every year for their annual well-child checkup, even when your child is not due for any immunizations. The way your child speaks, plays, learns and acts could help a pediatrician determine any potential signs of autism. Autism is a…
A common item for newborns is gaining national attention for being linked to dozens of infant deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recommended the first federal requirements for nursing pillows, while also discouraging caregivers from setting babies down on the U-shaped pillows to sleep. Those changes would include requirements for nursing pillows to…
It’s hard for Annashae Wyatt to remember life before her diagnosis. While most kids her age were starting to explore the world, Annashae’s took an unexpected turn. At just 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Type 1 neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in nerve tissue. At the time of her…
When Mary Vaughn thinks back to when she realized her son needed help, one moment stands out. When he was young, she took James to jump on bounce houses with friends. It was busy and loud. He quickly became overwhelmed and upset, but he couldn’t form words to explain why. “I knew the words were…
Nearly every child has been a picky eater at some point. Sometimes kids are still developing their palates and are slow to embrace new tastes and textures. Other times, refusing food can be a way to assert their independence. But at what point is a child just a picky eater, and when is it a…
Is your child ready to start kindergarten? Kindergarten readiness can serve as an important foundation for the rest of your child’s educational career — but it’s about more than academics. School readiness involves all aspects of your child’s development before they start school, including their social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral and motor skills. These form the…