Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a condition that makes it hard to use your muscles. It’s most common in babies and children and includes symptoms like muscle weakness, limited mobility and breathing problems. SMA does not affect a child’s intelligence, however, allowing them to make friends and socialize with others.  As with other lifelong conditions, SMA requires regular care. Gratefully, you don’t have to do this alone. Pediatric home health services are available for treating SMA and can significantly improve quality of life for you and your child.  What is SMA? How Do Children ..read more

With more people vaccinated and CDC restrictions loosening, travel and entertainment are on the list for many families with medically-complex children. Even if you don’t plan on taking a long-distance trip this summer, you can still spend time outdoors and enjoy more normalcy since the pandemic started. When you’re the parent of a medically complex child, getting out of the house can feel stressful. But with some planning and creativity, there are ways for your family to do fun things together, whether it’s taking a nature walk, visiting the aquarium, or going on a camping trip. Below are ten ..read more

A private duty nurse can be a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) that provides personalized care to an individual and their family on a shift basis, not on a visit basis. If you are considering this career for yourself, you’ll appreciate the freedom to work independently, free from the limitations of a large hospital or care facility. Many people in this profession consider themselves their own boss. Now, if you like the idea of being a private duty nurse but prefer to work with children, there’s a job for you! You can be a pediatric private duty nurse (PDN). You’ll prov ..read more

When you’re the parent of a medically fragile child, it’s important for you to have as many resources as possible. This journey can feel lonely and isolating at times, but you are certainly not alone. Believe it or not, there are over six million special needs children in American public schools, making up 13 percent of the school population. Assuming the average family has two children, that means roughly 13 million parents have special needs children. To help and support this demographic, there are a number of support resources available. Some groups are intended for emotional support while ..read more

Trisomy 18, which is also known as Edwards Syndrome, is a rare complex disorder that may be identified in utero. This potentially fatal disorder happens when there is an error in chromosomes’ cell division, which disrupts the development pattern. Trisomy 18 identifies within the body as three copies of chromosome 18 which in causes organs to develop abnormally. Research indicates that Trisomy 18 is found in 1 out of 2500 pregnancies in the US and 1 out of 6000 live births. How is Trisomy 18 Detected? Trisomy 18 can be detected in utero by taking cells from the amniotic fluid or placenta, and t ..read more

When you learn that your child has a disability or chronic illness, it’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions. Many parents require time to grieve as they adjust to their new life. Coping with this change and uncertainty can take a toll on a family and their ability to provide each other with support. This is made even harder when families don’t have anyone they can relate to. While having a child with special needs is not an easy journey, it is not something that you have to endure alone. There are a number of support services and resources available, including respite care. Respite ..read more

As a pediatric nurse, you have many career options and work environments to choose from, depending on your skills, training and interests. After all, it’s no secret that there’s a shortage of nurses and your skills are in high demand. For many LPNs or RNs, joining an in-home pediatric nursing agency like Continuum Pediatric Nursing offers many benefits, such as scheduling flexibility, competitive pay, and, of course, working with children and grateful families. Not surprisingly, there are many different nursing agencies to choose from, all of whom are worthy of consideration, and each offers u ..read more

Numerous states and territories have mandated or encouraged citizens to wear masks in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Masks are an important tool in protecting people of all ages from infectious diseases. However, not everyone has an easy time wearing a mask. For instance, medically complex children aren’t always able to keep a mask on, especially for long periods of time.  Let’s take a look at who should and shouldn’t be wearing a mask, what types of masks to use and how to handle unique situations like hearing aids and trachs. What is the Purpose of Wearing a Mask?  Becau ..read more

Pediatric nursing is a rewarding career, but it’s also a stressful one. No matter what type of nurse you are, you can expect long hours on your feet, time constraints to get work done and the emotional toll of watching patients endure illness and death.  With so many challenges on the job, stress and burnout affect 10-70 percent of nurses. This is why it’s incredibly important to learn how to deal with stress so that you can be the strong, supportive and successful healthcare worker you plan to be. Whether you are a new pediatric nurse or are currently going to school to be one, here are ..read more

Winter Safety for Medically Complex Children. It’s hard being cooped up all winter long, especially when you have a full household of children looking to get some fresh air! The good news is that your family can play safely outdoors in the winter by following a few simple tips. This is especially important if you have a medically-complex child. They, too, need fresh air and a change of scenery. Spending time outdoors can also strengthen bonds with siblings. Your child can watch their siblings build snow forts or participate in making snow angels. Just a few minutes outside can refresh everyone ..read more