The Most Common Birth Defect: CHD Awareness Week
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
1M ago
Congenital heart defect awareness week is February 7-14. In that week (and every week), 705 babies will be born in the United States with a congenital heart defect (CHD). A CHD is a heart problem that’s present at birth. It happens to 1 out of every 100 newborns. That’s about 40,000 babies every year, just in the United States. CHD is the most common birth defect. Almost all of us know someone affected by CHD. But not everyone knows the facts.    This awareness week, let’s start with information. What Everyone Should Know About CHD Here are the 5 facts that everyone should know about ..read more
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Since Ferrari, What Have We Learned About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
3M ago
In the 1950s, between financial struggles and catastrophic car accidents, Enzo Ferrari lost his oldest child, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the new biopic on Enzo Ferrari’s life — Ferrari — it’s clear his son’s death changed everything for Enzo. Unfortunately, decades later, children with DMD continue to share Dino’s tragic outcome. Despite our best research efforts, we haven’t cured DMD. There have been promising treatments. Nothing has been successful yet. But recent key advancements in technology give us hope. New tools mean we’re better able to understand ..read more
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Applesauce Recall: What Parents Need to Know About Lead Poisoning
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
4M ago
Lead contamination in applesauce pouches has led to a national recall and 22 poisoned toddlers. Only 3 brands are recalled. But the cases span 14 states, causing widespread concern. What should you know about lead poisoning? And are your kids at risk? Which Applesauce Pouches Are Part of the Recall? The recall only affects 3 brands of applesauce pouches: Wanabana Schnucks Weis And within these 3, only the cinnamon flavored pouches are part of the recall. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advises that you throw out any of these apple cinnamon pouches you may have at home. The amou ..read more
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When An Early Start Puts You Behind: Finding New Milestones for Preemies at UVA Health Children’s
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
5M ago
Take a supplement the size of a horse pill? Sure. Give up alcohol and (almost all) caffeine? Let’s do it. Stop eating sandwich meats and sushi? Done. When you’re pregnant, you make sacrifices to give your kid the best start. But sometimes, you take all the safeguards and still come up short. In my case, roughly 14 weeks short. I didn’t give my baby, born at 26 weeks, the start I wanted. Instead of those first few blissful weeks of staying at home and getting to know each other, we navigated the UVA Health Children’s NICU. It was a week before I could hold her, and even then, only for a li ..read more
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6 Ways One Local Family Learned to Navigate Childhood Cancer
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
6M ago
There are parenting moments no one prepares you for. And administering your child’s chemotherapy? Isn’t something most people ever feel ready for. But that’s just one of the ways that Benny and his family rose to the challenges posed by his lymphoma treatment. No family has a plan ready for dealing with childhood cancer. But when the stakes are high, you don’t exactly want to go with the flow. What’s incredible are the ways families adapt. In January 2022, doctors at UVA Health Children’s diagnosed Benny, then 11, with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. As Covid restrictions eased and kids returne ..read more
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How to Make a Scoliosis Brace More Comfortable
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
10M ago
Everyone’s spine curves some. But with scoliosis, the curve is too great or in the wrong direction (forming either an S or C). For some kids with scoliosis, the best option is to wait and watch. But if the curve starts to get worse, bracing or surgery may become necessary. Severe scoliosis can cause pain. The spine can also crowd the heart and lungs, causing more serious issues. For severe scoliosis, surgery is often the only option. Most surgical options work by connecting portions of the spine. While this is effective, it limits range of motion. For moderate scoliosis, bracing is a great alt ..read more
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Skin Cancer From Sun? 2 Scary Facts About Sunburn Every Parent Needs to Know
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Kelly Casey
1y ago
We all love the sun. But every parent needs to know about the sun’s dark side too. Sunburns aren’t just painful. Sunburns early in life can lead to skin cancer, including dangerous melanoma. “Unfortunately, it’s sun exposure that we had as children that puts us at the highest risk for melanoma as an adult,” says surgical oncologist Lynn Dengel, MD. She’s part of the melanoma treatment program at UVA Health. Sunburns Double the Risk of Melanoma Here are 2 scary facts about skin cancer from sun: 5 or more sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing potentially deadly melanoma. Even ..read more
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What New Parents Need To Know About the Snoo’s FDA Approval
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
1y ago
Since it came out, the Snoo bassinet has been a conversation starter. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Snoo as a medical device. Needless to say, the Snoo is once again a topic of debate. The Snoo Smart Sleeper claims that it can give parents more sleep while keeping babies safe. And even though the price tag is eye-watering, many parents swear by it. The Snoo FDA classification as a medical device is the first of its kind. But is it really the safest sleep device on the market? Here’s what that classification means for you, and how to decide what’s right for y ..read more
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When Should You See an ENT for Your Child?
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Meghan Drummond
1y ago
Three common reasons parents take their children to the doctor are: ear infections, recurring nosebleeds, and sore throats. They’re also some of the most common conditions for ear, nose, and throat doctors, or ENTs, to treat. Pediatricians are well-versed in handling a sore throat. But when these issues become recurring, it might be time to see an ENT (also known as a otolaryngologist). As a parent, you’re probably used to calling your child’s pediatrician for sore throats and ear infections. Your pediatrician has enough training and experience to help with these. But there are also ear, nose ..read more
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What If Stores Are Out of Children’s Medicine? FAQs About Kids & Flu, RSV, & COVID
Healthy Balance Blog » Kids
by Megan Davis
1y ago
Flu, RSV, and COVID are circulating in higher numbers this year. And to add insult to injury, there’s a shortage of over-the-counter children’s medicine in stores. What should you do if your kid gets sick? We called on UVA Children’s pediatrician Sarah Boggs, MD, to answer parents’ frequently asked questions. My Child Has a Fever. What If I Can’t Find Children’s Medicine? Fever-reducing children’s medicine helps your child feel better, but don’t stress if you can’t find any. Fevers are rarely dangerous. Kids and babies often tolerate fevers well, even up to 105° F. Can I Give My Child Adult Me ..read more
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