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In November 2024, 2-year-old Caleigh woke up not feeling well and with concerning symptoms. Her family noticed red areas under both of her armpits and took her to her pediatrician for assessment. “She was being treated for Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever,” shares her mother, Megan. However, after two days, Caleigh’s condition only worsened, and she stopped eating and drinking. “Caleigh wasn’t getting better,” says Megan. “My husband & I decided to take her into our local ER where she was evaluated.” Upon arrival, the medical team assessed Caleigh and suspected Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS), a rare but serious condition caused by a Staphylococcus toxin. The severity of her symptoms and rapid progression left no room for delay. “Within a few hours, she was on a helicopter being flown to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, in the middle of the night with us following behind in our vehicle,” says Megan. […]

Many teens enjoy how they look with a fresh tan. To keep that glow year-round, some turn to tanning beds believing it’s a safer or easier option than sunbathing. But here’s the truth: research shows that tanning beds are actually more harmful than natural sun exposure. How Tanning Beds Work and Their Risks Tanning beds use florescent lights to emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that darkens the skin. The UV exposure stimulates melanocytes — cells in the skin that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. While it may seem like a simple process, tanning beds expose the skin to high levels of UVA and UVB radiation. While early detection is important, prevention is key. Just 10 minutes in a tanning bed exposes your teen’s skin to concentrated UVA and UVB rays that are often much stronger than natural sunlight — these rays penetrate deep, damaging the DNA in skin cells. […]

12-year-old Mia was enjoying an afternoon at a friend’s birthday party when in a matter of moments, the day took an unexpected turn. When reaching down to pet the friend’s dog, it became startled and bit Mia in the face. The bite tore off most of her left nostril and left a puncture in her cheek. Immediately, Mia was taken to the emergency room where doctors moved quickly to treat her injuries. It became clear that Mia would need reconstructive surgery. Determined to find expert surgeons for Mia’s procedure, her parents turned to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “Living close by we had always heard that the best pediatric care is at Nemours,” shares her mother, Courtney. “We knew for something this serious we needed the best hospital.” At their first appointment with Dr. Mario Aycart and the plastic surgery team at Nemours Children’s, it was explained to Mia’s family that […]

When Blake was just 2 years old, her mom, Kimberly, noticed she was experiencing back pain. “Blake was crying in her car seat and reaching for her back,” Kimberly recalls. Concerned, they decided to seek medical help. An MRI of Blake’s spine revealed a Chiari malformation and two Tarlov cysts, conditions that would significantly impact her life. As Blake continued to grow, simple activities like sitting or standing were sources of pain, making it difficult for her to enjoy the things most children take for granted. At school, she had to use a special chair and cushion to alleviate some of the discomfort. Family life was also affected, as long car trips were out of the question due to the intense pain Blake experienced. Now 13 years old, Blake has been a Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware patient nearly all her life, receiving care from the orthopedics, neurology, and neurosurgery departments. […]

What began as an upset stomach evolved into a journey with Crohn’s Disease for Nemours Children’s patient, Alejandra. “It all started with an upset stomach that continued over time, immediately after eating, at the age of 8,” shares Alejandra. The persistent discomfort became a daily challenge that began to affect her quality of life. “Physical activities also had to be reduced, including physical education (PE), as performance declined considerably. Psychological aspects also erupted, with certain levels of anxiety.” From the moment they walked through the doors of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, Alejandra and her family found themselves in capable hands, guided by a team of dedicated specialists. After the family’s recent move from Miami, they were diligent in their search for the best possible care for Alejandra. Their research led them to Dr. Pablo Palomo and the gastroenterology team at Nemours. The journey to a diagnosis was not straightforward. It […]

Alex, a strong, brave, and smart patient with a passion for swimming, soccer, surfing, and music, has been on a long and challenging journey to find a solution for his sleep apnea. Living with Down syndrome, Alex’s struggle with sleep has been particularly difficult, often leaving him tired and unable to function well at school. Despite trying various treatments, including a surgery in October, Alex and his family were still searching for a breakthrough. That’s when Dr. Santino Cervantes, pediatric otolaryngologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, recommended the Inspire implant—a groundbreaking treatment to help Down syndrome children with refractory severe sleep apnea. Alex, almost 14, became the first patient at the hospital to receive this innovative implant. The Inspire implant is a device designed to assist with sleep apnea. When activated, the implant enhances the user’s breathing during sleep by giving gentle pulses to the airway muscles to keep the […]