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When Yara was born, her family received news that they hadn’t anticipated – she didn’t pass her newborn hearing screening. While she was a happy baby who responded to sounds and hit developmental milestones, follow-up tests eventually confirmed that she had mild hearing loss. “At first, I had so many questions and concerns about her future – how this might affect her education, her ability to grow into adulthood with this diagnosis,” Yara’s mother, Ashley shares. “But as a family, we knew we would navigate this challenge together.” After receiving a referral from their pediatrician, Yara’s family turned to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida for answers. It was when they met Dr. Morgan Wilcox, pediatric audiologist, that they finally felt they fully understood Yara’s diagnosis. “We immediately felt at ease with Dr. Wilcox and her comforting and reassuring approach,” says Ashley. “She explained everything clearly, answered all our questions, and helped […]

At 13 years old, Emma keeps a packed schedule. She’s a multi-sport athlete, playing field hockey and lacrosse and running track. All sports that require endurance, strength, and, of course, strong breathing. But in the summer of 2024, during a track meet, Emma found herself struggling to catch her breath. Emma had experienced breathing issues before and had even been treated for asthma as a child. But this time, things felt different. So, her family turned to a place they knew and trusted: Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “We’ve been going to Nemours Children’s since Emma was little,” says her mom, Melissa. “Even though we don’t live super close, we’ve always been happy with the care we’ve received there. We continue to go back when we need care beyond what our family doctor can provide.” Emma first saw the pulmonology team at Nemours, but after a thorough evaluation, they suggested the […]

For 10-year-old Taylor, every step of her journey has been guided by determination, expert care, and a team that feels more like family. Diagnosed at birth with fibular hemimelia, proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), clubfoot, and leg length discrepancy, she has faced challenges with mobility from an early age. But with the right medical team by her side, Taylor is making incredible strides toward walking on two evenly balanced feet. Taylor’s family had long placed their trust in Dr. Shawn Standard, a highly respected specialist in limb lengthening and reconstruction. So when Dr. Standard moved his practice to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, in fall 2024, Taylor’s family didn’t hesitate to follow. Under the care of Dr. Standard, Taylor has undergone a series of treatments designed to improve her mobility and function, including super ankle surgery, external and internal fixators for limb lengthening, ankle fusion, and the placement of 8 plates. […]

When Zohan was born, his parents were overjoyed to welcome their little boy into the world. But shortly after his birth, doctors noticed differences in his leg length and foot shape. After further testing, they diagnosed Zohan with fibular hemimelia, a condition where the fibula bone in the lower leg is missing or underdeveloped. From an early age, Zohan adapted to his condition, often running and walking on his toes. But as he grew, he faced challenges—difficulty wearing standard shoes, fatigue, and limitations in certain activities with his peers. His parents, determined to find the best care for him, were introduced to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida through their primary care provider. Their own research confirmed Nemours Children’s reputation for advanced limb reconstruction, and they knew they had found the right place. From their first visit, Zohan’s family felt reassured by Dr. Jason Malone, Dr. Shawn Standard, and the entire care […]

What is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? Iron-deficiency anemia is a condition that happens when there isn’t enough iron in the body. An infant or child with anemia has a lower number of red blood cells (RBCs), and RBCs contain hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin), a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without enough iron, less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells are produced, which leads to anemia. Unlike some types of anemia, iron-deficiency anemia (also called “IDA”) can be prevented. It’s also relatively easy to treat with things like iron supplements and dietary changes. Preventing IDA Symptoms and Screenings for IDA As part of routine wellness, you should have your child screened for anemia at the 12-month and 24-month well-child visits. If your child is showing signs of iron-deficiency anemia, ask your pediatrician to screen your child for anemia. Common symptoms a child may exhibit include would be things like: […]

Aiden was tall, strong and active, and his weight was only slightly above expected for his age. His family had no cause for concern until he developed severe, unexplained abdominal pain at the age of 10. After multiple checkups and tests, Aiden was diagnosed with a metabolic liver condition. As part of his treatment, he enrolled at the Healthy Weight and Wellness Clinic at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to supporting and guiding families in helping children improve their health and well-being. Now 13, he is proud of the lifestyle changes he’s made working with the clinic. He’s increased his physical activity and added healthy foods to a balanced diet that still includes some teen favorites. “Now, I’ll snack on a salad, and I never thought I would do that,” he said. Aiden and his mother, Jennifer Downey, spoke at a December symposium titled “Obesity and Diabetes […]