Nemours Blog Posts | Expert Tips on Child Health & Wellness

PATIENT STORIES

A Limitless Future: Eduardo’s Story

In the summer of 2024, a small bump on 12-year-old Eduardo’s neck caught the attention of his family. They decided to visit Nemours Children’s, a healthcare institution that had been a trusted part of their family for over a decade. “My kids have been a part of the Nemours family since they were born, and we’re very thankful for all the professionals who have cared for them,” his mother, Vanessa says. Upon their visit, the medical team at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida conducted a thorough examination, including an ultrasound, a CT scan, and a biopsy. Eduardo was diagnosed with a benign tumor in his parotid gland. While the term “benign” offered some relief, the diagnosis itself was a significant concern to the family. “We were very worried and spent a lot of time doing research online, which only scared us more than it relaxed us,” Vanessa admits. Despite the anxiety, […]

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Naloxone (Narcan): A Lifesaving Tool for Families

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a powerful and life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Opioids are a type of medicine often prescribed to manage pain, but they can be dangerous if misused. Millions of families in the United States have lost a loved one due to an overdose, but in the case of opioid overdoses, we have a tool that can help. The American Academy of Pediatrics called on pediatricians to help reduce these tragic losses by educating families about overdose prevention. By learning about naloxone, you can be better prepared to protect your loved ones and save a life. What is Naloxone? Naloxone is a medication designed to quickly reverse the effects of opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, and prescription pain medications like oxycodone. Narcan is simply a brand name for naloxone, which is why you may hear it used interchangeably. It works by blocking the opioids […]

Going Beyond Medical Care: Caleigh’s Story

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. […]

Close up of a calm young man lying in a tanning bed and having protective glasses on his eyes to protect them from UV light

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Skip the Bed, Save Your Skin: A Guide to Safer Sun Choices

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. […]

Pediatric ENT examining the mouth of a baby using a medical spatula in doctor's office to check for lip tie or tongue tie

NEW PARENTS

Understanding Lip and Tongue Ties: A Guide for Parents

As a parent, it’s natural to have concerns about your child’s development, and conditions like lip and tongue ties can be confusing, especially with the images they evoke of a tongue-tied baby. Anywhere from 1% to 11% of newborns have signs of tongue tie, or ankyloglossia (ang-kuh-low-GLOSS-ee-uh), according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Lip and tongue ties aren’t cause for a lot of worry on their own, but they can affect feeding, speech, and oral health, or even be indicators of related conditions. Here are some other common questions about lip and tongue ties, including how to recognize the signs, their potential impact, and what to consider when making treatment decisions. What Are Lip and Tongue Ties? Which Parts of the Mouth Are Affected? How Do I Know If It’s a Lip or Tongue Tie? Identifying lip and tongue ties can be challenging. Tied tongue in newborns is often […]

PATIENT STORIES

Restoring and Rebuilding: Mia’s Story

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 […]

The Path to Wellness: Blake’s Story

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. […]

VACCINES

Protecting Your Baby from RSV: Immunization Options

Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus (or “RSV”) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Is RSV contagious? Yes, it’s considered highly contagious because it spreads similarly to the common cold. For example, RSV can spread when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes near you or your baby. It can also spread when you or your baby touch surfaces contaminated with RSV droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone can get RSV, but most people are infected for the first time as infants or toddlers. Protecting children from RSV involves exploring new immunization options for moms and babies. What Is RSV? RSV is a common and widespread virus. In most regions of the United States, RSV season starts during fall and peaks in the […]

ALL BLOGS

Navigating Life with Crohn’s: Alejandra’s Story

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 […]

ALL BLOGS

A New Chapter in Sleep: Alex’s Story

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 […]

MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE

Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries: Nico’s Story

Nico’s cardiac journey began before he was born. Going into her pregnancy with Nico, Sierra shared her concern about a family history of heart defects with her midwife. This led to a referral to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. At 17 weeks, Dr. Claudia Taboada, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, suspected a complex congenital heart defect during an ultrasound. Later, at 22 weeks, a fetal echo confirmed that Nico had the same defect as his father: Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA). A congenital heart defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, resulting in abnormal blood flow and oxygenation. “Once we found out that Nico had D-TGA, we were told that he would have to have open heart surgery and it would have to be done in Orlando, which is about 6 hours away from home,” shares Sierra. “Preparing for the relocation and his birth/surgery was stressful, but we […]

PATIENT STORIES

In Good Hands: Lucy’s Story

When Michelle learned she was pregnant, she was referred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida for high-risk prenatal care. From the very beginning, she felt supported by her care team. So, when her daughter, Lucy, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 6 weeks old, there was no hesitation about where to turn. Because Lucy was breech throughout the entire pregnancy, her pediatrician took extra precautions after birth to check for hip dysplasia. “Her pediatrician wanted to check if she could possibly have hip dysplasia, and thank god she did because we were able to treat her on time,” shares Michelle. “We were so grateful it was diagnosed so early where we as parents did not notice, and she did not feel affected by it as a newborn.” The family’s relationship with Nemours Children’s came full circle when they decided to bring Lucy in for treatment. “The treatment for myself was so […]