Nemours Blog Posts | Expert Tips on Child Health & Wellness

ALL BLOGS

Associate Highlight: Annaleza Jones, ATC

As the new full-time Athletic Trainer for Lakeland High School, Annaleza Jones, ATC, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for sports. The summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school, Annaleza seized an opportunity that would solidify her career path. “I went to a week-long Sports Medicine camp at Ball State University and fell in love with athletic training,” she shares. “I went back to my high school athletic trainer and started helping him in between sports seasons.” She found a sense of fulfillment in helping others, “Being able to stay involved with sports and help others is the best and I have no clue what else I would do if I wasn’t an athletic trainer.” After high school, Annaleza attended Manchester University in Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2012. she continued her education at California University of Pennsylvania, […]

Teenage students are standing in the school hallway, all looking at news and social media on their phones.

CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS

Having Tough Conversations With Your Kids About the News

There is so much information constantly flowing into families’ lives about the state of the world, with daily news headlines that have the potential to create distress. Children hear about what’s going on in the world through social media, friends, or adult conversations. But news headlines aren’t always about news; they’re often about what will get the most attention, ranging from uplifting stories to scary events. It’s important that you leave the door open to have conversations with your child about trending news and social media — and other things they may hear about the news. Starting a Discussion About a Current Event It’s often best to start with finding out what your child already knows. You can ask your kids questions to see if they know about a current event. For school-age kids and teens, you can also ask what they have heard at school or on social media. Try […]

PATIENT STORIES

Zyanali’s Story

Born with microtia, a condition where the outer ear is smaller and sometimes misshapen, Zyanali’s right ear was visibly different from birth. “While it is mild, it was visibly obvious that it was not normal,” her mother shares. Microtia is a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth, and it can vary in severity. In Zyanali’s case, the condition was more about the appearance of her ear rather than a significant hearing impairment. However, the visual difference was noticeable enough to draw attention and curiosity from others. As Zyanali grew, the social impact of her condition became more apparent. “She would often come home from school and tell me that kids were asking about her ear,” says her mother. These questions, while innocent, could be distressing for a young child. “We faced similar inquiries in public, people wanting to know what had happened to her ear or whether she […]

PATIENT STORIES

The Future of Spine Surgery: Sam’s Story

13-year-old Sam has been a patient at Nemours Children’s Health for much of his life. Born with a rare, unbalanced translocation, a chromosomal condition that affects many parts of the body, he lives with global developmental delays and several chronic health concerns. Throughout his life, Sam and his family have worked closely with a wide range of Nemours Children’s specialists. “We have been seeing Nemours specialists since Sam was itty bitty,” shares his mother, Audrey. “Over the years, he has been under the care of orthopedics, audiology, cardiology, pulmonology, surgical services, the gastrointestinal department, nutritionists, and neurology. We have seen quite a lot of the hospital and a lot of the doctors over the years.” Among the many medical challenges Sam faced was scoliosis, a condition in which the vertebrae form a curved line instead of being straight. “Sam was born with a group of congenital birth defects including some […]

PATIENT STORIES

An Unexpected Diagnosis: Angelina’s Story

16-year-old Angelina started experiencing severe stomach pains and spasms, symptoms that arrived suddenly and without warning. As her discomfort grew, so did her family’s concern. Looking for help, Angelina’s mom, Aimee, turned to the expertise of Dr. Gina Amoroso, a close family friend and a trusted pediatrician at Nemours Children’s Health. Dr. Amoroso referred them to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware where they headed straight for the emergency room. From the moment Angelina and her family stepped into Nemours Children’s, they knew they were in capable hands. Aimee recalls, “They were very concerned and diligent in helping to find the cause for her pain. They empathized and worked hard to find the root of the problem.” After a series of tests and examinations, the team discovered Angelina had OHVIRA syndrome, a rare condition characterized by an abnormal uterus and the absence of a second kidney. This rare congenital condition often doesn’t […]

ALL BLOGS

Seandelle’s Strength

When 10-month-old Seandelle first arrived at Nemours Children’s Health, his future was uncertain. He had survived severe injuries, but from the beginning, his new mother saw something different, “He had a drive in him. I just knew I couldn’t walk away.” Over the next several years, Nemours Children’s specialists across neurology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, and surgery worked closely together to support him. His mother says, “Every doctor treated him like he was their own. They stopped, listened, and went above and beyond.” By age 3, Seandelle began experiencing clusters of seizures, sometimes lasting up to 30 minutes. After many tests and hospital stays, his care team recommended a major procedure to disconnect one side of his brain. It was a terrifying decision. “It was the hardest choice of my life,” his mother shared. “I was scared.” Neurologist Dr. Lily Tran, MD, his Pediatric Epileptologist, recommended that they proceed with epilepsy surgery […]

ALL BLOGS

Finding Hope Twice: Branson and Charlotte’s Story

For the Ayscue family, their journey began with fear and uncertainty. “I had a typical pregnancy with Branson,” their mom explained. “But when he was born, he was very lethargic and not able to take much from a bottle.” At just 3 days old, Branson was transferred from their local hospital to a children’s hospital, where he was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperglycinemia, or NKH. The family was told not to expect him to survive infancy. Months later, on the way to the emergency room once again, they decided to try Wolfson Children’s Hospital with its long-standing collaboration with Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, Florida instead. “That day completely changed our lives,” she said. The neurologist on call, Dr Rappoport, had just seen another patient with NKH. “We could not believe a doctor so close to home had followed a kid with the same diagnosis as ours. We knew then we […]

ALL BLOGS

More Than A Comeback: Mercy’s Story

Sometimes it’s the unexpected turns that lead us to the discovery of strength. For 15-year-old Mercy, a student at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, her world was turned upside down during a routine volleyball practice. A simple jump over a track hurdle during conditioning ended in a devastating ACL and meniscus tear, stripping away her identity as an athlete and leaving her with more questions than answers. With a family history of positive experiences at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, Mercy’s mom knew exactly where to turn. Her older brothers had received exceptional care at the hospital, and she had no doubt that Mercy would receive the same level of expertise and compassion. The hospital’s reputation for excellence in pediatric care, combined with its role as the Official Sports Medicine Providers for The Bolles School, made it the ideal choice for Mercy’s care. Upon arriving at Nemours Children’s, Mercy and […]

ALL BLOGS

Life Without Pain: Sis’s Story

For Sis, the first inklings of back pain began in 6th grade, during her dance classes. “I had constant pain in my lower back and my legs,” she recalls. “It was like a dull ache that never went away, and it only got worse when I was dancing.” She continued to compete, pushing through the pain with determination. However, the pain wasn’t just limited to her dance studio. It began to affect every aspect of her life. “I had to stand in some classes in school because sitting for long periods made the pain unbearable,” Sis explains. “I also had trouble sleeping at night because of the pain. I was still dancing competitively, and that was a struggle because of the pain. I also babysit a lot, and it was sometimes a struggle to handle young kids when my back was really hurting.” As 7th grade approached, the pain intensified, […]

pregnant women holding stomach with either morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum

PREGNANCY

Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis: Guidance for Expecting Moms

Pregnancy nausea is a common symptom and it’s usually called morning sickness. But when is it something more serious? An “hg pregnancy” refers to hyperemesis gravidarum, a pregnancy complication characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. This condition is more intense than typical morning sickness. The difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum (often just called “hyperemesis”) mainly comes down to severity and impact, but it can have an impact — on both mother and baby. It’s rare, but your doctor can help. What is morning sickness? Morning sickness is extremely common in that it affects up to 70–80% of pregnancies. It usually starts at around 4–6 weeks and eases by about 12–14 weeks. The symptoms are mild to moderate nausea, sometimes with occasional vomiting. It may be uncomfortable, but most people can still eat, drink, and maintain hydration. Most expectant parents treat it at home with diet adjustments (small […]

Associate Highlight: Daniel Biggers, OTC

With over 13 years of dedicated service, Orthopedic Clinical Supervisor, Dan Biggers has not only honed his skills but has also become a cherished part of the Nemours Children’s family. His journey began in the U.S. Navy, where a chance encounter with an orthopedic clinic sparked a lifelong passion. While serving, Dan found himself escorting a sailor from his ship to an orthopedic clinic due to a fractured leg. As he watched the ortho techs at work, Dan was captivated by their expertise and the intricate processes they employed. Their combination of precision, skill, and the ability to help others in a tangible way resonated deeply with him. Today, Dan’s role at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida is multifaceted, blending the art of medicine with personal connection. “Since my start over 13 years ago, I have been impressed by the genuine personalities and overall kindness of the staff at Nemours,” he […]

Little boy with food allergies is admiring cakes and other sweets on the showcase in cafe or supermarket.

SAFETY & PREVENTION

Life with Food Allergies: How to Adapt as Your Child Grows

You’ve just taken your 6-month-old baby to the pediatrician, and they recommended you start to introduce common allergenic (something that has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction) foods like dairy, eggs, and peanuts. But what if your baby has a reaction? What does life look like with food allergies? Food Allergies in Babies and Toddlers My brother was diagnosed with an egg allergy when he was about a year old after taking a bite of my dad’s breakfast sandwich. This triggered a series of testing that eventually led him to be diagnosed with allergies to peanuts and cottonseed oil as well. Sometimes kids will grow out of their food allergies, but others will have them for life. At the time of a new diagnosis, it is really hard to predict whether or not your child will grow out of the allergy. The priority at this time is keeping them […]