At 13 years old, Vincent found himself facing a painful and unexpected health challenge. What began as a nagging low back pain quickly escalated when he noticed blood in his urine. Alarmed, his family took him to urgent care, where the initial tests confirmed the presence of blood but also revealed a more serious issue: a kidney stone. The urgent care team, recognizing the severity, referred them to the Nemours Children’s Health, Lakeland and then to the hospital in Orlando for further evaluation. “I was nervous about the wait time, but their staff worked to fit us in quickly,” says Vincent’s mom, Jessica. “From the beginning, they were responsive and attentive.” The pain Vincent was experiencing disrupted every aspect of his daily life. “He couldn’t rest, enjoy his normal activities, or even feel comfortable sitting or lying down,” Jessica explains. “It was also very stressful for me as a parent […]

Peter, a child with Down syndrome adopted from Hong Kong at the age of 3, has faced numerous health challenges throughout his life. His journey, including multiple surgeries and comprehensive care, is a testament to the importance of dedicated medical support. Peter’s health issues were first identified when his parents noticed he wasn’t thriving. After consulting several specialists, a podiatrist with training at Nemours Children’s referred them to Nemours Children’s Health. After several tests, Peter received a critical diagnosis: his C1-C2 vertebrae were not fused, posing a significant risk to his spinal cord. In September 2017, Peter underwent a lifesaving C1-C2 fusion surgery performed by Dr. William Mackenzie and Dr. Jeffrey Campbell at Nemours. Following the surgery, Peter showed remarkable improvements in various areas, including potty training, communication, and education. However, his journey was far from over as Peter was still experiencing complications with his foot. Further examinations with Dr. […]

During an annual scoliosis screening at Sayuri’s middle school, one of the nurses noticed something unusual about her back. “I remember the nurse checking my back and pointing out that I twisted more to one side, and there was asymmetry with one side rising higher than the other,” Sayuri shares. “She told me that the case is most likely mild or moderate, as the condition was common and those of a higher severity were rare. I was sent home with a letter to my parents to get my back checked.” Sayuri’s initial X-rays confirmed the nurse’s suspicions. “When I got my x-rays done, I was told that I had moderate scoliosis, with a recommendation for a back brace to keep the curve from progressing,” says Sayuri. The diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, characterized by a severe S curve, meant that her life would require some adjustments. As Sayuri grew older, […]

More than 7 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (or T. cruzi), the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In the United States, the number of cases is relatively low but appears to be growing, especially in certain regions. According to experts at UCLA Health, approximately 45,000 people in Los Angeles County are infected, among more than 300,000 in the United States, and fewer than 2% of them are aware they carry the parasite. However, these reports are not as current as the clinical community would like, given the calculated risk of exposure. This has led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advocate for reclassifying certain states as endemic (en-DEM-ik) areas where infected parasites live and potentially transmit the disease. What is Chagas disease? Chagas (SHAH-gus) disease is caused by the T. cruzi parasite, which is harbored by approximately a dozen species of bloodsucking triatomine bugs, commonly referred […]

Our daughter Kinsley’s story began with a broken leg at a very young age. When the cast came off, she refused to walk. Although she showed some other symptoms like a relentless fever and sleeping a lot, “we never anticipated she had cancer,” her parents added.  “Kinsley was diagnosed at age 2 with a very rare form of leukemia known as near haploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This type of leukemia makes up less than 1% of all leukemias worldwide, and comes with a very dismal prognosis.” The months that followed were painful and overwhelming. Kinsley suffered severe side effects during and after treatment. “Watching your child suffer through this horrendous journey is gut-wrenching. It’s brutal, especially when as a parent you can’t do anything but sit on the sidelines and watch. Watch and pray,” her parents said. Despite the challenges, Kinsley showed incredible resilience. She had four bone marrow […]

You are at your pediatrician’s office for a well-visit, and the doctor asks you to describe your toddler’s diet. You want to say they eat a variety of healthy foods, but in reality, your child refuses to look at anything green or remotely healthy and is hooked on pizza, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese. Does this sound familiar? Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and we’re here to help! Let’s work together to find creative ways to get more fruits and vegetables into your picky eater. Better Tricks for Better Eating Habits You may have heard about ways to sneak healthy options into foods your child already likes, such as zucchini in muffins and blended broccoli into spaghetti sauce. While this is a great way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, there may be more long-term benefits in helping your child learn to want to eat these foods. To […]