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Health Conditions

“Madison has a history with cancer,” says her mother, Erin. She’s received a diagnosis that no family should have to face not just once, but twice. At the age of 2, Madison was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer that affects the retina, the inner layer of the eye. A subtle “glow” in her eye caught her parents’ attention, leading them to see an ophthalmologist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. The journey that followed included six months of chemotherapy and the removal of her left eye. During this time, Madison and her family worked closely with oncologist, Dr. Gregory Griffin. Dr. Griffin played a big part in her journey and their family had a great experience with him. Madison also had amazing doctors from Wills Eye Hospital in Philly. Dr Carol Shields and Dr. Sara Lally were integral in her treatment.   Years later, at the age of 12, Madison faced […]

Born at 27-weeks, weighing 1 pound and 15 ounces, Marjorie spent her first two and half months of life in the NICU. Following discharge, she was seen at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville for hip dysplasia and eye checkups. When she was 7 months old, Marjorie’s parents noticed her belly was very distended. It continued to swell quickly, so her parents brought her to the pediatrician. After an ultrasound confirmed a mass, the family was rushed via ambulance to Wolfson Children’s Hospital where she first met Dr. Gauger. “Following multiple scans and tests, we heard the words you never want to hear, ‘Your child has cancer,’” says Marjorie’s mom, McCall. “Marjorie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma 4S. She spent three weeks in the hospital and was readmitted for more chemotherapy before being discharged on July 11, 2015.” After discharging, Marjorie continued to be followed by her oncology team at Nemours Children’s. “Through […]

Keeping your child healthy and strong. Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have lower levels of certain vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients. That’s because their bodies turn over red blood cells so fast that nutrients are broken down faster than normal. When the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, it leads to malnourishment, anemia (low iron), frequent infections, poor growth and development, and other complications. At the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, our team incorporates nutrition into the overall treatment plan for kids with SCD. We know that good nutrition helps to support growth, restore energy, improve immunity and strengthen muscles and bones. Good nutrition can also reduce pain crisis and the side effects of certain treatments. This can help decrease the number of hospital visits and improve overall health as your child grows. Essential Vitamins and Minerals for SCD A child with SCD takes […]

Infantile spasms (IS) is a rare, but serious type of seizure associated with a unique, very abnormal brain wave pattern that can have a catastrophic effect on a young, developing brain.  What do these seizures look like? These seizures can be subtle and consist of repetitive movements occurring in clusters. These movements are brief and consist of head drops or head bobs with brief jerks followed by flexion or extension in the child’s extremities. The eyes may widen and roll up.  How are they different from sudden startles? These seizures typically occur in clusters of repetitive movements, often when the child is waking up from sleep. After these clusters, the child may cry or become irritable.  What are other symptoms that I may see? At times, the child may cease to make further developmental gains, or have regression in their developmental milestones. What age does Infantile Spasms tend to occur? At any […]

Being diagnosed with epilepsy (a nervous system condition that causes seizures) can be alarming and frightening for parents and caretakers. Part of this worry is likely due to some misconceptions about this disease. Let’s talk about 5 myths surrounding epilepsy that should be debunked.  1. We’re alone. You’re not alone. Epilepsy is not rare. In fact, it’s one of the most common diseases we see in neurology. More people live with epilepsy than people with autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy – combined! A study published in 2011 found 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. That’s like one child in each classroom at a typical school! So it’s not as rare as you may think. Because of this, there are several support groups to help people who are newly diagnosed become familiar with epilepsy and help them navigate their life with this new disease.  2. I cannot be successful […]

While back to school season is usually an exciting time for most students, many kids and teens may also be feeling anxious or worried about what this school year might have in store. For many students, this is the first time they will return to in person learning since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While some may be looking forward to getting back to their normal schedules, there are those who are struggling with returning to school under new conditions.  A lot of kids and teens have struggled with stress and uncertainty over the last year because of the disruptions to “normal” life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While returning to in person learning has many benefits for mental health and well-being, especially increased socializing that is crucial for kids and teens, your child may also have some concerns about heading back to school this year, including: Being behind other classmates […]