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Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley

In April 2024, Logan began experiencing persistent right shoulder pain. What made it particularly confusing was that he hadn’t experienced any recent injuries or trauma. His family, concerned, took him to see his pediatrician, who, after a thorough examination, referred them to a local pediatric orthopedic specialist. Whittney, Logan’s mother, recalls, “When the pain started, Logan was hurting all the time. He kept his arm in a sling for a little over a month, but there was no improvement. He had trouble putting on his own shirt and couldn’t lift a carton of milk. He couldn’t play baseball or do any of the things he enjoyed so it started to affect his mental health.” The local orthopedic specialist was diligent in trying to pinpoint the cause of Logan’s discomfort. Over the course of a month, he ordered a series of lab tests and imaging studies. Despite these efforts, the specialist […]

When Allison was 21 weeks pregnant, she and her husband, Chris, learned that their son, Jackson, would be born with diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism. After his birth and spending 37 days in the NICU at their local hospital near their home in Virginia, they began to see specialists for Jackson’s care. “Shortly after learning Jackson’s diagnosis, we connected online with another family whose son also has diastrophic dysplasia,” shares Allison. “They recommended we consult with the skeletal dysplasia team at Nemours Children’s. While Jackson was still in the NICU with feeding issues, we were in contact with Angie Duker, MS, CGC.” In May of 2016, when Jackson was just 3 months old, they made their first visit to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “As diastrophic dysplasia is not as common as other types of skeletal dysplasia, we were looking to find care from medical professionals with specific and successful experience with the […]

Megan and Brian were overjoyed when they learned of their pregnancy with Emma. Like many expectant parents, they were filled with excitement and anticipation. However, their journey took an unexpected turn during a routine 24-week OB/GYN visit. Their doctor noticed that Emma’s growth had dropped significantly to the 3rd percentile, a development that immediately raised alarms. “It was recommended we see Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists on account of the high-risk pregnancy,” share Megan and Brian. “After several more visits and an amniocentesis, we learned that Emma had achondroplasia, about one month before she arrived.” Achondroplasia is the most common skeletal dysplasia leading to disproportionate short stature. “We are both average height parents and do not have any family history of achondroplasia, so we did not know a great deal about the condition until we met our sweet Emma,” share Megan and Brian. In Emma’s case, her achondroplasia was caused by a […]

The advanced delivery unit (ADU) at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware recently reached a major milestone — welcoming 300 babies into this world! Expectant parents can take comfort in the comprehensive multidisciplinary care model of the Nemours Advanced Delivery Program, which is designed for babies diagnosed with medical conditions before birth that require a post-delivery intensive care unit stay. This planning ensures that newborns’ medical needs are met, allowing access to nationally renowned pediatric specialists and providing families with necessary support and guidance during a critical time. The story of baby Ricky’s family illustrates the program’s benefits, as they chose to plan his arrival at the Nemours Children’s ADU after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD) before birth. When a Family Learns Their Baby Needs Extra Care Most commonly, families learn their unborn baby will need specialized care during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Ultrasounds during pregnancy are often […]

When 8-year-old Owen was bitten by a dog, his lower lip was nearly torn off, turning a peaceful evening into a night of uncertainty. With his parents out for a date night, a family member rushed him to the local emergency room, but it was clear that the extent of Owen’s injuries required specialized care. Shortly after, Owen was swiftly transferred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. His mother, Alicia, recalls their first encounter with the Nemours Children’s, “We started in the emergency department at Nemours, and everyone was so great with him,” she says. The immediate care and the compassionate approach of the care team provided the family with a sense of reassurance during a highly stressful time. “We got admitted that night with a plan of having surgery the next day,” says Alicia. It was then that they met Dr. Caterson, Division Chief of Plastic Surgery. “He was phenomenal. […]

Diagnosed with hemihypertrophy and leg length discrepancy at just 9 months old, Jeffrey has undergone a complex medical journey, spanning over a decade. His family chose Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware after researching top children’s hospitals near their home in Lehigh Valley, PA. His family was particularly drawn to Dr. Reid Nichols, who would become Jeffrey’s doctor for the next 11 years. Throughout his life, Jeffrey’s treatments have been multifaceted and challenging. Jeffrey underwent several procedures, including an iliotibial fasciotomy/tenotomy, femur shaft osteotomy, and the implantation of a Precice lengthening device, as well as hemiephysiodesis of the distal femur. These interventions were crucial in addressing his leg length discrepancy and associated complications. His mother Amber shares, “We are blessed that Dr. Nichols has been his doctor for 11 years and giving us the best treatment. Her upbeat outlook and confidence in her work gave us the motivation we needed to continue […]