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A Chiari malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain — called the cerebellum — extends into the spinal canal, where it doesn’t belong. Chiari (kee-AH-ree) malformations are more common than previously known, affecting approximately 1 in every 1,000 people. Due to advances in MRI technology, they’re being identified more frequently and earlier than ever. Here’s what families should know. What is Chiari malformation?  Chiari malformations are congenital (present at birth) in nearly all cases. The issue typically develops while a fetus is growing but, depending on the Chiari type, a person may not experience symptoms until later in childhood, adulthood, or possibly never. The condition is named for German pathologist Professor Hans Chiari, who described it in the 1890s and established the Chiari Types I through IV classification still used today. One important distinction is that Chiari Type II (Arnold-Chiari malformation) is always associated with […]

The story of childhood vaccines is, at its heart, one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. For the better part of a century, parents have walked through the doors of pediatricians’ offices across the country and emerged with children protected against diseases that once claimed young lives by the thousands. Polio, measles, diphtheria — names that once inspired terror in households — have been pushed to the margins of American life largely because of the commitment clinicians and families have made to following evidence-based immunization schedules. And smallpox has been eradicated from the world. That legacy deserves to be honored and celebrated. In 2026, however, parents and pediatric healthcare providers are navigating a landscape that looks more complicated than it has in generations. Here’s what parents need to know about what’s affecting the landscape, the importance of vaccines, and how to make informed decisions. What’s different about the childhood […]

Summer is often viewed as a break from school and a chance to relax. But as the leader of a pediatric health system, I see summer as a stress test for the systems that support children’s health. When the structure of the school year falls away, we gain a clearer view of the factors that shape a child’s well-being: access to nutritious food, safe places to play, nurturing adults, learning opportunities, and stable family support. These conditions matter because medical care is only one component of health. Research consistently shows that the vast majority of health outcomes—around 85%—are shaped by the circumstances of daily life. Over the summer, dependable school breakfast and lunch give way to whatever a family can piece together. Built-in recess and physical education give way to unstructured hours, often leaving children to look for community spaces to play. The network of trusted teachers, counselors, and coaches […]

Fresh fruits and vegetables usually have good publicity. They’re the foods pediatricians, dietitians and public health experts have spent decades encouraging families to eat more often. Parents are told to fill lunchboxes with berries, add vegetables to dinner plates, and keep healthy snacks within reach. That’s why produce-related outbreaks can feel especially unsettling. Over the past several weeks, headlines about a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to fresh produce have left many families wondering whether the foods they’re trying to eat more of are suddenly the foods they should avoid. If you’ve found yourself looking at a salad a little differently lately, you’re not alone. But before you swear off fresh produce for the rest of the summer, it helps to understand why outbreaks like this happen — and why the answer isn’t as simple as “stop eating vegetables.” Why Produce Outbreaks Feel Different When a frozen food product is recalled, most […]

Before your child can read a single word, they’re learning to read the world. Your gaze, your voice, the way you answer their coos and cries — all of these inputs wire their brain for a lifetime of learning. It’s an invisible curriculum, delivered in the ordinary moments of daily life, and it’s the foundation upon which all language and literacy are built. It’s also, quietly and without much public debate, under threat. Learning Starts Long Before Reading As a pediatric surgeon and social scientist, my entire career has revolved around one central question: What do children need from the adults in their lives in order to thrive? Again and again, the science points to the same thing: Nurturing human interaction, and a whole lot of it. Not “educational” videos. Not apps. Not YouTube. Your words, your songs, your eye contact. This is why I’ve spent the last 15 years […]

A diagnosis of childhood lupus can feel overwhelming at first, for both children and the people who love and care for them. Because lupus can affect many parts of the body, and its symptoms may change over time, families often find themselves learning to navigate not only medical care, but also school, emotions, daily routines, and long-term uncertainty. The good news is that families do not have to face this journey alone. Whether you’re managing lupus symptoms, seeking lupus treatment, or still early in your child’s diagnosis and simply trying to understand what it means going forward, you need guidance. Along with support from their medical team, there are many organizations and communities that can offer practical help, trustworthy information, and meaningful connection. Connect With Support Groups Living with lupus can sometimes feel lonely, but families should know they are not alone. There’s a strong lupus community with many opportunities […]