All CHLA Blog Posts
Published on May 17, 2018
By Katie Sweeney
Twelve-year-old Justin Ybarra likes to joke around, and he likes to have fun. Very rarely does he take life too seriously—even though there have been plenty of things in his life that have been plenty serious.
So when you ask him why he got along so... Read More
Published on May 11, 2018
Many parents are hesitant to use signs with their babies because they fear it will delay their child’s verbal growth. However, research supports the use of symbolic gestures to foster language skills and verbal development.
A typically developing child’s first words occur... Read More
Published on May 11, 2018
When tragic or violent events occur, parents may wonder about how to help their kids understand the graphic images and emotional video footage that they may see. Stephanie Marcy, PhD, psychologist at Children's Hospital Los angeles suggests a few guidelines to keep in... Read More
Published on April 27, 2018
The Trauma Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is collaborating with the American College of Surgeons Committee to lead a hands-on, community class called Stop the Bleed.
Following the tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, a group of... Read More
Published on April 26, 2018
Katie Hawley was a rising young soccer star when cancer hit at age 9. Now she balances a desire to be a “typical” teenager with the challenges of a life-threatening disease.
By Candace Pearson
At 18, Katie Hawley is such an expert at blending life as a teenager and... Read More
Published on April 19, 2018
Even before Angelique Garcia was born, doctors at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles knew she had a severe form of congenital heart disease called complete atrioventricular canal defect (CAVC), thanks to a prenatal echocardiogram by CHLA cardiologist Jay Pruetz, MD.
In a... Read More
Published on April 16, 2018
If you are a parent who has been awakened from slumber with a child crying in pain, you can understand my distress at watching my son wake up in pain night after night. My son started having “growing pains” early in toddlerhood—18 months old was the first episode that I can... Read More
Published on April 12, 2018
In a previous blog, I worked with a central venous catheter (CVC) specialist to discuss proper care and hygiene of a central line, and how to troubleshoot problems that can occur. I now want to share what I have learned from caregivers who work with central lines. In... Read More
Published on April 6, 2018
A rare, polio-like illness called acute flaccid myelitis appeared on the national radar in 2014 and may be on track to return this summer and fall. Here is one family’s story, and a look at CHLA’s innovative, multidisciplinary approach.
By Candace Pearson
Like many parents... Read More
Published on April 3, 2018
If you have school-age children in your house I am sure you are familiar with the homemade slime craze. Many parents love the idea of making slime and why not? It’s a rare chance for kids to be technology-free, and encourages them to express their creativity by adding... Read More
Published on March 30, 2018
Robert Adler, MD, MSEd, doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t want to be a pediatrician. “It never gets boring, because every family is different,” he says. “Every family has different aspirations and goals for their kids.” After 40 years in the field, his enthusiasm is... Read More
Published on March 20, 2018
My name is Grace Rose and I’m 15 years old. I was born with cystic fibrosis, which is a life-threatening disease that attacks my lungs and digestive system. I need to be watched carefully and treated often.
I’ve been going to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles since I was... Read More
Published on March 15, 2018
One of the most exciting milestones for parents is their child’s first steps. They will film it, post it on social media, and tell all their friends about that exciting day. So it is no surprise that as a physical therapist to children with special needs, I am often asked, “... Read More
Published on March 14, 2018
In addition to providing world-class care for children diagnosed with biliary atresia, physicians in the Liver Transplant Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are trying to understand biliary atresia and find better ways to treat it.
What is biliary atresia?
Biliary... Read More
Published on March 2, 2018
Superheroes come in many shapes and sizes. In the movies and the comics, they’re most often big and strong, with bulging biceps and superpowers unlike anything we earthlings have ever seen. In real life, however, superheroes often look much different, their powers subtler... Read More
Published on February 23, 2018
Jim Harrison, age 2
CHLA’s Home Mechanical Ventilation Program Marks 40th Anniversary
There was a time when it was devastating news for a parent to learn that in order to survive, their child would need to be hospitalized and require assistance to breathe with a... Read More
Published on February 23, 2018
When I decided to look into the question of amber teething beads for infants, I first searched the internet to see what popped up. Google produced a host of very pretty looking beads for sale for this purpose. As a lover of amber, coral and turquoise I can understand the... Read More
Published on February 22, 2018
By Katie Sweeney
On a picture-perfect summer day at the lake in August 2016, William Lievense, then 9, stood at the edge of the dock, ready to jump gleefully into the water one more time.
At that moment, his life was still the normal life he had always known. In that... Read More
Published on February 15, 2018
After beating back two life-threatening illnesses, the resilient teenager has a new heart to take forward and a bout with cancer to leave behind.
By Jeff Weinstock
Consider this a chicken-and-egg discussion no one ever wanted to have, but knowing which came first, the... Read More
Published on February 6, 2018
By Katie Sweeney
Fifteen-year-old Zerkari Payne is back at school these days, hanging out with his friends again and “shooting some hoop.” The outgoing high school sophomore has more energy than he can ever remember.
“I feel like a brand-new person,” Zerkari says.
Still... Read More