All CHLA Blog Posts
Published on February 21, 2017
Early on when my son started trying solid foods, he would eat everything I put in front of him and like it. I remember thinking to myself, “He’s going to be such a good eater.” (My husband and I like everything and eat a wide variety of foods.) Although he still is, since he’s... Read More
Published on February 21, 2017
I recently cared for a child who was admitted to our unit for iron deficiency anemia and worked with Sarah White, MD, to provide some family education on this very common anemia, what the cause is, the symptoms and the treatment. I am partnering with White again to discuss... Read More
Published on February 16, 2017
Brushing your child’s teeth is never easy. Let’s face it, for many of us it’s a stress-provoking task. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that children have their teeth brushed twice a day for two minutes. As parents, you try and follow all the rules to... Read More
Published on January 25, 2017
Written by Heather Ayers-Cluff, MSW, CPST; Jessica MacDonald, PT, CPST; Kathleen Palas, RN III, CPST; Mina Farag, MPH, CPSTI
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 53 requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat. The new law will NOT apply to... Read More
Published on January 23, 2017
Welcome to 2017 and National Blood Donor Month! Did you make a New Year’s resolution? I decided to make a resolution to save at least the life of one child in 2017. Here is why I made that choice and how you can join me.
My friend Joe was traveling in a remote part of Asia... Read More
Published on January 20, 2017
Imagine a newborn so small you can hold her entire body in one hand. Then imagine the overwhelming concern and responsibility you would feel for her fragile life if this were your own child. For Nicole and Danny Castro, it doesn’t take any imagination; their daughter, Indi,... Read More
Published on January 20, 2017
A muscle disorder has frozen her body and impaired her speech, but with every academic achievement, the straight-A college freshman delivers a message to those who can't see past her disabilities.
You have to fight the inclination to ignore Connie Morales. Diminutive,... Read More
Published on January 19, 2017
In the U.S., food allergies affect 1 in 13 children. Among food allergies, peanut allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis. It is life threatening, and the economic and psychosocial burdens that come with it make life much more difficult for patients and their families. As... Read More
Published on January 5, 2017
A group, known as the ‘6AM-ers,’ rise early in the morning and travel from as far away as Monrovia, Pasadena and Sylmar twice a month to donate blood and platelets at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Blood Donor Center. Their special gift of life has been helping kids who are... Read More
Published on November 29, 2016
When 15-year-old Jenny Cheng learned that she’d been accepted to a prestigious summer ballet and language program in Russia—earning a significant scholarship—she was beyond elated.
But on that same day in April 2015, Jenny and her family also learned that her scoliosis (... Read More
Published on November 29, 2016
A Family Fighting Leukemia Finds Answers, Care and Hope
The signs were subtle. A less persistent person might have listened to the advice from the first few doctors, and just chalked it up to a sinus infection and the overactive imagination of a new mom. But Ashley Kramer... Read More
Published on November 29, 2016
In October 2009, Megan and Christopher Pierson welcomed daughter Saylor at a local hospital near their home in Newport Beach, California. Even though their little one was born six weeks early, the proud parents were thrilled. “She was pink and crying and looked perfect,” Megan... Read More
Published on November 28, 2016
In earlier blogs I wrote about water safety and preventing drowning. I have found that drowning is more prevalent worldwide than deaths by war; in fact it is the second leading cause of unintentional death worldwide. Over half of the deaths are children less than 15 years old... Read More
Published on November 28, 2016
Does your child have difficulties being understood, completing classroom assignments or using language appropriately? Whether your child has just begun school or has been struggling for years, you may notice that they seem to have difficulty, no matter how hard they work.... Read More
Published on November 28, 2016
Carter Holt is the hero and protector of his little brother, Forrest, who suffers from vascular malformations and kidney failure.
“You’re doing a good job, buddy.”
Those are the loving words 5-year-old Carter Holt whispers to his little brother, Forrest, whenever he leaves... Read More
Published on November 25, 2016
The holidays are just around the corner and the “Top Ten Toys of 2016” lists are flooding the internet already. But as plentiful as these lists may be, it is a daunting task to narrow down a list to meet each child’s unique interests, to match their development skills and... Read More
Published on November 23, 2016
Lunch is an important meal of the day for school-aged children. It gives them a chance to take a break from learning and re-fuel for the afternoon. The school year is well underway, and you may be debating whether to pack a lunch for your child or participate in the school... Read More
Published on November 21, 2016
A twelve-year-old's golf dream made possible by bone marrow donor sister.
Immediately after watching “The Short Game,” a documentary about elite 7-year-old golfers descending on the world-famous Pinehurst Golf Course to determine the next world champion, Marley Franklin... Read More
Published on November 11, 2016
How CHLA helped one teenager overcome scoliosis to soar in gymnastics and in life
Scoliosis surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles gave 17-year-old Danielle Drake new hope for her aerial gymnastics career—and two inches on the height charts.
Danielle, a resident of San... Read More
Published on November 9, 2016
Torticollis is a common congenital deformity, and current research suggests it affects up to 16 percent of infants. Congenital muscular torticollis is caused by a tightening of the sternocleidoid muscle in the neck and classically characterized by the infant’s head being... Read More