Last year, with schools closed due to COVID-19 and quarantine in full swing, many teens became even more glued to their screens. In many ways, that was OK: Teens are wired to be social, and social media helped them stay connected to friends. Technology was essential for remote learning. But screens of all kinds, from […]

Seven-year-old Claire is never one to drag her feet. “She doesn’t walk, she bounces,” says mom Tracy. And that was true even before she was born, when at 33 weeks pregnant, doctors announced that baby Claire was on her way – seven weeks early. She would need highly specialized care from the moment she was […]

By: Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA “Trauma season” – that’s how emergency medicine providers and injury prevention experts often refer to the months of May through August. That’s because of the dramatic increase in the number of children injured during the warm spring and summer months. This summer, as pandemic restrictions are lifted, people are […]

By: Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP Now that school’s out and summer’s officially here, your family may be dreaming up a summertime bucket list. A garden project is a perfect addition – and it’s not too late to start! Stacy Chandna, co-director of Kohl’s Start Childhood Off Right program, joins the blog with tips. Want more articles like […]

As the state’s only pediatric health system 100% dedicated to kids, Connecticut Children’s understands just how important reading is – and the positive impact it can have on a child’s physical and mental health. With our 25th Anniversary and the summer season upon us, we’re dedicating the month of July to reading and the value […]

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12 – another major step toward ending the pandemic and getting back to your family’s favorite activities. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, returns to the Growing Healthy blog to answer common questions about […]

June is Pride Month in the United States, a time to celebrate and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about the different ways that people can identify and love one another, and how to lift their own and others’ voices for […]

Up to three out of four kids will have a heart murmur at some point in childhood, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. To explain more, Connecticut Children’s pediatric cardiologist (and American Heart Association leader!) Seth Lapuk, MD, joins the blog. 1. Most heart murmurs are normal and caused by normal blood […]

This post was last updated on June 16, 2021. Recently, the CDC said it is looking into reports of heart problems in young people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19. These cases have been very rare, and for the most part, mild. But we know that many parents have questions. Connecticut Children’s Physician-in-Chief Juan C. Salazar, […]