Pediatrics – Here for Life

Masks are down, colds are up

November 9, 2022

Now that the masks are down we’re finally sharing those smiles we all missed, but unfortunately those germs are also seizing the opportunity they’ve missed for the past few years. Germs (mostly in the form of viruses thanks to effective vaccinations) – are currently wreaking havoc on our little ones.

Hennepin Healthcare pediatric infectious disease specialist Stacene Maroushek, MD emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children to avoid some of the common childhood illnesses, including influenza, that can add to the surplus of infections that are widespread right now. (more…)

Help your child cope with pokes!

September 30, 2022

With the new school year and flu season soon to arrive, caregivers are looking for ways to support their children for positive immunization experiences. As child life specialists, it is our job to help children and families cope with scary, painful and potentially traumatic experiences—especially at the hospital or clinic.

There are many ways that families can partner with the medical team to assist with anxiety about pokes. (more…)

A back-to-school plan to support your teen

September 2, 2022

Going back to school after summer break can be a very difficult time for teens. Even though they’ve done this many times before, each new school year can bring new anxiety and other challenges for your teen. As their parent, you play a key role in supporting them through the transition to ensure they have the best year possible. Here are some helpful tips to consider as you plan for back-to-school season: (more…)

Three tips for a healthy relationship with your teen

August 4, 2022

Being a teenager can be very challenging – for both the teen and the parent. Parenting your teenager might feel easy at times and extremely difficult at others. Though it may feel impossible, the way you raise your teen plays a key role in the way they live their life as an adult and the relationship they have with you. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you navigate parenting your teen. (more…)

Tips for celebrating safely with fireworks

June 28, 2022

According to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, in 2020, 78 people went to Minnesota hospitals with fireworks injuries. That doesn’t come close to the actual number of people injured who didn’t seek care at a hospital. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid fireworks altogether this Fourth of July. As a Level I Adult, Pediatric, and Burn Center, Hennepin Healthcare offers these tips for celebrating safely with fireworks this summer. (more…)

Mobile clinic brings health care to patients’ doors–from a bigger, brighter van

April 19, 2022

A three-year-old patient was behind on her vaccine appointments, and a look at her chart showed other medical needs—a history of seizures and some missed appointments with her specialist. When Nurse Practitioner Katie Brown saw the toddler’s chart, she knew she had to find out what was happening—and she had to help.

Katie learned that it was nearly impossible for the child’s mother to show up for the appointments she was scheduling due to conflicts and caring for her other children– whether it was routine vaccines or other care. (more…)

Don’t eat that!

February 1, 2022

Taking the bite out of choking, poisoning and system-traveling hazards

Babies and toddlers often explore their world using their mouths, where we’ve seen them place fingers, toes, dog food, toys, insects and other benign objects. Most of these aren’t cause for alarm but in addition to choking dangers small items can cause life-threatening problems if they are swallowed. Commonly ingested items that can cause medical emergencies include coins, button batteries, toys, toy parts, magnets, safety pins, screws, marbles, and bones. (more…)

Healthcare that gives adolescents and young adults a voice

December 21, 2021

Adolescence is an important time of development. Young people are developing physically, emotionally, and socially. Their brains are developing rapidly. While early childhood involves rapid brain growth, adolescent brain development is focused on a process called “pruning,” in which the existing neural pathways are refined and trimmed over time, especially in the main decision-making areas of the brain. This process goes on well into a person’s twenties. As a result, in adolescence, many neurons, including those in the reward pathways, are firing rapidly. This creates an environment for rapid socioemotional development, learning and sometimes behaviors that involve risk-taking and high rewards. The adolescent years is a period of opportunity and vulnerability for health and development. (more…)