Taking eyedrops multiple times a day is no picnic, and as much as 90 percent or more of the medicine ends up outside the eye, which pretty much defeats the purpose. Now, researchers led by Children’s biomaterials guru Dan Kohane, MD, PhD, report that they’ve developed a special contact lens, currently in animal testing, that gradually dispenses meds for up to 100 days. This could be a boon for patients with glaucoma, dry-eye and other eye diseases that require frequent drops.
From the monthly archives:
July 2009
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Stumped by how to guide your child through the new media landscape? You’re not alone. While research shows that young people spend more time using media–TV, movies, music, computers, Internet, cell phones, magazines and video games–than engaging in any other single activity except sleep, parents everywhere are desperately trying to work out how much and what kind of media is good for their child.
Enter resident media expert Michael Rich, MD, MPH, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital Boston. As a former Hollywood filmmaker, he’s a media lover. But as a pediatrician, he’s aware that media has both positive and negative effects on children’s health. Each week, he provides science-based answers and practical solutions to reader-submitted questions about media use. This week, he tackles educational baby videos:
Q: I just became an aunt for the first time and while looking for baby gifts, I keep coming across educational DVDs for infants. Will these help my nephew get a head start on learning?
Amateur Aunt in Boston, MA
A: Dear Amateur Aunt, Congratulations! Being an aunt gives you the unique opportunity to have significant influence in a child’s life, without causing you massive sleep deprivation. I get this question a lot because parents always want to offer learning opportunities for their children. Though these videos are often marketed as educational, research has so far shown us that they are not helpful to learning. Full story »
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After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the question most patients have is, “Will I need surgery?” For children 14 and younger, this is a tricky subject.
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Summertime is sundae time, and in this video, Children’s Hospital Boston and Big Apple Circus Clown Care clowns Dr. Gonzo and Dr. Gon Golfin show you how to make the perfect ice cream treat. Watch out for the whipped cream!
One clown’s story: Robb Preskins, aka Dr. Gonzo, on what it’s like to be a clown at a hospital for kids.
I remember my first time on rounds here at Children’s Hospital Boston in November of 1995. I had never performed clown rounds and Children’s had never had clowns on rounds. I kept checking my doctor’s bag to see if I had everything I needed to perform my job. I had juggling clubs, a fake skunk, a pack of playing cards and my sense of humor. I glanced at the mirror to check my make-up and made sure my red nose was on straight. I had a brand new pair of size 18 clown shoes. The white doctor’s coat was crisp. I had forgotten my whoopee cushion and that was going to throw my game off a little. No matter, I would just improvise. I was ready. Full story »
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David Mooney, MD, MPH, director of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Trauma Program, is interviewed about summer safety on New England Cable News.
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It’s no secret that trans-fats aren’t good for you. Thanks to new legislation and pressure from health organizations, companies are removing trans-fats from their products. But what are we left with when trans-fats are taken out of processed foods? David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of Children’s Hospital Boston’s Optimal Weight for Life (OWL) Program, takes on the issue of trans-fat and healthier alternatives. Full story »
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How young is too young to teach children to swim? It’s a question that arises each summer as children flock to pools to cool off, since drowning is the second leading cause of death due to injury among U.S. children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that children under 4 aren’t developmentally ready for swimming lessons, but a recent study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine contradicts previous recommendations, suggesting that basic swimming skills can be taught at a young age and may offer children some protection in an emergency situation. Full story »
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