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New RSV Vaccine Offering Protection for Infants Approved with the Help of Research from Seattle Children’s

September 22, 2023  |  General, Health and Safety, Patient Care, Research Comments Off on New RSV Vaccine Offering Protection for Infants Approved with the Help of Research from Seattle Children’s

Sue Chantorn, laboratory supervisor in Seattle Children’s Research Services Lab, demonstrates sample aliquoting

In a major moment for combatting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), today the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended an RSV vaccine for pregnant persons that researchers have determined is safe and effective in preventing RSV disease in infants through immunization during pregnancy.

The new Pfizer RSV vaccine joins the recently approved monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, as the first products offered broadly to provide protection against RSV for all babies.

Seattle Children’s researchers studied both the RSV vaccine and the RSV antibody.

Studies for the RSV vaccine at Seattle Children’s were led by Dr. Janet Englund, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and researcher at Seattle Children’s, principal investigator in the Center for Clinical Translational Research at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington (UW).

RSV is the number one cause of hospitalizations each year at Seattle Children’s Hospital for young children and is the most common cause for hospitalization of all infants in the country, says Dr. Englund.

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Seattle Children’s Announces Future Location of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Central District

September 12, 2023  |  Mental Health, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Patient Care Comments Off on Seattle Children’s Announces Future Location of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Central District

Today, leaders from Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) announced the location of its new clinic site in Seattle’s Central District.

The future home of OBCC, situated on the corner of 18th Ave. S. and S. Jackson St., will serve area patients and families with robust mental health and behavioral health services, nutrition, acute and well-child medical visits, labs, violence and injury prevention support and addiction related resources, which are unique to OBCC and not offered elsewhere.

“The Central District neighborhood is OBCC’s original home, and we are overjoyed to share this news,” said Dr. Shaquita Bell, OBCC’s senior medical director. “This location is in the heart of the Central District and allows us to continue caring for our patients and families in the neighborhood, as we have for over 50 years.”

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“At 17, My World Completely Changed”: Two-Time Cancer Survivor Shares Her Path to Wellness

September 7, 2023  |  Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer, Cancer and Blood Disorders, General, Patient Care, Patient Stories Comments Off on “At 17, My World Completely Changed”: Two-Time Cancer Survivor Shares Her Path to Wellness

As a second-year grad student working toward a doctorate degree in the field of health sciences, Emma is as busy as ever.

But for this 23-year-old, originally of Snohomish, WA, facing extraordinary challenges with determination and resilience is a skill she mastered early on.

In 2017, after experiencing extreme bouts of itchiness from head to toe, Emma went to see a dermatologist to get checked out, thinking she might be developing some form of eczema.

During the appointment, the doctor recommended a chest X-ray to potentially check for anything more serious. Unfortunately, the results were everything they hoped it wouldn’t be.

“I had tumors on my heart, lungs and under my clavicles – basically I had them all throughout my chest region,” Emma explained. “I was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and it was like everything in the world around me slowed down. My body gave out and I just fell into my brother’s arms. At 17, my world completely changed.”

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Brothers Born with Identical Craniofacial Condition Three Years Apart Thriving After Major Skull Surgeries at Seattle Children’s: ‘I Felt We Were in the Best Hands’

September 5, 2023  |  Craniofacial, General, Patient Care, Patient Stories, Pediatric Surgery Comments Off on Brothers Born with Identical Craniofacial Condition Three Years Apart Thriving After Major Skull Surgeries at Seattle Children’s: ‘I Felt We Were in the Best Hands’

Each year, Seattle Children’s Craniofacial Center treats hundreds of children with craniosynostosis, a condition most families have never heard of, yet can affect approximately 1 in every 2,500 babies in the United States.

That was the case for Kali Dempsey’s family, of Camano Island, WA, in early 2017.

“We were sent to Seattle Children’s when my son Ronan was about a month old and they diagnosed him there,” explained Dempsey. “It was all brand new. You hear about all kinds of things, but I had never come across craniosynostosis before.”

At birth, the seams between the bone plates in a baby’s skull are not fused together, allowing a child’s head to move through the birth canal and permitting the skull to grow bigger over time. Craniosynostosis is when one or more of these seams closes too early.

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Seattle Children’s Experts Explain Why Kids and Teens Should Avoid Energy Drinks

August 3, 2023  |  General, Health and Safety Comments Off on Seattle Children’s Experts Explain Why Kids and Teens Should Avoid Energy Drinks

Childhood is a dynamic time of discovery and exploration. It’s important however, for parents and caregivers to ensure that children are exploring in healthy and safe ways.

When it comes to establishing positive nutrition habits for youth and teens in particular, parents often have many questions about caffeine intake, and more specifically about energy drinks.

On the Pulse spoke with Dr. Suzan Mazor, an emergency attending physician and the medical director of toxicology at Seattle Children’s, to help separate fact from fiction.

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Seattle Children’s Pediatrician Shares Safety Tips to Consider when Camping

July 18, 2023  |  Health and Safety Comments Off on Seattle Children’s Pediatrician Shares Safety Tips to Consider when Camping

With temperatures on the rise, many families have begun planning for some fun, outdoor adventures.

If camping is on the agenda, it’s important to be informed and prepared before heading off to any campgrounds, especially when camping with small children.

Dr. Michelle Terry, a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s, shares some key advice and tips with On the Pulse on what parents and caregivers should know to ensure kids and the whole family are healthy and safe while camping.

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Students from Yale University Serenade Seattle Children’s Patients and Families

July 13, 2023  |  Cancer and Blood Disorders, General, Patient Care, Patient Stories Comments Off on Students from Yale University Serenade Seattle Children’s Patients and Families

Luna, a Seattle Children’s patient smiles while hearing her favorite song ‘Let it Go’

Seattle Children’s patients, families and staff were surprised by a pop-up performance from students in Yale University’s a cappella group, Mixed Company.

The undergraduate students traveled over 2,000 miles for a series of performances in the Seattle area and made a stop at Seattle Children’s with the hope of bringing joy to those staying and working in the hospital.

A cappella is a style of music that does not use instruments, and instead uses a range of vocal skills to harmonize and perform songs in a variety of genres including pop, rock, folk, jazz and R&B.

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22-Year-Old College Student Beats Leukemia, Returns to School After Successful Cancer Treatment for Young Adults at Seattle Children’s

July 11, 2023  |  Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer, Cancer and Blood Disorders, Cancer and Research, General, Patient Care, Patient Stories Comments Off on 22-Year-Old College Student Beats Leukemia, Returns to School After Successful Cancer Treatment for Young Adults at Seattle Children’s

At just 19 years old, Faye, an avid swimmer and college freshman at Northeastern University, found her life plans on hold when she began experiencing fevers and flu-like symptoms.

When her temperature reached 104 degrees, Faye called an Uber and headed to the nearest emergency department.

While at Boston Medical Center, providers discovered Faye had an abnormally low white blood cell count and kept her overnight.

“The minute they walked in, I knew something was deeply wrong,” recalled Faye.

The doctors explained to Faye and her mom, Molly, that her blood was filled with abnormal, immature white blood cells called blasts; they believed she had leukemia.

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Meet Seattle Children’s Chief Diversity Officer, Alicia Tieder

July 6, 2023  |  General, Leadership Comments Off on Meet Seattle Children’s Chief Diversity Officer, Alicia Tieder

Seattle Children’s senior director and chief diversity officer has an unwavering passion that is inspiring and igniting transformation within the organization.

Alicia Tieder leads multiple teams, including the Center for Diversity and Health Equity (CDHE), Workforce Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (WIDEA), and Patient Family Education.

In early 2023, Tieder celebrated her eight-year anniversary at Seattle Children’s – a journey that initially began on the Social Work team and has now evolved to an advocate of change.

On the Pulse shares more about her background and passion for creating a workplace that prioritizes equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism.

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Seattle Children’s Cancer Leaders Recognized for Continued Efforts to Develop and Discover Better Treatments and Cures

June 29, 2023  |  Cancer and Blood Disorders, Cancer and Research, General, Leadership, Research Comments Off on Seattle Children’s Cancer Leaders Recognized for Continued Efforts to Develop and Discover Better Treatments and Cures

In Seattle Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (CBDC), patients are treated for some of the most complex and rare conditions seen in children, teens and young adults.

Close ties and dual roles between the CBDC care team and Seattle Children’s researchers extends a unique, team approach to treating pediatric patients in their fight against childhood cancer and blood disorders through new diagnostic tests, novel treatments, pioneering clinical trials and generating new insights on the biology of these diseases.

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