Authors: Madison Joseph
For American Heart Month, Seattle Children’s providers share their tips for helping kids and teens build strong, healthy hearts.
Protect young athletes with pre-sport heart screenings
Generally, kids are safe to play sports and exercise without concern for cardiac events, but with all types of sports, it is important to do a physical with family history to identify those who might be at risk.
Dr. Jack Christian Salerno, Associate Chief, Division of Cardiology; Director, Electrophysiology and Pacing Services, said parents can help protect their young athletes from sudden cardiac arrest by learning about potential “red flags” before their kids begin competing in sports during the middle- and high-school years.
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Authors: Ashley Speller
With a lack of summer sunshine, the ongoing days of winter and frigid temperatures can leave families and children feeling stuck indoors. However, it’s important to get outside, no matter the weather.
Seattle Children’s Dr. Pooja Tandon encourages outdoor play, as it promotes opportunities for physical activity and motor development, boosts Vitamin D levels and improves mental health.
There are also added social interactions and sensory experiences that children experience when outdoors.
“Take advantage of the power of playing in nature—near your home or neighborhood, or wherever you feel comfortable,” shared Dr. Tandon with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “Remember to dress appropriately for the weather. It’s also a good idea to wash hands or use hand sanitizer during and after your adventure.”
On the Pulse spoke with the pediatrician, scientist and mother who shared her five key pieces of advice to help parents, caregivers and kids enjoy the outdoors, even during the cold weather months.
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Rose Ibarra
Hudson was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy at 8 years old and received life-changing care to Seattle Children’s
Like many 10-year-olds, Hudson Lewis loves to play video games, listen to music, swim and hang out with friends and family.
But unlike most kids his age, Hudson’s childhood has been filled with challenges no child should have to experience.
Hudson was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy known to affect heart function but didn’t experience any cardiac affects until he was 9 years old.
Hudson’s mom, KaLinda Lewis, said the symptoms started suddenly — first affecting Hudson’s ability to walk and later causing severe stomach pain, dizzy spells, vomiting and even hallucinations.
“We noticed his body was getting weaker,” she recalled. “He would take a couple steps and his legs would give out on him.”
KaLinda took Hudson to Seattle Children’s Emergency Department where doctors determined that Hudson was in heart failure.
“When they said those two words, heart failure, it just blew us away,” KaLinda said.
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Jenni Carson
Tina Janni was a pediatric patient at Seattle Children’s
At the young age of 12, Tina Janni began suffering from flu-like symptoms over the summer that rapidly escalated into kidney failure.
“I rode in an ambulance from Olympia, WA to Seattle Children’s Hospital,” she explained.
Though Janni recalls feeling frightened, a compassionate support system made a significant impact on her family during a deeply difficult time.
“I was fortunate that loneliness was never a complicating issue,” she said. “In addition to my parents, I remember nurses, care providers and staff who were a constant and calming presence during the two months I was a patient.”
Janni was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Johanna Sanchez-Vargas
Dr. David Wang provides care for 15-month-old Serigne at Seattle Children’s
Throughout this season’s viral surge, Seattle Children’s Urgent Care team has been hard at work caring for a high volume of patients throughout its four locations in Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way and Seattle.
The sites are open 7 days a week, including holidays, and recently expanded their reach by offering virtual urgent care services to all children across the state of Washington.
“We’re excited to be launching another way to access Seattle Children’s urgent care team, especially at this time where there’s so much demand and a need for our services,” shared Dr. Jay Santos, medical director for Urgent Care at Seattle Children’s, in an interview with KAPP News.
The Urgent Care team at the main Seattle location has also been busy with a move to a larger space within the hospital and has expanded its hours of service.
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Heather Cooper
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, symbolizing courage, kindness and good fortune. While specific celebrations vary across Asian cultures, including Vietnam where they’ll welcome the Year of the Cat, many practices emphasize family and reuniting with relatives.
The new year is also a great time to recommit to healthy habits — and try some new ones. This year, in addition to focusing on physical health, your family might want to set some goals to boost your mental and emotional wellbeing.
On the Pulse shares some helpful ideas from the latest edition of Good Growing to get you started.
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Jenni Carson
PART FIVE: From witnessing exceptional care and compassion given to children in their own lives, to receiving treatment first-hand, this weekly series features Seattle Children’s employees and the life experiences that drove them to pursue careers in healthcare.
Jesse Giordano was a pediatric patient at Seattle Children’s three decades ago and is now part of its dedicated workforce
During a family vacation in 1993 at Lake Chelan, WA, 12-year-old Jesse Giordano started experiencing severe flu-like symptoms and extreme pain in his left arm.
“After a couple days holed up in the motel, my mom took me to an area emergency room,” Giordano said. “Other than confirming I had a fever, they told me to follow up with my primary care provider.”
That Monday morning, the family did just that. Giordano was given a blood test and then went home to wait for the results.
“We got a phone call later that day or early Tuesday directing us to Seattle Children’s immediately,” he recalled. “I was not super worried, but my mom was an absolute wreck.”
The family arrived at Seattle Children’s for the appointment in an area now called the Ocean zone.
At the appointment, doctors conducted a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and found something concerning.
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Authors: Casey Egan
The new service brings care closer to home and increases access to urgent care for kids and teens across the state.
Beginning today, Seattle Children’s is offering telemedicine for urgent care services for the first time.
The new Virtual Urgent Care will expand services beyond our four in-person urgent care locations in Seattle, Federal Way, Everett and Bellevue to any eligible patient in the state of Washington.
This new service will bring care even closer to home and increase access to urgent care for kids and teens across the state.
Virtual urgent care allows patients to stay at home, or in another location of their choosing within Washington state, and use technology to see, hear and talk with a provider through a computer, tablet or other digital device.
At a time when health care organizations everywhere continue to see high patient volumes, this service will provide a new option for care for families in communities across Washington state.
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Authors: Katie Scaff
Seattle Children’s Care Network (SCCN) Integrated Behavioral Health Program helps kids receive behavioral health services from specialists embedded in their primary care clinic.
Seattle Children’s has teamed up with primary care pediatricians in the Puget Sound region to implement a new approach to address the growing youth mental health crisis.
Seattle Children’s Care Network (SCCN) and Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine launched a Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health Program in 2020 to provide children and their families with the mental and behavioral health support they need earlier and closer to home.
The innovative program aims to empower primary care teams to identify, manage and coordinate mental and behavioral health services within their community settings with the long-term goal of alleviating pressure on hospitals and specialty care practices.
“Mental health care is one of the greatest unmet needs in pediatric health, said Dr. Sheryl Morelli, chief medical officer for SCCN. “The support we received from the Seattle Children’s Guild Association’s Funding Hope Award has been instrumental in establishing the foundational components of an integrated behavioral health program across our network, including universal behavioral health screenings and brief evidence-based interventions within primary care.”
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Authors: Ashley Speller and Heather Cooper
Studies consistently show that less than half of all school-age kids get enough sleep most weeknights. While the most recognized consequence of inadequate sleep is daytime sleepiness, children commonly manifest their sleepiness as irritability, behavioral problems, learning difficulties and poor academic performance.
Some sleep disruptions are normal and are connected to age-related changes. Others are symptoms of an actual sleep disorder. Whatever the reason, sleep problems can affect the entire family and should be accurately diagnosed.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 6 to 12 get between 9 and 12 hours of sleep each night, and that teens get 8 to 10 hours. Quality sleep provides immense benefits and children who regularly get enough sleep have healthier immune systems and better overall mental health. Additionally, they have sharper memories and better behavior, which are key to success in school.
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