Authors: Ashley Speller
DJ received multidisciplinary care over several years at Seattle Children’s. He proudly displays his 4th grade inclusiveness award.
9-year-old DeAngelo “DJ” has his dreams for the future all planned out.
“DJ tells everyone that he wants to become a pediatric surgeon or a pediatric gastroenterologist one day,” explained Angela McCulloch.
“He says that he plans to go to school at the University of Washington and work at Seattle Children’s to help kids like they helped him.”
Angela is DJ’s mom, but also his biggest advocate.
DJ was born prematurely in Tacoma, Wash., at 31 weeks with a rare condition called esophageal atresia (EA), in which the esophagus does not form properly before birth, and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), an abnormal connection between the windpipe and esophagus.
A baby with EA cannot feed by mouth because there is no way for food and liquid to travel from their mouth to their stomach.
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Authors: Ashley Speller
As smoky air covers large portions of Western Washington due to of wildfires, many parents wonder what they can do to keep their kids protected.
Breathing in wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone, however children are at extra risk for negative health effects.
Infants and children under age 18, whose lungs and airways are still developing, breathe more air per pound of body weight compared to adults.
Dr. Jonathan Cogen, an attending physician in Seattle Children’s Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, spoke with KUOW’s Soundside to share key safety measures families can take to stay as healthy as possible during poor air quality conditions.
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Authors: Elizabeth Dimarco
One of the 12 overnight sleep study suites at Seattle Children’s new Sleep Center
Studies consistently show that up to 50% of children experience a sleep problem at least a few nights each week. 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.
In this Q&A, Dr. Maida Chen, director of Seattle Children’s Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, shares details on Seattle Children’s expanding Sleep Medicine Program.
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