Orthopedics, Pediatric Services, Spine

Myelomeningocele and severe kyphosis: Multidisciplinary team achieves closure in a high-risk neonate

The patient A neonate was born with a prenatally diagnosed myelomeningocele, the most severe type of spina bifida, and severe associated myelokyphosis. Due to the extent of the bony deformity, prenatal surgery was deemed too high risk. At birth, the patient presented with a large open neural tube defect with exposed spinal cord and abnormal…

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Neuroscience, Pediatric Services

After Two Failed ASMs, It’s Time to Refer: Rethinking Timing of Epilepsy Surgery Evaluation in Children

Epilepsy surgery cures roughly 60% to 80% of children with focal, drug-resistant epilepsy, yet it is still commonly positioned as a treatment of last resort. That misconception, according to Ahmad Marashly, M.D., pediatric epileptologist and director of pediatric epilepsy at Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, can delay referrals for…

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Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services, Research, Weight Management

Emerging Evidence Links Ultraprocessed Foods to Behavioral Outcomes in preschool children

What your patients eat may shape who they become A landmark study published in JAMA Network Open is giving pediatric providers new clinical ammunition for conversations about early childhood nutrition — and the findings go well beyond waistlines. Studies on the link between processed food and behavior have been around for a while and evaluate…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Meet Felix W. Tsai, M.D.: Expanding Pediatric Cardiothoracic Expertise at Norton Children’s Heart Institute

Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is pleased to announce that Felix W. Tsai, M.D., MBA, has joined the pediatric cardiothoracic surgery team. Dr. Tsai’s arrival expands our surgical team to three dedicated pediatric heart surgeons, increasing access and capacity while ensuring continuity of care for the complex pediatric cardiac…

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News, Pediatric Services, Spine

Introducing Norton Children’s Leatherman Spine, offering specialized spine care for kids

Families in Kentucky and Indiana seeking specialized spine care for their children now have a centralized location and expertise close to home. Norton Children’s and Norton Leatherman Spine have established Norton Children’s Leatherman Spine, a dedicated practice serving children with spine disorders at two Louisville locations: downtown on Gray Street and in the East End…

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Pediatric Services, Spine

Back pain in adolescents is rising: Causes, evaluation and when to refer

Back pain among adolescents has become increasingly common in pediatrics, particularly in primary care. Once relatively rare, it now affects an estimated 28% to 48% of school-age children, with higher rates among adolescents and athletes. “Adolescent back pain is now common and often multifactorial, with posture-related pain now representing a significant proportion of cases,” said Kent…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

A guide to cardiac red flags during sports physicals

Sports preparticipation exams are critical opportunities to identify young athletes at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading cause of death in young athletes during sports. While sudden cardiac arrest in children is less common than in adults (3 to 8 per 100,000, compared with 52 per 100,000), the stakes remain high when…

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