Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pediatric Services

Norton Children’s collaborates with patients’ providers for high-risk pregnancy care

If a congenital heart condition is expected for a high-risk pregnancy, referring providers still can  retain their patients through delivery by collaborating with Norton Children and Norton Healthcare. We use an integrated approach for collaborative care among obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) and fetal cardiology specialties. Referring providers will remain the primary contact for the patient,…

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Second opinion process for fetal cardiology patients

We know it’s a stressful time for parents when they learn their child will be born with a congenital heart condition, and it is normal for patients to want to seek a second opinion. Other providers may encourage a second opinion, and we welcome patients seeking second opinions at Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with…

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Adult Services, Orthopedics

Anterior vs. posterior hip replacement approaches

Patients who need a hip replacement often ask about anterior versus posterior hip replacement approaches. Both approaches work well over the long term, but the anterior approach has the advantage of a speedier recovery, according to Kevin J. Himschoot, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and reconstructive surgery specialist with Norton Orthopedic Institute. Patients who have had a…

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Adult Services, Neuroscience

Long-term multiple sclerosis treatment: Understanding prognosis, effects and therapies

Early treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) reduces the number and severity of flare-ups, delays disease progression and is associated with decreased long-term disability from neurological deficits compared with MS patients who did not begin treatment early. “Getting and staying on disease-modifying therapy is important, even when no symptoms are present, because the disease…

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Endocrinology, Pediatric Services

Timely diagnosis, effective treatment and follow-up are keys to managing congenital hypothyroidism

Successful management of congenital hypothyroidism requires timely confirmation of the diagnosis, accurate interpretation of thyroid function testing, effective treatment and consistent follow-up. “Severe intellectual impairment typically does not occur in patients who receive the diagnosis and are treated early and adequately,” said Kupper A. Wintergerst, M.D., chief, pediatric endocrinology and director of the Wendy Novak…

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Oncology/Hematology, Pediatric Services

When to refer a pediatric anemia patient

Infants and children can be prone to anemia for a variety of reasons throughout their first years of life and adolescence. Anemia can be caused by diet, blood loss or other health conditions. Signs and symptoms may include pallor, jaundice, scleral icterus, exercise and/or feeding intolerance and general fatigue. Anemia can be detected during a…

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Medical Group, Pediatric Services

June 2023 Norton Children’s Medical Group New Providers

Laura L Voegele, M.D. Pediatrics Kayla N Brenzel, APRN ­ Pediatric Emergency Medicine ASara B Cochran, APRN ­ Pediatric Neurology Soraya A Morris, APRN ­ Pediatric Emergency Medicine Amy L Watson-Reese, APRN Neonatology Laura A Zeller, APRN Pediatrics

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Cardiovascular, Pediatric Services

Physical uncovers potentially deadly aortic aneurysm in Indiana teen

Dominick Smith spent the first week of summer break at Norton Children’s Hospital. While it wasn’t the ideal way to wrap up the school year, the junior from Petersburg, Indiana, was grateful. On the last day of school, a doctor discovered Dominick had an aortic aneurysm with aortic dissection — a potentially fatal time bomb…

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Adult Services, Diabetes, Obstetrics

Gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria and management

When considering gestational diabetes diagnosis criteria, carbohydrate intolerance with onset or recognition during pregnancy after 20 weeks is foremost. Gestational diabetes accounts for about 6 in 7 cases of diabetes in pregnancy. Risk factors are similar to nongestational diabetes: obesity, advanced maternal age, hypertension, family history of diabetes, nonwhite ethnicity and prior macrosomic infant. Diagnosing…

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Adult Services, Neuro-Oncology, Research

Glioblastoma immunotherapeutic SurVaxM studied at Norton Healthcare Brain Tumor Center

Researchers at the Norton Healthcare Brain Tumor Center are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether a promising new immunotherapy drug, SurVaxM, improves survivability of glioblastoma. SurVaxM targets survivin, a protein in 95% of glioblastomas and many other cancers. The immunotherapeutic is designed to trigger the patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells with survivin….

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Adult Services, Oncology/Hematology

Gastric cancer red flags

The prognosis for gastric cancer is closely tied to the stage of the diagnosis. When found early, gastric cancer has a better survival rate. “Given the difference early diagnosis can make, it’s important that clinicians are aware of the red flags for gastric cancer,” said Jaspreet S. Grewal, M.D., Ph.D., a gastrointestinal oncologist at Norton…

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Adult Services, Neuroscience

Adding some separation from the superior cerebellar artery relieves trigeminal neuralgia

The patient A 67-year-old woman presented to clinic with a four-year history of right-sided facial pain. After the onset of her trouble, the pain went into remission for six months. It then recurred, and she was prescribed carbamazepine. This led to significant pain relief but caused adverse changes to her mood and balance. She was…

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