One of the dreaded complications of sickle cell disease happens when sickle-shaped red blood cells cause large amounts of blood to pool in the spleen. It happened to Karson George of Canton in August 2019, when he was 9 months old. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible, allowing them to flow easily through […]
Akron Children’s helps transgender Ryace Boyer be her true self
Ryace Boyer is a 13-year-old from a small farming town outside Marietta, Ohio. Last fall, she took a huge step toward continuing her life as a transgender person, when she connected with the Center for Gender-Affirming Medicine at Akron Children’s Hospital. From an early age, it was clear to her parents that Ryace’s gender identity […]
Born clubfooted, Giabella runs like the wind
Eight-year-old Giabella Hagerman is a speedster on the soccer field and on the base paths. Nobody would guess that she learned to run while wearing a metal brace between her feet. She was born with clubfoot, a deformity in which her feet were turned inward and pointed down. Her parents, Brian and Amy Hagerman, learned […]
How to help your kids cope with divorce
There is no getting around that divorce is traumatic for children. But how parents handle a breakup has tremendous influence on children’s ability to cope with the emotional upheaval. Children fare better when parents are mindful of their behavior toward one another and their interactions with their children, said Dr. Susan Neilan, a child and […]
Siblings with blood disorder can now see their providers virtually
The coronavirus pandemic has brought changes to health care, including one in particular that has made life a little bit easier and safer for the Workinger family of Wadsworth. Three Workinger children have an inherited blood disorder. For the first time this year, the kids were able to use telehealth services to see their providers […]
Hip dysplasia in kids: best to catch it when they’re young
Hip dysplasia is fairly common in infants and most often can be corrected without surgery. But in some cases, orthopedic surgeons need to maneuver the ball of the hip into the socket, and put the child in a body cast to keep the joint aligned. Karissa Douglas, a 9-year-old from Massillon, went through the procedure […]
