Children's Hospital LA

Born at 24 weeks and weighing barely over a pound, Cooper suffered from a severe case of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a form of chronic lung disease that occurs in premature babies. Two NICUs were unable to heal him, and in desperation, his parents took him to CHLA’s Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit where ECMO helped save his life. #NICUAwarenessMonth Read his story: t.co/2rRTUIsb07

Better scans mean better answers. CHLA researchers, led by Eamon Doyle, PhD, have developed new ways to improve MRI images, making it easier detect brain blood flow issues that signal brain injuries and disease. bit.ly/3UQTeyE

What are the newest advances in care for pediatric brain tumors? Dr. Ashley Margol and Dr. Mark Krieger co-lead CHLA’s Brain Tumor Center, one of the largest such programs for kids in the country. They share the latest developments, newest clinical trials—and why individualized care is critical. #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth bit.ly/3Uxba0I

When medication isn’t enough, neuromodulation can be a powerful option for kids with drug-resistant epilepsy. Dr. Latanya Agurs from CHLA’s nationally ranked Neurological Institute explains two of the most common devices: 🔹 VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator): Placed in the chest, VNS sends regular pulses to the brain throughout the day to help disrupt seizures. It’s less invasive and often chosen by families who want to avoid brain surgery. 🔹 RNS (Responsive Neurostimulator): Implanted in the skull with electrodes that monitor brain activity, RNS delivers treatment only when it detects a seizure starting. It’s highly personalized but requires surgery to pinpoint seizure origins. Both options can significantly reduce seizures and improve quality of life, helping kids gain seizure-free days they may have never had before. Learn more: bit.ly/3Ck0ddl.

A rare brain tumor turned Sergio and Andy's world upside down. CHLA’s Brain Tumor Center helped them get back to life. 💛 #PediatricCancerAwarenessMonth Read their story: bit.ly/4mKHY2N

The VMD4kids (Vascular and Mosaic Diseases for Kids) gene test developed by CHLA researchers offers children with rare genetic growth disorders a speedier path to timely diagnosis and treatment. bit.ly/4lEpJee

Teens at CHLA got to enjoy a fun night in our newly renovated Teen Lounge, featuring upgraded lounge chairs and gaming shelves! From a glam station and caricature artist to jewelry-making and more, patients and families came together for a night full of creativity, laughter, and connection.

Did you know that many “gentle” infant formulas contain added sugars like corn syrup? Dr. Michael Goran, a renowned childhood obesity researcher at CHLA, is part of the FDA’s new working group on infant formula. He shares what parents and physicians should know—and the changes he wants the FDA to make. bit.ly/45NjGOs

Is your household buzzing with back-to-school jitters? A bit of anxiety as kids head back to school is common and normal at any age—even if your child loves school. bit.ly/4fPBpJD

CHLA is now one of only a few centers nationwide to offer a stress cardiac MRI test for kids. Cardiac MRI expert Dr. John Wood explains how this advanced test can help determine if kids with coronary anomalies need surgery or can safely play sports. bit.ly/4oNp6BE

In this Q&A, Dr. Vijay Vishwanath of CHLA’s Neurological Institute explains the different types of tics, clears up common myths, and outlines the most effective, evidence-based treatments. From developmental-behavioral pediatrics to psychiatry, he emphasizes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. bit.ly/45agLPA

CHLA is home to one of the country’s busiest and most experienced pediatric gait labs in the country. The team evaluates more than 400 children each year, using an advanced, 10-camera motion-capture system to obtain 3D images of how a child walks and moves. bit.ly/401HgoK

17-year-old Noah got the news that nobody wants to hear—he had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Noah's mom Olivia started documenting their journey together for her social media, capturing their time in isolation where they weren't able to have visitors due to infection concerns. But Noah's riding friends and family didn't let that stop them from visiting and bringing Noah joy from afar. And thanks to the comprehensive care he received from the CHLA Cancer and Blood Institute’s Dr. Thomas Hofstra and Dr. Babak Moghimi, Noah was able to move forward with a blood donor transplant from a special donor, his mom, and he's now cancer-free!

We usually think about the mental health of older teens and adults. But what does mental health mean for babies? #InfantMentalHealthAwarenessWeek chla.org/blog/advice-ex…

☀️ Summer fun starts with safety! Before your kids dive in, make sure you know these essential pool safety tips. 1️⃣ Remember the ABCs: A = Adult supervision at all times B = Barriers such as gates, locks and alarms C = Classes, including swim lessons for kids and CPR training for adults 2️⃣ Choose life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure proper protection. 3️⃣ Assign a “Water Watcher” whose only responsibility is to keep eyes on the pool with no distractions and no alcohol. Learn more safety resources from CHLA's Injury Prevention Team: bit.ly/4cvz8ls.

With the help of CHLA's Dr. Thomas Keens, we’ve sifted out the key points from the FDA and CPSC advisories to ensure you understand the risks posed by infant sleep positioners and why you should avoid them. bit.ly/4m2QoCi

What causes high-risk neuroblastoma to be more aggressive and resistant to treatment? A groundbreaking CHLA study, led by Dr. JinSeok Park and published in Advanced Materials, has discovered a key culprit: the physical shape and structure of the extracellular matrix. See what the team found: bit.ly/4f5Iw0o.

3-year-old Isabel Danhakl has a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. It typically affects children younger than 5 and, even after successfully undergoing chemotherapy, patients never officially go into remission and are monitored well into adulthood. Thanks to a generous gift from the Danhakl Family Foundation and CHLA ocular oncologist and ophthalmologist Dr. Jesse Berry, patients with this type of cancer have a new hope. chla.org/blog/hospital-…

Back to school means back to sports. For kids like Dexter, adaptive sports are more than just a game. 🏀 Dexter was born with microcephaly, which delayed his motor skills and speech. But when he found wheelchair basketball through CHLA’s Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center and @angelcitysports, everything changed. "He really owns it out there. He’s got this swagger," says his mom. "You can see his confidence grow with every shot." Angel City Sports provides year-round adaptive sports programs to help individuals with ability differences build strength, confidence, and community. With support from providers like Dr. Kay and programs like these, children discover their strengths and feel truly included. “Events like this remind us that ability comes in many forms," says Dr. Kay. "When kids see what they can do—not what they can’t—it changes everything." Learn about our nationally ranked Orthopedic Center: bit.ly/45pf4Oz.

Bariatric surgery is a lifeline for youth with severe obesity, dramatically improving overall health and quality of life. As one of the largest pediatric centers in the country for this type of care, doctors leading the program see these changes firsthand—in fact, they recently completed their 100th procedure. bit.ly/40G2OaU