The Unrecognized Warzone: Addressing PTSD in NICU Parents

It is well known that returning soldiers often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by flashbacks to a trauma, hyperalertness, avoidance of situations that trigger upsetting memories, and negative emotions such as guilt or shame. However, fewer people know that parents commonly experience similar symptoms after their babies stay in the neonatal intensive...

2Cell transplantation is a promising new avenue for treating cerebral palsy (CP). Previous research has shown that stem cell therapy can help children with cerebral palsy; a study published this month indicates that treatment with macrophages may also be effective.  Essentially, macrophages are cells that can repair damaged brain tissue and blood vessels, thereby enhancing...

A meta-analysis published in the 2018 edition of Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment suggests that rhythmic auditory cueing may be a valuable technique to improve gait in individuals with cerebral palsy (1). Many people with cerebral palsy walk with what is known as “scissor gait,” a mobility pattern characterized by leg rigidity and an inward turn...

People with cerebral palsy and other conditions that affect motor control often struggle to use traditional dining utensils and dishware. Spastic reflexes, muscle weakness, and limited range of motion can make it difficult to eat and drink without spilling. Some people with motor impairments require assistance from others at mealtimes. Adaptive eating utensils and dishware...

What is Staphylococcal Bacteria? Staphylococcus (Staph) is the name for a group of common bacteria that, when it becomes infectious, can lead to serious disease. Healthy adults may carry around Staph bacteria in their nose or on their skin – in these areas, the bacteria is not harmful. However, if Staph bacteria gets into a...

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-sw6sd6′ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”] Advanced Maternal Age The phrase “maternal age” refers to how old a woman is when she gives birth. In recent decades, many developed countries have seen an increase in the average maternal age. There are many valid reasons to postpone having children, and many women...

Cerebral palsy is a diagnosis that varies in type and severity of neurodevelopmental outcomes. People with cerebral palsy have impaired motor function, and in some cases also have cognitive disabilities. Cerebral palsy can be caused by environmental and/or genetic factors. Environmental causes of cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy can often be attributed to something that goes...

In 1963, a group of parents met at a Chicago, Illinois conference called “Exploration into the Problems of the Perceptually Handicapped Child.” This was before the term “learning disabilities” had been incorporated into common lexicon. It had been used in the title of a paper by Dr. Samuel Kirk, who presented at this conference, and...