
Images courtesy of Victoria Ekstrand
My name is Victoria Ekstrand, and I’m a 23-year-old pediatric and women’s services registered nurse. I was diagnosed with type 1, or juvenile, diabetes (T1D) in the summer of 1998 at 3 years old, forever changing the lives of my family. T1D is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes beta cell destruction in the pancreas. These cells are responsible for producing the hormone insulin, which allows glucose from food to be converted into energy or stored for future use. T1D is not preventable. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle choices. It’s also deadly if left...

Image courtesy of Allen Kramer
Pediatric plastic surgery is a surgical subspecialty focused on the reconstructive and aesthetic improvement of a child’s appearance, with the goal of restoring functionality and improving quality of life for those with anomalies, whether they be congenital or acquired from an illness or traumatic event.
Types of pediatric plastic surgery
Reconstructive surgery is utilized to correct an anatomical difference in order to optimize functionality. Aesthetic surgery is performed for restoration of the form and appearance. In most...

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For many teenagers, becoming a driver is a very special milestone. But for parents, this newfound independence can lead to lots of anxiety and concern, especially when an adolescent is getting back into the driver’s seat after sustaining a concussion. In today’s blog, we’re discussing how concussions can affect driving and what steps you can take as a parent to ensure your child is ready to navigate the road safely again.
Operating a...

Images courtesy of Shalonda Alexander
I will never forget the day I heard the words, “tuberous sclerosis complex.” I felt like it was the end of the world, but it was really just the beginning of a new kind of adventure for our family.
We were three months into trying to figure out what was “wrong” with our precious baby girl, Alana. She started having seizures in January 2014, and they were undoubtedly from an unknown cause.
I called Texas Children’s Hospital after a recommendation from a coworker who brings his daughter to the Blue Bird Circle Clinic at...

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When it comes to eye care, titles can be confusing as you try to understand your providers.
While both optometrists and ophthalmologists are commonly referred to as “eye doctors,” both sets of professionals have different expertise and often work together to ensure your child’s eye care needs are met.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who leads the eye care team and treats eye conditions and diseases both medically and...