Children's Hospital Los Angeles

08/25/2025

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.

08/24/2025

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.

A CHLA nutrition researcher is serving on an expert FDA panel reviewing infant formula ingredients. Here’s what he wants to change.

08/23/2025

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.

A little back-to-school anxiety is completely normal. A clinical psychologist shares tips for helping your child feel supported and prepared for the new school year.

08/22/2025

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. https://bit.ly/4oNp6BE

08/21/2025

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. https://bit.ly/45agLPA

08/19/2025

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!

08/15/2025

☀️ 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: https://bit.ly/4cvz8ls.

08/12/2025

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.

Unlike most cancers, retinoblastoma can’t be biopsied since taking a sample could cause the cancer cells to spread. But there was hope—a new test pioneered by CHLA's Dr. Jesse Berry called liquid biopsy where, using a tiny drop of fluid from the eye, clinicians can know definitively whether a child has retinoblastoma. There was just one problem: Until the liquid biopsy was validated in a certified lab, it could not be used clinically.

That’s when Isabel’s parents, Victoria and Thomas, stepped in to help. With a generous gift from the Danhakl Family Foundation, of which they are both trustees, Dr. Berry’s lab was able to collaborate with CHLA’s Center for Personalized Medicine in late 2022. This led to the creation of a validated clinical test and new platform called LBSeq4Kids, which sequences DNA using a pea-size amount of aqueous humor and guides treatment for children with retinoblastoma.

Read more: https://www.chla.org/blog/hospital-news/familys-vision-future

08/11/2025

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 Angel City Sports, 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: https://bit.ly/45pf4Oz.

08/10/2025

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.

Leaders of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles explain the benefits of gastric sleeve surgery for youth with obesity.

08/08/2025

CHLA orthopedic physician Dr. Jonathan Santana identifies the signs of a concussion and explains how to best care for a child with this injury.

CHLA orthopedic physician Jonathan Santana, DO, discusses the signs that a child has sustained a concussion and explains how best to respond and provide care.

08/07/2025

When your baby shows discomfort after breastfeeding, eliminating foods from your diet is rarely the answer. CHLA's Dr. Patricia Campbell shares what parents should know.

A pediatrician and lactation consultant shares breastfeeding nutrition tips, including when to eliminate foods from your diet and what foods are best to eat.