5 Tips to Prevent Birth Defects

Healthy behaviors before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects  Stephanie J. Williams, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN with Inova Obstetrics and Gynecology in Shirlington. She delivers babies at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Today, March 3, marks World Birth Defects Day. If you plan to expand your family any time soon, now is the right…

Read More

7 Facts All Parents Should Know About Ear Infections

February is Kids Ear, Nose and Throat Health Month. Learn what to expect the next time your little one experiences ear pain.   “Ow, my ear hurts!” Parents of young children have probably heard this refrain more times than they can count. Those with infants or toddlers have likely stayed awake many a late night…

Read More

Developmental Milestones: How to Help Your Baby Grow and Develop

Kacie Demetros, MS OTR/L CEIM, is a pediatric occupational therapist at the Inova Loudoun Hospital Outpatient Specialty Rehabilitation Center. She is a member of the rehabilitation team for the hospital’s NICU Follow-Up Clinic. Rolling over. Grasping a toy. Sitting up without help. Babies experience amazing developmental milestones in their first year, each at their own…

Read More

Is Your Little One Coughing? It Could Be Bronchiolitis

mom comforting crying baby

Dr. Adam Bullock is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Inova Children’s Hospital. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. Wintertime in our Northern Virginia brings lots of cases of irritating coughs in young children to the emergency room. One of the most common causes is a condition called bronchiolitis. In fact,…

Read More

Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries in Kids

Clifton Page, MD, is board-certified in family and sports medicine and a member of the Inova Sports Medicine team. He has a special interest in non-surgical treatment of sports injuries, regenerative medicine and sports injury prevention. It’s always better to prevent sports injuries than to treat them after the fact. To help protect youth athletes,…

Read More

Infant Safety: Car Seats, Puffy Coats and Other Tips

5 important ways to protect your newborn’s safety Major baby-proofing typically kicks into high gear just before a little one becomes mobile and is starting to show signs that they may be able to roll off an elevated surface. Prior to this point, keeping baby safe mostly revolves around the infant’s tiny world, which is…

Read More

Concussion & Youth Sports: New Research Gives Clues for Keeping Athletes Safe

Melissa Womble, PhD, is a fellowship-trained neuropsychologist specializing in sport concussion management. She is director of the Inova Sports Medicine Comprehensive Concussion Program. In the last several years, the science of concussions has come a long way. We’ve discovered a lot about how to recognize, diagnose and manage these serious injuries — but of course,…

Read More