Pregnancy isn’t always planned. But when you have diabetes, planning for your newest addition to the family is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Getting your diabetes under control before you become pregnant reduces risks for both you and your baby. “High blood sugar can cause harm to your developing baby during those first […]
Archives for January 2026
New childhood vaccine schedule: What parents need to know
Dr. Michael Bigham, pediatric ICU physician, parent and chief quality officer at Akron Children’s, answers common questions about recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) childhood vaccine schedule. What changed in the CDC childhood vaccine schedule? The CDC recently updated its childhood vaccine schedule. While all 17 vaccines remain available, the number of […]
Tips to make a good night’s sleep a priority
If your child is tired or cranky during the day, sleep issues may be the culprit. Kacey Greening, Akron Children’s pediatric psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist, offers some strategies to set your child up for sleep success. The first thing to do is look for signs that your child isn’t getting enough sleep. “Your […]
Shockwave therapy offers new hope for patients with chronic pain and sports injuries
For patients sidelined by stubborn tendon or muscle pain, Akron Children’s now offers a promising new path to relief. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), commonly known as shockwave therapy, is now available through Dr. Derrick Eddy, director of Sports Medicine. “ESWT is a noninvasive treatment that uses sound waves to help the body heal itself,” explained […]
Dr. Starla Martinez reflects on 25 years at Akron Children’s
Dr. Starla Martinez, pediatric pulmonologist and division director of the Robert T. Stone, MD, Respiratory Center, joined the team at Akron Children’s in July 2000. In her 25 years at the hospital, she’s held different positions, and a lot has changed. But what initially drew her here – the mission and heart of the hospital […]
Six ways to plan for pregnancy when you have a preexisting condition
Pregnancy can be a very exciting time in your life. It’s also a time to make your health top priority. It’s important to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy — especially if you have a preexisting condition like high blood pressure. Making sure you’re the healthiest as possible before you become pregnant reduces risks […]
