Congratulations to Maya Merhige! 🎉 Her 21.4-mile swim from Ireland to Scotland wasn't just an athletic achievement: It was a tribute to everyone affected by cancer. "Whether it’s for a patient, a doctor, a family member, or a friend, I swim for them all," she says. https://ucsfh.org/4w7FXCO

If sunscreen turns into a battle because it stings, the formula, not the SPF, could be the culprit. “Not all sunscreens are formulated the same,” UCSF's Dr. Sungat Grewal says. “Two products with the same SPF can feel very different on the skin.” https://ucsfh.org/4pihat5

Happy #NursesWeek to all the nurses who care for our pediatric patients with exceptional skill and compassion every day of the year!

Kids who move less & spend more time on screens at ages 11–12 are more likely to become overweight by their early teens, a study of 5,000+ adolescents finds. High screen time and low physical activity "should be addressed simultaneously," Dr. @jasonmnagata.bsky.social says. https://ucsfh.org/3QzR87g

👏 Happy #DoctorsDay to all the exceptional physicians who care for children every day of the year! ❤️

15% of 5-year-olds & 10% of 6-year-olds experience bed-wetting. While it often becomes less common as kids get older, caregivers should look into possible physical causes if wetness is ongoing or accompanied by UTIs. Learn more about diagnoses and treatment here: https://ucsfh.org/49RUGHO

Please congratulate Nancy! She rang our end-of-treatment bell surrounded by her care team and family, after multiple rounds of chemo for acute myeloid leukemia. After four months in and out of our Oakland hospital receiving treatment, she’s heading home to Humboldt County!

Jonah is doing great after three heart surgeries at our hospital — please congratulate his family! He'll need more heart and abdominal surgeries in the future, but for now, he is thriving. “He is so resilient and just has a smile that lights up the room,” his mom, Angel, says.

Happy holidays from everyone at our hospitals! ☃️🎁🎄

Thank you for visiting us and bringing joy to our patients, Santa Claus! 🎅❤️🎁

Some babies born premature can develop apnea, which periodically stops breathing for more than 15 to 20 seconds at a time and sometimes is associated with slowing of the heart rate. Fortunately, apnea is treatable. Learn more here: https://ucsfh.org/3UTn4lQ

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from all the little turkeys at our hospitals! 🦃

Twins Zazil and Alaia graduated from their baby helmets — please congratulate them! 🎉 🎓 They're among the first group of patients to graduate from our new pediatric orthotics and prosthetics clinic at Parnassus, and both toddlers are thrilled to go helmet-free!

Did you know that even mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to speak & understand language? Early detection allows parents, teachers & doctors to better assist with development and corrective options. Learn more about diagnosis & where to get treatment: https://ucsfh.org/46GokQ6

Multiple sclerosis is most commonly diagnosed in young adults, but kids can be affected, too. We offer early diagnosis and specialized care for pediatric MS, helping young patients manage symptoms like fatigue, vision issues and balance difficulties. Learn more: https://ucsfh.org/3JWlygK

It was such a treat to welcome 3x World Series Champion with the @sfgiants.com, Buster Posey, and his wife, Kristen, who brought smiles and joy to our young patients! Buster signed hats and memorabilia, and the Poseys came with Giants gift bags to share. 🧡⚾

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious condition that occurs when a child's bone marrow fails to produce enough of the stem cells that give rise to the three types of blood cells. Learn more about diagnosis, treatment and where to get care: ucsfh.org/4mm9nZ2

Apnea is a condition in which a baby periodically stops breathing for more than 15 to 20 seconds. "Central apnea" can affect some premature infants because their brains aren’t yet programmed to sustain nonstop breathing. Learn more: ucsfh.org/3UTn4lQ

Farewell & happy trails to Michael Towne, who retired after more than 20 years as our manager of Child Life Services in San Francisco (and 24+ years at UCSF)! Michael is training to become an end-of-life doula so he can support patients in their final days during his retirement!

Thank you for visiting us, therapy dog, Babo, and his person, Cindy! Babo loves to roll over, shake, turn, sit up & play dead. He can also do a funny crawl when he meets a new friend! Thank you for bringing joy to staff, kids & parents at our hospital! 🐾 💕

Our Wellness Center for Youth w/ Chronic Conditions serves kids w/ longstanding illness. "They have a lot of common needs... that we aren’t always so well equipped to help them w/ in our current health care system," Dr. Emily von Scheven tells @kcbsradio.bsky.social. ucsfh.org/3GZyZL8

Did you know that each year in the U.S. about 3,000 kids experience a #stroke? Dr. Christine Fox notes that most parents are unaware strokes can happen in kids. She discusses symptoms, risk factors and why quick diagnoses and treatment are crucial. ucsfh.org/42TPorR

We unveiled a new, state-of-the-art MRI machine at our Oakland hospital! Located on the second floor next to pre-op and recovery, this upgrade will bring faster, more efficient care—and a better overall experience—to our patients!

Please cheer on Audrey — she’s doing great after multiple sinus surgeries, a meningitis infection & more than 2 weeks in our Oakland hospital! Two weeks after heading home, she tried out for her school’s varsity volleyball team & made it! Way to go, Audrey!

Excessive screen time in preteens is linked to the development of bipolar or mania two years later, a UCSF study finds. Parents can help by setting a good example: It’s “the biggest predictor of adolescent screen use,” Dr. @jasonmnagata.bsky.social says. ucsfh.org/4c5e1pL

To ensure a safe recovery for children experiencing concussion, our experts created a Pediatric Concussion Tip Sheet for clinicians on diagnosis, management & return-to-activity protocols. Learn more: ucsfh.org/4hypO14

Friends & colleagues at UCSF mourn the death of Dr. Kathryn Rouine-Rapp. Dr. KRR combined humanity & science w/ extraordinary hard work & was celebrated nationally her for contributions to the care of children undergoing heart surgery. ucsfh.org/4bwxq2A

A tic is a sudden repetitive movement or sound a person doesn’t intend to make. Controlling a tic can be difficult – like trying to suppress a hiccup or sneeze. If a tic affects your child’s quality of life, treatment is available. Learn more: ucsfh.org/3F80p0G

Our team provides expert care for children w/ ear, nose, throat & related conditions. Helping kids & families during critical times in development has “significant impacts on overall quality of life," Dr. Kristina Rosbe says. ucsfh.org/4h8LX5E

❤️ Congrats to our Pediatric Heart Failure & Transplant team for receiving a Center of Excellence designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services! This recognition will help us provide excellent care to more children with heart failure in the Bay Area and beyond! ❤️ ucsfh.org/3WPtL9R