Advancing Care for Craniosynostosis |
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Cranial springs cranioplasty is the latest minimally invasive procedure to be offered at CHKD’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center. These types of techniques – now the standard of care across many surgical specialties – are helping children with craniofacial conditions receive treatment with smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Sagittal craniosynostosis is a condition in which the bones at the top of the skull fuse together too early, causing a long, narrow head shape. Left untreated, the condition can worsen the abnormal shape of the head and cause developmental delays because the brain doesn’t have the room it needs to grow.
To treat sagittal craniosynostosis, CHKD provides a minimally invasive surgery called a cranial springs cranioplasty. With this procedure, patients are able to receive treatment at a younger age and avoid an open cranial vault surgery, which requires a lengthy hospital stay.
In a two-part process, surgeons remove the fused sagittal suture bone, which runs down the middle of the head from the top of the forehead to the back of the skull. Two cranial springs are placed into the gap. Over the next several weeks, the springs expand, gently guiding the skull to a more typical shape while allowing space for the child's growing brain. After six to eight weeks of expansion and stabilization, the springs are removed in a brief outpatient surgery.
Thanks to the minimally invasive approach, patients benefit from quicker discharges home and shorter recovery times.
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| Click or tap the video above for an overview of craniosynostosis care CHKD’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center — the only ACPA-accredited pediatric program in the region — which offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
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Referral Guidelines for Specialists and Surgeons |
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As the regional referral center for pediatrics, CHKD strives to make access to our programs, specialty clinics, surgeons, and educational opportunities as efficient as possible for our healthcare colleagues. Our goal is to make it easier for clinicians to work together and deliver the best possible care and outcomes to our patients. Visit our website for key information and resources to make the referral process as seamless as possible.
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New VA Law Requires Social Platforms to Verify Age of User, Limit Use |
Virginia enacted a new law on January 1, 2026, that requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages and limits use by minors under 16 to one hour per day per platform, unless a parent provides verifiable consent to change that limit. Platforms must use reasonable age‑verification methods, treat device signals as indicators of minor status, and use age data only to provide age‑appropriate experiences. The law also prohibits reducing service quality or increasing prices because of these limits and makes clear that parental consent does not grant additional access to a child’s data or account.
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| Social Media and Our Kids' Mental Health
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In a world where social media is part of everyday life, too much screen time can take a real toll on kids’ mental health — especially when passive scrolling replaces meaningful connection or activities. Dr. Kyzwana Caves, adolescent medicine specialist at CHKD shares the latest research and ways you can help children navigate social media in a healthy, balanced way.
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Physician Education & Information |
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TWIST and Shout: Improving Outcomes for Boys with Testicular Torsion in Hampton Roads |
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Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual |
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| Presenter: Janelle Fox, MD, MS-HQSM, FACS
Chief of Pediatric Urology at CHKD
This Provider Relations CME Lunch & Learn event focuses on improving recognition, referral, and treatment of testicular torsion — a time‑critical pediatric urologic emergency where delays in care can result in permanent testicular loss. Through discussion of current evidence, regional care challenges, and practical strategies, the session highlights opportunities to streamline care pathways, increase community and provider awareness, and improve outcomes for boys and adolescents presenting with acute scrotal pain.
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Objectives:
· Introduce the high incidence of testicular torsion within Hampton Roads children.
· Describe the TWIST score and its relevance in scrotal pain triage.
· Discuss the triage process for acute scrotal pain in children, and upon arrival to CHKD.
· Update community providers on the progress of CHKD’s testicular torsion quality improvement (QI) intervention (Project Torsion) since Summer 2024.
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About the Presenter:
Dr. Janelle Fox, MD, MS‑HQSM, FACS, is a board‑certified surgeon and nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality, safety, and systems improvement. Dr. Fox brings a strong clinical background alongside expertise in quality science to address how timely, coordinated care can make a critical difference in surgical emergencies such as testicular torsion. Her presentation emphasizes actionable approaches to improving clinical pathways and patient outcomes across the continuum of care.
Credit Designation: This activity is designated for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through joint providership with Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University and CHKD.
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1st and 4th Monday of the Month | 12-1 p.m. | Brickhouse Auditorium
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Pediatric grand rounds, sponsored by the EVMS Department of Pediatrics, part of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU, are offered biweekly to faculty, community faculty, residents, medical students, and other healthcare professionals. Come and learn from local and national clinical experts. All participants receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit™ for attending.
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Strengthen Your Pediatric Mental Health Skills with REACH PPP |
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VMAP is excited to host our first in‑person REACH PPP of 2026 this April in Norfolk, VA! REACH PPP is a 3‑day, interactive training for primary care pediatricians designed to build skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating pediatric mental health conditions. The in‑person experience is followed by six months of bi‑monthly virtual learning with peers and expert faculty to support managing complex cases in everyday practice.
This training typically costs $1,900, but VMAP offers it for just a $100 registration fee, with free lodging available for eligible travelers. See website for additional details. CME credit availabe upon completion.
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Save the Date for these Upcoming CME Opportunities
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Resources for Patients and Families |
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