MUHC in the Media - August 18, 2025

Young people with chronic illnesses are at greater risk of unemployment and poverty in adulthood. Employers are sometimes reluctant to hire someone who may be absent frequently or who has physical limitations. Getting work experience early on can make all the difference. That's why the Montreal Children's Hospital has just launched its Apprenticeship Program. With Laurie Marchand, patient, her mother Josée Matteau, Mai Christine Nguyen, Occupational Therapist and Transition Consultant at the Pediatric-Adult Transition Hub, and Lori Seller, Manager of the Pediatric Respiratory and Anesthesia Services.  Global News

Nora Rhilal-Gagnon took part in the second cohort of intensive exposure therapy, a program developed by psychologist Catherine Ouellet-Courtois at the Allan Memorial Institute of the MUHC. Throughout the process, Nora was supported by therapist Annabelle Fortin, as she engaged in a series of targeted exercises designed to improve her tolerance to the triggers of her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Radio journalist Myriam Fimbry had the opportunity to follow the duo during an outing in late spring. Her report is airing on ICI Première, as part of the program TOUT TERRAIN.

Born without a pulse, Leyla had to be resuscitated for 34 minutes and then transferred to the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH), where she was placed in therapeutic hypothermia to limit the effects of oxygen deprivation on her brain. She is doing well today, a rare outcome for such a long resuscitation, says Dr. Elizabeth Hailu, a neonatologist at the MCH. Le Journal de Montréal

Morgan was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two. The disease was so aggressive that he had to undergo emergency radiation, which is rare in such a young child, explains Dr. Jitka Stankova, a pediatric oncologist at the Montreal Children's Hospital. Today, Morgan is 10 years old and doing well. CTV News

We can expect to see an increase in the circulation of respiratory viruses as children and teens are going back to school, which is why it is important to get vaccinated in the fall, notes Dr. Jesse Papenburg, pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical microbiologist at the Montreal Children's Hospital. La Presse Canadienne

A study co-led by William Foulkes at The Institute and Simon Drouin at McGill sheds new light on the most common genetic variant linked to hereditary cancer in Quebec’s French-Canadian population. The variant is associated with Lynch syndrome, a condition that greatly increases the risk of colorectal and other cancers. Their findings could result in cheaper and more effective screening methods. Le Quotidien, Le Soleil, Radio-Canada

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard formations made up of mineral salts that crystallize in the urinary tract. They can cause severe pain, blood in the urine, infections, and sometimes even more serious complications if left untreated. Dr. Émilie Trinh, a nephrologist at the MUHC, gave an interview to La Presse on the topic.

Dr. Louise Pilote, Associate Director of The Institute and a specialist in general internal medicine and cardiovascular epidemiology, comments on a survey finding that many women in Canada have difficulty assessing the severity of their symptoms. Le Soleil,  NoovoInfo, L’Actualité

It is still necessary to get vaccinated against tetanus, despite misinformation circulating on the Internet. Boosters are recommended every ten years, emphasizes Dr. Earl Rubin, Director of the Infectious Diseases Division at the Montreal Children's Hospital. AFP

Dr. Kaberi Dagupta, specialist in internal medicine and researcher at The Institute, commented on a study that suggests that babies who are exclusively breastfed during their first four to six months of life are less likely to experience early puberty and less prone to developing obesity in childhood. CBC News

Dr. Brian Ward, an infectious disease researcher at The Institute, comments on the rapid spread of measles in Canada. He emphasizes that it is almost inevitable that cases will increase in Quebec and reiterates the importance of vaccination, which is safe and highly effective. La Presse