Success Stories

We asked CommunityCARE and KIDMED providers, across the state, to take time from their busy schedules and share their success stories. These stories are testimony to early intervention and active medical treatment significantly reduces the frequency and severity of many diseases and conditions. Through the conscientious work and dedication of our CommunityCARE and KIDMED providers, many lives are positively impacted! Please cheer with us as you read the success stories relayed by these caring providers.

2006

While undergoing a routine KIDMED screening, an 11-year-old male complained of a backache. A urine sample was collected, and urinalysis indicated a positive result for blood. The Primary Care Physician referred the boy to a urologist, and an MRI was performed. The MRI revealed that the child had kidney stones. The urologist performed surgery, inserting a stent. After surgery, the boy was referred for dietary counseling and learned of foods that he could and could not have. The child is 13 years old now and free of kidney stones.

During a routine prenatal ultrasound, a cleft lip deformity was discovered in an unborn child. Thanks to the mother's Primary Care Physician, the parents were able to receive prenatal counseling before the baby was born. This was critical in the time after birth for the parents to optimally bond with their newborn. The newborn's pediatrician referred the baby to a craniofacial clinic, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, a pediatric dentist/oral surgeon, and others. Services provided included plastic surgery, social services, and speech and physical therapy. The baby girl has undergone several surgeries and now is a beautiful, thriving 9-month-old.

After a wellness visit to her CommunityCARE provider, an 11-month-old baby girl began having seizures and exhibiting developmental delays. She was referred to a neurologist, speech therapist and physical therapist. The neurologist diagnosed the child with a mild case of autism. Through much hard work by the therapists, doctors, nurses and family, she is now a happy 3-year-old who walks, giggles and talks. She is developmentally functioning at the 75th percentile of her normal age group. This is an amazing story for a child that some doctors feared would never walk or talk.

While conducting a 12-month KIDMED screening, a KIDMED provider led the baby's parent through a lead poisoning risk assessment questionnaire. It was discovered that the apartment complex the child was living in was built before 1950. A blood lead level of 28.2 ug/dL was obtained by initial testing. The reading of a repeat blood lead level test was 30.5 ug/dL. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) was contacted, and an investigation of the family's apartment complex found that there was lead in every sink and bathtub. Mom and baby have relocated, and the child's blood level has dropped to 26.0 ug/dL in one month. The child is being closely monitored by the Primary Care Physician for continued improvement.

A CommunityCARE provider examined a seemingly normal 2-year-old with complaints of constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergy, and an anal tag. The diagnosis of the anal tag prompted the Primary Care Physician to refer the child to a pediatric surgeon. After further investigation the surgeon discovered that the toddler had an anal fissure. Surgery was performed, and it is reported that the child no longer suffers with constipation. The severity of the GERD has decreased.

During a 5-year-old's KIDMED screening, it was discovered that the child was profoundly speech impaired. The parents were concerned these speech delays would affect the little girl's ability to interact socially once she began attending school. The Primary Care Physician referred her for speech therapy. During these sessions the therapist noted that she displayed some fine and gross motor deficits. The speech therapist also had some concerns about her attention span and recall. The child was referred to an occupational therapist and evaluated for attention deficient disorder. The 5-year-old girl has made a great deal of progress and should have an improved start in kindergarten.

The parent of an 8-year-old receiving his KIDMED screening stated that his school's teachers had some concerns. A vision screening that was performed during this visit demonstrated that the child had visual acuity of 20/100. A referral was made to an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed the child with severe astigmatism and myopia. The child obtained glasses and improved his work in school. The physician felt that she could relate to the child's problems, because she had similar vision problems when she was a youngster.

A parent reported to her CommunityCARE provider that her son was having a problem with anger. He did not follow directions or his parents' rules. He yelled at his siblings and was also having trouble in school. During the subsequent KIDMED screening, he failed his hearing test. He was referred to an audiologist, who discovered that he had very low frequency of hearing in his left ear and none in his right ear. The audiologist fitted him for a hearing aid, and this dramatically improved his behavior problems with an overall improvement of attitude at school and home.