 Knowing something is wrong with your child is terrifying for any parent, but the mystery becomes more frightening when the symptoms even puzzle the experts. In 2018, at a peak in cases of acute flaccid myelitis, also known as AFM, otherwise healthy kids experienced debilitating paralysis. Researchers of this perplexing illness braced for a surge in 2022 that never came, and now there is talk about a possible increase of AFM this year. To break down the past and prepare for the future, we are joined by two experts. Kevin Messacar, MD, and Hai Nguyen-Tran, MD, both specialize in pediatric infectious  disease  at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Messacar is an associate professor and Dr. Nguyen-Tran is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include:     What the history of AFM tells the medical community  Why it’s so tricky to diagnose and identify  How primary care providers can properly prepare      For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Will an AFM Peak Return?

Children's Hospital Colorado experts examine the latest treatment options for the most common chief complaints in pediatric medicine. We will talk about significant research and advances in pediatric medicine, the nuanced art of practicing pediatrics and everything in between.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

 Hirschsprung disease. Anorectal and colorectal malformations. These are some of the most challenging surgical problems encountered in young children. The precision of surgical technique required to achieve optimal outcomes takes many years, if not decades, to develop. Colorectal surgery has become a subspecialty in pediatric surgery, requiring close collaboration with other specialists. At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we offer this care through our International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care, and our surgical team has some of the most experience in the world.    In this episode, we are joined by Andrea Bischoff, MD, and Luis De la Torre-Mondragon, MD. They both specialize in pediatric surgery at Children’s Colorado and are associate professors of surgery and pediatrics with a specialty in colorectal surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Bischoff is also the Medical Director of the International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care here at Children’s Colorado.    Some highlights from this episode include:     The importance of pediatric colorectal programs.  A discussion of when surgical intervention is necessary.  A look at what procedures are offered at Children’s Colorado and how they work.  The role primary care providers can play as it pertains to identification, referral and care of patients who might need colorectal surgery.     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.      

The Crucial Role of Colorectal Programs

 Sleep problems can occur at any age, but when toddlers, children or young adults are the ones experiencing them, they can have a big impact on the entire family. Specifically, one  to five percent of children, from newborns to teenagers, experience obstructive sleep apnea. While the effects may be significant, many children are not diagnosed or treated due to insufficient access to testing. A team at Children’s Hospital Colorado has been preparing a recommendation on how and when to use home sleep apnea testing in kids. To explore this topic, we are joined by Antoinette Burns, DO, who specializes in pediatrics and sleep medicine at Children’s Colorado. She is also an associate professor of clinical practice, Department of Pediatrics-Pulmonary Medicine, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include:     An explanation of obstructive sleep apnea.  New modalities for sleep apnea testing.  Barriers for accessing testing and how to combat them.  Suggestions on what primary care providers should do when they think their patient might have obstructive sleep apnea.     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Significance of Sleep Studies

 In just the United States, more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Globally, that number is greater than 300,000. As difficult as those numbers may be, there is good news: Our cancer therapies continue to improve. In the 1960s, only about 5% of children survived leukemia. Today, that number is 90% or better. Many more pediatric oncology patients are now transitioning into survivors of childhood cancer and have the opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams as adults. This means primary care providers are caring for these patients in increasing numbers. What’s important to know about this group of kids? In this episode, we discuss how to best integrate survivorship care with pediatric care. The Children’s Hospital Colorado HOPE Cancer Survivorship Program is one of the longest running survivorship programs in the nation. Leading that charge is Jenna Demedis, MD, who specializes in pediatric hematology and oncology. Dr. Demedis completed her training at Children’s Colorado and is currently an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  When a patient can transition into survivorship  How to keep patient families engaged in these programs  How primary care providers can partner with survivorship programs       For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Shifting Into Survivorship

   The mouth is a fundamental part of the human body. It allows us to eat, drink, breathe, speak, smile and express ourselves. Naturally, that means oral health is connected to our broader physical health, but in the United States, medical and dental care are structurally separate. Despite their connections, the two have entirely different systems of professional training schools, insurance coverage and care networks. This is referred to as the dental divide, and it results in varied levels of access and health outcomes. The repercussions of these barriers are significant, especially for children in our most vulnerable communities. To discuss this important topic, we are joined by Patricia Braun, MD. Dr. Braun is a primary care pediatrician at Denver Health, as well as a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is the immediate past chair of the Section on Oral Health for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and her research focuses on oral health outcomes and program evaluation. She also currently directs the Rocky Mountain Network for Oral Health Integration. Some highlights from this episode include:     How to understand the dental divide  Ways this divide leads to poor oral health for children  Options for the medical community to combat these barriers  What primary care providers can look for in their visits with patients     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Will an AFM Peak Return?

Download our free app to listen on your phone