Pediatric patients, ages 13 to 18 years, with severe obesity should have greater access to bariatric surgery, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement.

For pediatricians, that means seeking out high-quality multidisciplinary centers for patients who meet criteria; providing timely referrals; and facilitating care before and after surgery for adolescents with severe obesity, defined as a BMI ≥35 or ≥120% of the 95th percentile for age and sex, whichever is lower.

The policy statement, and a supporting technical report, were simultaneously published in Pediatrics.

Today's guest is Thomas Inge, MD, discussing the new AAP policy statement on bariatric surgery. Dr. Inge is a Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Associate Surgeon in Chief, Director of Pediatric Surgery and the Director of the Center for Bariatric Surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado.

This episode of Charting Pediatrics Podcast was recorded live from the 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics NCE in New Orleans.

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