Cannabis use in children and adolescents is a growing concern as more young people are regularly using the substance and as more states legalize it. What happens when parents, caregivers, healthcare providers or even the teens themselves decide it’s time to stop?  In this episode, we will explore important tactics primary care providers can utilize to help families navigate the medical, psychological and social aspects of cannabis use.

For this episode, we are joined by two experts. Sam Wang, MD, specializes in toxicology and emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Paula Riggs, MD, is a Professor of Psychiatry and is nationally known for her research in adolescents with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Marijuana use and its potency 
• How to get a child into treatment 
• How primary care providers can build trust with patients who may not realize they have an addiction 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

As the political climate shifts in 2025, there are important discussions around Medicaid, mental health and executive orders that will impact our kids. From Medicaid eligibility changes to funding cuts, to benefit adjustments, the political forces shaping healthcare may have profound effects on both our patients and providers. In this episode, we examine the current state of affairs and answer questions we’ve heard from clinicians in our communities.

Joining us for this discussion is Zach Zaslow. He is the Vice President of Advocacy and Community Health at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an expert on health policy.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• An overview of the Medicaid program and the roles of state and federal governments 
• How federal funding cuts could impact pediatric healthcare 
• The role of advocacy and how pediatricians can be a voice for the children they serve 
• The focus on mental health and the importance of this current crisis 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Down Syndrome is a condition defined by an extra chromosome but beyond the genetics lies a rich, complex story of individuals, families and communities who continue to challenge misconceptions and pave the way for greater understanding and inclusion. In this episode, we’ll explore the latest treatments and research, the relationship between specialist and provider and all the opportunities that come with strong partnerships.

Nicole Baumer, MD, the new Director of the Anna and John J. SIE Center for Down Syndrome, joins us for this episode. As a child neurologist, she specializes in neurodevelopmental disabilities and is a visiting professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine within the Department of Pediatrics. She is also the Global Endowed Chair for Down Syndrome.

Some resources mentioned in this episode include: 

• Global Down Syndrome Foundation 
• National Down Syndrome Congress
• National Down Syndrome Society 
• American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines 
• Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group 

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Why specialized programs for kids with Down syndrome can drastically change their outcomes 
• The evolution of Down syndrome research and how it has informed care for patients 
• How specialized care is coordinated with primary care providers 
• Dr. Baumer’s personal connection to Down syndrome 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

A highly contagious virus, once thought to be nearly eradicated, has made a comeback. Measles is affecting even our youngest patients in communities around the country and putting vulnerable populations at risk. Our primary care providers are on the frontlines of this resurgence. It’s crucial they feel prepared to vaccinate patients, educate families and respond effectively.

To discuss the current state of measles, understand its return and discover how we can address it, we are joined by two experts, Sam Dominguez, MD, and Jessica Cataldi, MD. Dr. Dominguez is the Medical Director for the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Drs. Dominguez and Cataldi both specialize in infectious disease and teach at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

This episode was recorded at the end of March 2025, and the first case of measles was reported in Colorado on March 31, 2025. 

Some highlights from this episode include:

• A discussion on the current outbreak of measles, and its impact on our global community
• Steps primary care providers can take to identify and manage suspected cases
• The role of vaccination and how primary care providers can help vaccinate more members of the community
• Opportunities to help patients after exposure

Some resources mentioned in the episode include:

• CDC measles guidance
• American Academy of Pediatrics measles guidance
• Children's Hospital Colorado resources;
  • Contagious Comments
  • Firstline: Measles, Evaluating Risk in Patients Presenting with Fever and Rash
  • Firstline: Measles Vaccination and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
  • Continuing education - Spotting Measles Before it Spreads
  • Continuing education - Measles: Connecting the Dots 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

Most people believe that strokes only affect adults, but children can experience them too. Although rare, strokes in kids can lead to catastrophic outcomes if not treated properly. Seizure or migraines are often misdiagnosed in this population, making it crucial to have proper protocols in place. While many never think of stroke as something that can impact kids, it’s still in the top 10 causes of death in children. 

To understand the scope of pediatric stroke and the strides being made to prevent and treat it, we are joined by two experts. Timothy Bernard, MD, is the Director of Education for the section of Child Neurology, and the Director of the Childhood Stroke Program here at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Ethan Rosenberg, MD, is the Director of Inpatient Childhood Stroke and Neurocritical Care. He is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology. 

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Understanding diagnosis in this population 
• What causes stroke in kids 
• Why there are delays in recognizing stroke symptoms in younger children 
• The role of the primary care provider with stroke protocol  

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

It’s been a busy year for influenza cases, but it’s not what we’ve seen in our clinics and hospitals that has infectious disease experts most worried. They are concerned about avian flu, otherwise known as the H5N1 subtype of influenza A. Specifically, they are worried about stress what happens if H5N1 jumps to humans and potentially spreads. What is that risk for people and what challenges lie ahead? In this episode, we’ll explore our current standing and whether we are approaching public health crisis. From virology to epidemiology to infection control strategies, we’ll break down the science, the current data and practical considerations for clinicians on the front lines.

To help us understand this ever-evolving virus and its threat, we are joined by two incredible infectious disease experts, Samuel Dominguez, MD, and Suchitra Rao, MD. They both specialize in infectious disease at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Dominguez is the Medical Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. Dr. Dominguez is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Dr. Rao is an associate professor.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Overview of the current flu season and why it stands out 
• H5N1 transmission of H5N1 and the factors making this season concerning alarming
• How humans have been infected this season 
• Assessing the current risk to kids
• Key actions primary care providers (PCPs) can take right now 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Firearms are the leading cause of death of kids in the United States, and in Colorado, there is at least one pediatric injury from a gun every day. In 2021, Colorado passed the safe storage bill which requires firearms to be safely stored when minors are present in the home. Despite this, many people don’t know how to provide the safest environment for children. Pediatricians can play a unique role in gun violence protection. That’s why the Colorado chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, alongside the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), have launched a new campaign called “Secure Their Future”. This new project aims to educate pediatric practices across the state on the importance discussing safe firearm storage with families 

To learn more about this program and how other states can replicate its efforts, we are joined by one of the leaders of this project, Caitlin Jones-Bamman, MD. Dr. Jones-Bamman is a pediatrician at Pediatrics 5280 and has been at the forefront of this project.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• What “Secure Their Future” is and how the initiative secured funding. 
• Understanding the unique role pediatricians play in protecting children from firearm-related risks. 
• Learning how cable locks work. 
• How other practices can adopt this model.   

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

One of humanity’s frailties is our tendency to view the world through the lens of what we’ve seen, lived through or experienced firsthand. That’s not to say we ignore things that happened in the past, but we may not give historical events equal weight or importance when compared to current events. In medicine, it’s important for us to recognize the vaccine preventable diseases we combatted in the past and apply those lessons to the future. In this episode, we reflect on the improvements and discuss how vaccine technology has improved global child heath over the last century.

Many current doctors have never treated some of these diseases firsthand but our three experts for this episode have. Drs. Jim Todd and Mimi Glode worked for decades at Children’s Hospital Colorado in infectious diseases. Dr. Todd is professor emeritus, and Dr. Glode is professor emerita at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Todd directed our department of epidemiology, and Dr. Glode directed our pediatrics residency program. Our third guest, Dr. Edwin Asturias, specializes in infectious diseases and is a professor of pediatrics. He helps direct our global health programs, has led many international vaccine research projects and currently serves as voting member of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP).

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• Their experiences treating patients with infections, such as chicken pox, meningitis and measles 
• Navigating current vaccine skepticism across the healthcare landscape 
• The changing attitudes of parents to toward pediatric vaccines over time  
• Learning how this history can help inform current infectious diseases 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Every child has an individual healthcare experience, but for marginalized communities like migrant families, they face some unique challenges in our healthcare system. From dealing with trauma to navigating a language barrier, working to get the right care can be complicated. At this year’s annual Children’s Hospital Colorado podcast live event, Charting Pediatrics took a close look at this topic. In this episode you will learn about acute clinical challenges, resource constraints, social needs, moral distress, impact on staff, child health policy, combating misinformation and more.

Steven Federico, MD, the Chief Government and Community Affairs Officer at Denver Health joined us for this special episode. His passion for improved and equitable healthcare is fueled by his experiences as a pediatrician and primary care physician at Denver Health, where he has worked since 2002. In his past role as medical director, he oversaw three community health centers and 19 school-based clinics that provide comprehensive physical and mental health care to 70,000 children across Denver. His advocacy work focuses on eliminating barriers to adequate health coverage and healthcare.  

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• The strains hospital and primary care settings have experienced with the 2024 surge in international migration to the United States 
• Effective strategies to deliver the best care for migrant children 
• Ways the medical community can prepare for and adapt to the possibility that patients and families may face deportation 
• Understanding the opportunities that exist to provide optimal care in different healthcare settings 

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Advances in technology, medical knowledge and the establishment of pediatric tracheary care institutions have helped revolutionize pediatric otolaryngology. For specialists in this field, watching the growth unfold has been an exciting adventure they’ve experienced firsthand while working on the frontlines. From genetic testing to targeted therapy and new procedures, the options are now vast compared to ten years ago. In this episode, we will explore the evolution of pediatric otolaryngology and what the future holds.

Kenny Chan, MD, specializes in pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is a previous section head for this division at the hospital, and although he retired from clinical practice in June 2024, he remains professor emeritus at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include: 

• The biggest enhancements in otolaryngology and how they’ve helped improve outcomes.
• Communication and collaboration with community providers to ensure kids are getting the best possible ENT care.
• What the future holds for this section of medicine.

For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.