Charting Pediatrics

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.

Picture this: You travel to the mountains, excited to take on your next big adventure, only to find yourself breathless, your stomach is churning and in the morning your head is throbbing. It's altitude sickness, otherwise known as acute mountain sickness. Here in Colorado, our mountain doctors experience this regularly, but patients don't always realize why they're experiencing these symptoms. In this episode, we dive into mountain myths, sleeping at altitude and how to combat this diagnosis.

In this episode we are joined by a community pediatrician who treats altitude sickness on a regular basis. Christine Ebert-Santos, MD, is a pediatrician at Ebert Family Clinic in Frisco, CO. Her practice sits at 9,026 feet above sea level. She is also a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Common symptoms of altitude sickness and how to manage them
• Understanding why only certain people experience the reaction, while others remain unaffected
• Debunking popular mountain myths
• How high altitude can impact sleep
• The role of pediatricians in educating patients about altitude sickness, even at sea level

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

Every year, thousands of people are added to organ transplant waiting lists, but not all patients have equal access to the life-saving procedures they desperately need. As transplant programs around the world continue to expand and improve, it's important for healthcare providers to consider potential disparities in care, all while working hard to create an even playing field for patients. Socioeconomic status, geography, wait times and access are just a few of the factors to keep in mind.

Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the top transplant programs for kids, with some of the best outcomes in the nation. In this episode, we welcome specialists from our heart, kidney and liver transplant programs. Pediatric cardiologist Melanie Everitt, MD, is the Director of Pediatric Heart Transplant. Margret Bock, MD, is the Medical Director of Kidney Transplant and specializes in pediatric nephrology. Amy Feldman, MD, is the Program Director of the Liver Transplant Fellowship, the Medical Director for the Liver Transplant Center, and she specializes in pediatric gastroenterology. All three of our experts also teach at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The current landscape of solid organ transplant in the United States and how the waitlists work
• Why some children have better access to these life-saving treatments than others
• How primary care providers can identify potential barriers ensure their patients have the best chance at receiving a transplant
• The evolution of live-donor liver transplant and how it's changing opportunities in pediatrics

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

Anaphylaxis is a serious, systemic hypersensitivity reaction with rapid onset and can be potentially fatal. It is frightening for patients, families and medical providers. Currently, the standard treatment is epinephrine as an injection. At this very moment, we are on the cusp of transforming how we treat severe allergic reactions. If approved by the FDA, a new sublingual form of epinephrine would be the first non-invasive and orally administered epinephrine treatment.

Joining us for this episode is Matthew Greenhawt, MD, the Director of the Food Challenge and Research Unit at Children's Hospital Colorado. He specializes in allergy and immunology and is also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The history of epinephrine
• Fears around needles and using an epi-pen
• How this new treatment could increase the life-saving capability of epinephrine
• Next steps to get the sublingual film into use

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

Podcasts have become one of the most popular content mediums, captivating millions worldwide. Their convenient, on-the-go format allows people to multitask while they listen. From entertainment to education, podcasts are changing the way people engage and interact with information. In medicine, they are changing the way residents are able to learn.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christopher Demas, a pediatrics chief resident with the University of Michigan Pediatrics Residency Program. Dr. Demas, inspired by Charting Pediatrics, created his own podcast made for and by residents, First Pediatrics.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Why Dr. Demas started his own podcast for residents
• The importance of changing how we learn and leveraging podcasts for education
• Understanding the way students learn today is different
• Why podcasts are shaping medical education

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

Around the country and across the globe, children's hospitals play an essential role in kid's health and well-being. They provide specialized care, crucial research, essential education and vital community outreach. As we kick off the new year, we take a deep dive into the evolving child health landscape to better understand what issues our patient families are currently facing and identify solutions for the future.

Joining us for this strategic conversation are three experts: Raphe Schwartz, Chief Strategy Officer at Children's Hospital Colorado; Rhae Gamber, associate principal at Sg2 Healthcare Intelligence; and Brian Thygesen is a senior partner in strategic transformation at Chartis.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The current demographics of pediatric healthcare and how that influences care
• How and why the workforce is vastly changing
• The current landscape of behavioral health
• The financial barriers and the role of Medicaid and other government programs

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

It's hard to fathom why certain children receive life altering diagnoses. Pediatricians simply want to help, and that help usually comes in the form of early diagnosis. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, otherwise known as Duchenne or DMD, is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in every 5,000 live male births. Early screening and identification can mean quicker access to care, early intervention programs and special education resources. Thanks to early diagnosis and advances in care, life expectancy is increasing.

Our guest joining us to discuss diagnosing and treating DMD is Michele Yang, MD, who specializes in pediatric neurology and neuromuscular medicine at Children's Hospital Colorado. She is also an associate professor of pediatric neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• How diagnosis of DMD has changed over the years.
• Understanding the new, advanced treatments that exist.
• Tips and tricks for primary care providers to utilize.
• Realistic outcomes for these kids with DMD.

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