Charting Pediatrics

Water is essential to a child's health, making up the majority of their body weight. But when illness or heat disrupts that balance, dehydration can set in quickly and dangerously. Despite being one of the most common pediatric issues, the simplest and most effective solution often goes unnoticed: oral rehydration. In this episode, we'll shine a light on this powerful yet underused therapy. From recognizing early warning signs to selecting the best approach, we'll explore the science and practical tools behind keeping children safely hydrated.

Joining us virtually from Iowa is Aamer Imdad, MD. He is a gastroenterologist at Stead Family Children's Hospital, as well as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The most common causes for dehydration
• Recognizing the most reliable clinical signs for identifying dehydration
• How oral rehydration solutions work and which ones to recommend for each patient
• When lab tests are helpful

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

Childhood obesity management has evolved far beyond the traditional advice of "eat healthier and move more." Today's clinical toolbox includes GLP-1 medications, behavioral health interventions, multidisciplinary lifestyle programs and bariatric surgery. These evidence-based tools can be complex, nuanced, and sometimes controversial, but they share a common goal: supporting young people in achieving healthier lives.

In this episode, we explore how modern treatment strategies come together to meet the needs of individual patients and families. Our guests discuss when and how to use these tools, the importance of coordinated care and what pediatricians should consider as this field continues to rapidly expand.

Jonathan Hills-Dunlap, MD, is the Director of Robotics Surgery as well as the Surgical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Children's Colorado. Megan Kelsey is the Medical Director of both Lifestyle Medicine and the Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program. Both are on faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The steps for being a bariatric surgery candidate
• How to best support obese patients and their journeys
• Why a multidisciplinary approach is necessary

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

Smartphones and tablets have become part of daily life for children and families, but their influence on sleep, attention, mood and overall development is increasingly under the microscope. From overstimulation and disrupted sleep patterns to rising concerns about anxiety and attention regulation, the research around screen time is rapidly evolving. In this episode, we take a closer look at the evidence behind how screens are shaping childhood and explore what pediatricians can do to help families find balance in an always-connected world.

Rachel Workman, MD, is a Pediatric Integrative Medicine Specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The negative impacts of screen time at a young age
• How parents can strategically intervene
• Why screen time is impacting development
• What the research tells us

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

Recently, leucovorin and acetaminophen have been at the center of new discussions in pediatric medicine. Could leucovorin really help some children with autism? Does the latest evidence suggest acetaminophen has any impact on neurodevelopment? In today's episode, we'll break down what the science actually tells us, what remains uncertain and how pediatricians can confidently guide families through these complex topics.

Joining us for this important discussion is Abigail Angulo, MD. She is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado. She is also an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The science behind autism
• The role of Tylenol in pregnancy and newborn development
• What leucovorin is used for and when it should be prescribed
• How to navigate difficult conversations with families who expect certain outcomes

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

Not every episode that looks like a seizure is one, and for pediatricians, distinguishing the difference can be challenging. Few moments in the clinic can feel as urgent, or as uncertain, as evaluating spells. In this episode, we unravel the mysteries of seizures and their mimics to prevent misdiagnosis and avoid unnecessary intervention.

This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Shavonne Massey, MD. She is a neurologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Differentiators between seizures and mimics
• What pediatricians can do when a child is experiencing a seizure
• Key factors they can look for during an exam
• Most common seizure mimics that present in children depending on age

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

Behind every medical breakthrough for kids is usually a long history of research advances. Research is incremental, and new therapies exist, thanks to questions that are asked in science laboratories. Those investigators not only asked the hard questions but also found the funding to answer them. What happens when that funding starts to disappear? Research drives progress in pediatric medicine from vaccines to breakthrough treatments for rare diseases. That progress is currently at risk. Cuts and cancellations in key federal research programs, including CDC and NIH funding, threaten to stall discoveries and disproportionately impact pediatric investigators. In this episode, we dig into what's happening with child health research funding, why it matters for every pediatrician, and where the greatest opportunities for advocacy lie.

For this episode, we are joined by two experts at the forefront of this conversation. Joe St. Geme, MD, is the Physician in Chief at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as the President of the CHOP Practice Association. He is also a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Zach Zaslow is the Vice President of Advocacy and Community Health at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The status of pediatric research funding
• How pediatric research directly impacts community pediatricians
• What current threats exist
• How providers can advocate for their patients and families

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

From playground falls to sports injuries, oral trauma is part of growing up. But when a tooth gets chipped, knocked out or a lip is cut, it can be stressful for families and challenging for providers. In this episode, we take a closer look at pediatric dental and oral trauma from the primary care perspective. We are focusing on what to look for, when to act and how to guide families through those anxious first moments after an injury.

This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Erica Brecher, DMD. She is a pediatric dentist with Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry and is on staff at Duke Children's Hospital. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Most common oral and dental traumas in kids
• How outcomes differ from baby teeth to permanent teeth
• What steps a pediatrician can take to save a tooth
• Why a strong partnership between the pediatric and dental home can improve outcomes

To access the dental trauma guide mentioned in this episode, click here. To access the app "Tooth SOS" click here. For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

Groin bulges, scrotal swelling, and nonpalpable testes are findings that often surface during routine well-child exams, and they can raise immediate questions for pediatricians and families alike. Is this normal? Will it resolve on its own? Or does it require surgical referral? In this episode, we take a closer look at three common genitourinary conditions in children: inguinal hernias, hydroceles, and undescended testes. We diagnose the details to help clarify the evaluation process, management strategies, and referral guidelines that every pediatrician should know.

This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Eric Bortnick, MD. He is a Urologist and Assistant Professor of Urology at the Yale School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• How common these conditions are in the pediatric population
• When pediatricians can make a difference in these patients lives, versus when referral is really necessary.
• Key takeaways to performing a successful physical exam
• Creating a safe space for proper diagnosis

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

The childhood immunization schedule is one of the defining pillars of pediatric practice and remains among the most successful public health achievements of the modern era. Yet, in recent months, the schedule and the systems that support it have faced new challenges, raising serious concerns for pediatricians across the country.

This episode was recorded live at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we discuss the latest AAP vaccine updates and the evolving landscape of childhood immunizations. Sue Kressly, MD, is a general pediatrician as well as the President of the AAP. Sean O'Leary, MD, is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Colorado and a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, otherwise known as the Red Book Committee.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The latest AAP immunization guidance and policy updates
• Changes currently impacting pediatricians
• Insight into the near future of vaccine distributions
• Strategies for combatting confusion and shifting vaccine confidence

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

Ocular complaints in children, such as a red or painful eye, sudden vision changes, or difficulty opening one eye, may be more than a minor concern. In pediatrics, these presentations can progress rapidly, and timely recognition is critical to preventing long-term vision impairment. A focused five-minute eye examination can often distinguish between emergent, urgent and routine conditions, making early assessment and intervention essential in the primary care setting.

This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Our guest is Donny Suh, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine, and Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• What a pediatrician can learn in five minutes
• The most common ocular injuries that pediatrician's encounter
• How pediatricians can support a patient before sending to a specialist
• How understanding a patient's history can help a pediatrician

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